To carry or check?

I’m sure that any and every frequent flyer has noticed the increased number of carry-on bags per flight. With the new check-in fee policies, more and more passengers choose to carry-on their luggage than to pay $15-$50 to check it in. And with understaffed airlines, the hassle of increased carry-ons is taking its toll on both staff and customers.

Is this affecting peoples’ willingness to fly? If there is any possibility of this, perhaps there is another solution that (in particular) local airlines can use to maximize the amount of flyers traveling inter-island. Since there are only 2 airlines that fly inter-islands (after the go! Mokulele merger), and airfare is expected to rise, baggage fees may greatly impact flying.

Ken Richards, a surgeon quoted in “Carry-on Space Scarce Due to Fees,” suggests that airlines charge customers for carry-on bags instead of check-ins. This solution presents the understanding that the airlines’ needs to make money, but also takes the passengers’ comfort into consideration. He observes that businessmen and people who have tight schedules would gladly pay for the convenience of carry-on space, and the fees will encourage people to check-in their one bag before incurring fees. This prevents passengers from getting hit in the head with bags and saves over worked staff from the stress and chaos of passengers fighting for over-head space.

I think this strategy would be effective. Not necessarily in bringing more flyers to the skies, but it would stop people from not flying. At this point in the economy, after one airline merger and higher airfares, airlines should be very careful with all of their policies. Personally, if one airline used this policy, I would choose that airline over one that didn’t. Just food for thought! Shoots cuz, we go.