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No-Fly List Drama And Baggage Fee Trauma At United's 'Easy Check-in'

August 24, 2009 at 2:39 PM | by juliana | 3 Comments

Easy check-in, huh? Not so easy if you're name happens to be (innocently) on the No Fly List.

We've told you before our thoughts on the perils of The No Fly List when folks with similar names to those on the No Fly List are prevented from checking their bags online. Meaning they have to show up to the airport early and wait in line to check-in (the kiosks will not suffice) where an agent will then verify their birth date and address.

As you can imagine, this is a huge pain and adds at least an extra hour to your travel time. But in this new dark age of checked baggage fees, airlines now charge you MORE to check your bags at the airport instead of online. Grandma and Grandpa who don't have internet connections will find themselves paying more. So will folks who spend the day before their flight doing activities out of cellphone and internet range (God forbid!). Also, an an innocent person whose name is similar to someone else's on the No Fly list is, for lack of a better expression, screwed.

This happened last Friday to our traveling partner at United Airlines. He was able to check us in and our bag for $15 but because of the No Fly List the airline would not let him check in online. So he checked in at the airport and the front desk agent told him the charge to check his bag would be $20. Our friend told the desk agent that the $20 fee was unfair, especially since he was able to check us in online for $15. He tried to check in but the airline forced him to do it at the airport so why should he be penalized another $5?

The agent simply said, "Go to speak our supervisor at the end there."

So we shuffled to the end of the desk with our friend. Fortunately there was only one other person in line. The "supervisor" told us he wasn't actually a supervisor but that he did have the power to charge our friend only $15 instead of $20. So that's how you get out of paying $20 if your name is innocently on the No Fly List.

However, this story doesn't have a happy ending. United proceeded to send our friend's bag onto Chicago. Our final destination was Maui. He had to go 24 hours without his luggage, borrowing boxers and a button down from his 75-year-old father. Thanks, United.

Related Stories:
· Does Your Common Last Name Often Put You On The No-Fly List? [Jaunted]

3 Comments

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Return to » No-Fly List Drama And Baggage Fee Trauma At United's 'Easy Check-in'

  1. Stuart Gustafson

    Jaunted Reader

    that's the beauty of carrry-on luggage

    I empathize with your issues on United Airlines (where I have over 735,00 actual, PAID FLIGHT MILES). My wife and I have now converted to carry-on luggage for EVERY flight. We went to Europe for 28 days -- we each took a 21" carry-on and a back pack. No luggage to check, to pay fees for, or to wait until it is sent to the ACTUAL destination. That is what we'll do for our annual two-weeks to Mexico in February.

    But what about laptop, books, etc.? Easy -- I have a light-weight netbook with built-in WiFi for our connectivity. My wife has a new Kindle2 that she uses for her books instead of lugging a dozen or so along with us.

    You eally only need a couple changes of clothes -- you can wash them, and you can even buy a new shirt or blouse if you need something extra. If you buy a lot of stuff on the trip, then ship that home. But at least you get to your destination WITH your bags, without paying extra, and bypassing the luggage carousel.

    Happy travels,
    Stuart Gustafson, author
    www.stuartgustafson.com

    August 24, 2009 at 2:56 PM
    #Permalink

  1. mv1009

    Jaunted Member

    Good point Stuart

    ...but what about liquids that you cannot bring in your luggage? The little bit of product provided by the hotel is never enough for two weeks or if you do have to buy something at the hotel it is so expensive!
    August 24, 2009 at 3:18 PM
    #Permalink

  1. Linda Colsh1

    Jaunted Reader

    extra charges for airport check in

    And if you live overseas (US passport), you cannot check in (you or your bags) on line either. So, the fee is unavoidable. Why do the airlines ask for all this very bad will to be heaped on themselves--just increase the fares and eliminate all the very, very oh-so-annoying extras. It is not as if we can't see what is going on.
    August 25, 2009 at 11:17 AM
    #Permalink

Return to » No-Fly List Drama And Baggage Fee Trauma At United's 'Easy Check-in'

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