Senators: Halt bag fees to reduce airport screening lines
Monday, 11 May, 2016
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A solution to help reduce long screening lines at airports: waive all fees for checked bags.
That is the novel approach being mooted by US Senators Edward Markey and Richard Blumenthal.
The senators have asked a dozen major airlines to drop fees for checked bags during the busy summer season.
They say this alone will not eliminate the long lines but will go some way in easing wait times.
Unsurprisingly, the airline industry is less than enthusiastic about losing out on big money generated by bag fees.
Trade group Airlines for America said it was a misguided notion that would inevitably result in higher base fares to offset the loss of bag fee revenue.
A4A says the onus is on theTransportation Security Administration to ensure sufficient staffing of agents at the busiest airports and making the PreCheck expedited screening program sign up more attractive for frequent flyers.
According to government statistics bag fees generated more than $3.8 billion last year.
Markey and Blumenthal said the TSA had told them passengers using security checkpoints close to airline desks that charge bag fees have an average of 27% more carry on baggage in order to avoid paying fees.
A4A recently launched the iHateTheWait website and hashtag aimed at getting passengers to post photo evidence of long screening lines at airports to encourage lwmakers to act.
Screening lines are now typically 90 minutes or more at major airports and most airlines are advising customers to check in a minimum two hours prior to departure.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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