American to charge for FIRST checked bag.

[innerSpaceman]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

because if you don't someone else will.

Why?


Besides panic, that is?


If you know that "someone else will" three days after you do, what's the incentive to the the first someone that will???






American's advantage is over. Why did they bother?

Every airline knows that the minute they pull a stunt like this, all other airlines will be forced to follow. So why bother in the first place?


I don't agree with the assumption that "if you don't do it, someone else will." There's simply no sound business reason for this decision.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

There's simply no sound business reason for this decision.

Airlines are in the profit business as opposed to the goodwill business. They need to make money in a competitive environment. Which is why this is a sound business decision for thier bottom line.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

If you know that "someone else will" three days after you do, what's the incentive to the the first someone that will???

American's advantage is over. Why did they bother?

Every airline knows that the minute they pull a stunt like this, all other airlines will be forced to follow. So why bother in the first place?

I believe ultimately that this will have less impact than an announcement that "American Airlines raised their prices today." Silly, but I believe it to be true.