Thu, Apr 15, 2010
"National Call To Action" In Response To Spirit Airlines
Announcement
This might be somehow appropriate
for tax day. Flyers Rights.org has responded to a recent
announcement by Spirit Airlines that it will be charging passengers
for the privilege of placing their luggage in the cabin's overhead
storage bins by calling upon Congress to ban such practices
permanently. Also, in light of a recent announcement by Irish
carrier RyanAir that it will begin charging passengers for
in-flight bathroom us the group also urged Congress to prohibit
U.S. carriers from doing likewise.
"The commercial airlines have reached a new low by attempting to
charge passengers for the right to place their luggage in the
overhead bins," Flyers Rights President and Founder Kate Hanni said
in a news release Wednesday. "It seems they will continue try and
squeeze out every dollar they can from passengers, regardless of
economic hardship, inconvenience or humiliation."
Spirit Air, according to their announcement, plans to charge $45
each way for the use of overhead luggage bins by passengers. The
fee drops to $30 for customers who reserve a spot before arriving
at the gate, either online or at the ticket counter. Members of the
Spirit Fare Club will have to pay $20. This is in addition to their
current policy of charging anywhere from $15 - $90 for checked
luggage.
"The reasons why the U.S. has
become the 'Land of the Fee' when it comes to air travel is simple:
fees are treated differently than other revenue, in terms of the
taxes they have to pay to fund the national aviation system," added
Hanni, "So not only do these latest gimmicks harm passengers they
are shortchanging all of us by skirting their responsibility to
help maintain and upgrade our nation's aviation
infrastructure."
Ryanair has begun retrofitting their fleet of airliners to begin
charging passengers for the "privilege" of using their onboard
restroom during flights. Passengers will pay approximately $1.40
each time nature calls while flying. In addition, three of the four
restrooms currently on their airplanes will be removed to make
space for additional seats.
The organization has established an online petition against the
practices.
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