When Spirit Airlines announced plans to charge passengers for carry-on baggage, I attempted to change their mind…

Dear Those that Fly with Spirit:

I read a Barron’s article that said Spirit Airlines will charge up to $45 for carry-on luggage unless it can be stowed under the seat like a briefcase. Spirit Chief Executive, Ben Baldanza, was quoted as saying in response to criticism generated by the idea, “Nobody brings their package to FedEx or UPS and expects them to ship it for free.” In response to Ben Baldanza, I’d like to respectfully say, “Balderdash!”

Mr. Baldanza might have a point if Spirit were a shipping company like FedEx or UPS. Your job is to transport passengers. The carry-on is part of the passenger just like in basketball where the hand is part of the ball. Unfortunately, there isn’t a person on the planet that doesn’t come with additional baggage. Everyone knows people bring extra baggage on planes and I’m not just talking about spouses. Many of them are already paying for that in other ways, but that shouldn’t be any of your business, so let’s keep it that way.

If Mr. Baldanza equates charging people who bring packages on board with packages brought to FedEx or UPS — and wants to compete with them in shipping — just charge people that bring packages onto your planes extra and tell them they won’t be landing for 1 to 3 days. However, this charge shouldn’t apply to carry-on baggage!

How does Mr. Baldanza explain why there have never been price tags on the storage areas above seats if carry-on baggage wasn’t meant to be free? Isn’t that like changing the rules in mid-flight? Can you please ask him to reconsider this charge and write me back with his decision?

In the Spirit of flying, keep carry-on charges grounded!

Spirit Airlines Corporate Consumer Relations responded with:

Good afternoon,

Thank you for your correspondence with Spirit Airlines regarding our new charge for carry-on bags.

In order to continue reducing fares even further and offering customers the options of paying only for the services they want and use rather than subsidizing the choices of others, we are progressing to the next phase of unbundling with this introduction of carry-on bag fees. In addition to lowering fares even further, this will substantially reduce the number of carry-on bags, which will improve in-flight safety and efficiency by speeding up the boarding and deplaning process, all of which ultimately improve the overall customer experience.

For more information in regards to our new carry-on bag policy, please visit us at http://www.spiritair.com/Policiesbags.aspx.

We appreciate your feedback and look forward to offering you our lowest fares yet! Have a great day.

Final Thoughts: Even though Spirit responded with a form letter, they clearly stated their policy and intentions. But since when is carry-on baggage considered a service? They don’t carry it on for you! What’s next — insert 50¢ into the shade to enjoy the “Lookout Your Window Service”? Besides, the bins were designed to hold carry-on bags in the first place and passengers never paid for them before. For $45 they should carry me on board! Better yet, since the bins aren’t going to be used as much anymore, why not offer a $45 fare and let passengers that fit ride in there since that’s what the space is now determined to be worth? There would most likely still be enough room in there for a carry-on, too.

I can see where less carry-on bags will improve in-flight safety. But so would stronger bin locks. I can also see how fewer carry-on bags will speed up the boarding and deplaning process. Why not make it more fun rather than restrictive? Instead of charging up to $45 for carry-ons, charge full fare and announce that if everyone on the plane gets their carry-on bags stored away and themselves into their seats in 10 minutes or less from the start of boarding, they each receive $22.50 in cash when they get-on and/or get-off for a potential $45 total savings bonus. In other words, don’t take the money in advance, make it so either you or we earn it. Plus, people will probably even help one another. Now, that’s the Spirit!

Spirit talks about offering customers “the options of paying only for the services they want and use rather than subsidizing the choices of others.” It’s this fee mentality that irks me the most! If you’re going to do that, at least be more creative and incentivize passengers with some charges they can choose on their own to reduce their fares. For example: Take $20 off for middle seats. No one wants to sit in those unless two Victoria’s Secret models are on both sides if you’re male or Calvin Klein underwear studs if you’re female. Usually you end up between someone that invades your airspace because they’re so big and a guy that needs to be sprayed down with Lysol. Deduct $45 for the last three rows where you can smell the bathroom every time the door opens. Turn a couple of rows into benches and charge $60 less to sit there. Airlines will save on cushions and seat costs while fitting more people in a row. Offer a $5 refund for not using utilities like the light or air conditioning. Just quit nickel-and-diming everyone with forced fees and no choice!

Finally, Spirit says they’re lowering fares even further. That’s today! They can increase those fees as quickly as they lowered them, but they’ll still be charging for carry-on bags. Apparently, not all passengers see this carry-on charge as a negative. In a TheStreet.com article, CEO Ben Baldanza says bookings have risen 50% for after August 1 when the policy takes effect.

Here’s where you can learn more about flying Spirit Airlines. However, when you have reservations regarding the policies of anyone you pay to provide a service, make sure to Write The Company.