Jake, Maddie and I recently traveled to Florida for our summer vacation and decided that rather than drive, we would enjoy the luxury of flying. I fly somewhat regularly but usually it's just me, not the entire family. We have been in dire need of new luggage for quite sometime and after our trip to Montana, Jake vowed that never again would we take that set of luggage with us anywhere.
I made a trip to Costco for some very reasonable and sturdy Samsonite luggage that consisted of the new, plastic-like material that gives the luggage a hard shell, as opposed to the cloth that we had previously owned and recently threw away. I thought I had really made a wise investment with my purchase of one large piece and a smaller, carry-on bag, both complete with wheels that rolled in all directions!! Saturday night prior to our Sunday afternoon departure, we began packing. Jake and I had planned on sharing the "big" bag and Maddie would have the smaller carry-on bag. We had paid for a checked bag and a carry on bag with our tickets. As we were packing, I started to vaguely recollect that Allegiant Air had recently implemented a 40lb baggage rule. You could go over but then you were subject to the "at-airport" fees that are upward of $50 regardless of being overweight one pound or twenty. This now "big" bag that was stuffed full, needed to be reduced to 40lbs or under. Once we culled it down to what appeared on the scale to be under 40, the clothing items remaining shifted willy-nilly in the bag--there was room for so much more!! Maddie's carry-on would not be weighed but then again, only so much would fit in it! I panicked! What were we going to do?! Jake hates to fly, and this kind of stuff drives him nuts!
In comes the Sunday morning Costco run to purchase yet another carry-on sized bag for my stuff while Jake's clothes swam comfortably around in the large bag that could have easily held another person's wardrobe but for the weight limit. Bag purchased, we switch everything out before leaving and proceed to the airport and subsequently to the counter to check the bags.
The line was out the door and at least 40 people deep. Jake comments on how glad he is that our bags are squared away so that we don't have to deal with the nonsense that others in front of us are going through. Our turn arrives and the first bag goes on the scale...the "big" bag--OH $H*+!--this bag is STILL 3 lbs. overweight. The second checked carry-on goes on the scale and its only 35 lbs. but stuffed so fat that the zipper is screaming for mercy. The gal behind the counter offers the suggestion to switch items from "big" bag to a smaller bag...great idea but no room in the smaller bag. Jake is now breathing loudly through his nose and color is creeping up his neck. We are THOSE people despite our efforts otherwise!! Bags are unzipped, clothes, toiletries removed...those items of course can't go in our carry-on where there is room, because they exceed the liquid ounce requirements! It's like doing Algebra homework for the first time, as we try to put together the right formula! Finally, the gal behind the counter "passes" our bags and puts them on the belt as we realize we have no identification on any of the bags! Now, Jake worries that our bags will be profiled due to our piss-poor attitude at the gate. I assure him that airport workers don't profile...the TSA assures us of that! We move on to the gate, wondering if our luggage will make it or split under the pressure. As for the big bag, we are certain that someone has plenty of room to climb inside and stow-away to Florida.
My questions are a) why can't airlines just charge per pound? It's obvious they don't care about how much you carry, regardless of what they say. No reason for someone who's three pounds over to be charged the same as someone 50 lbs. over as it appears is the current case. b) why can't your bags be an aggregate amount on direct flights? If you purchase and pay to have two bags checked, one could be 60 lbs. and the other 20 lbs...who cares what goes where if it really IS about safety? c) if weight is so important why aren't there "official" scales at strategic areas of the airport where you can weigh your bag without hundreds of eyes piercing your back as you hold up the checking-in process?
Safely landed and at home it's a little more humorous to reflect on the situation, but how unfortunate that it was the beginning memory of our summer vacation. If airlines want passengers to continue to fly and to travel, then common-sense requirements need to be established for everyone's benefit and safety. Maybe I'm just missing some of the tricks to traveling...I'm sure it's just a matter of time before people are going to be charged for how much they weigh...Thank goodness I started back at the gym last week, I've got a trip to Vegas in the near future! :)
Brooke
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