Delta to start charging for the first checked bag but has more price reductions

by Jamie Rhein on

As Grant posted, Delta and Northwest just dropped that fee from ticket prices. However, in the now you have it, now you don’t score card of the just how much money will this flight cost me anyway game, Delta will start charging passengers $15 for the first checked bag. This isn’t happening today, so no need to head to the money machine for extra cash just yet.

Starting on December 5, you’ll be rolling over that fuel surcharge savings into paying for the bag when flying domestically. The second checked bag will cost $25. If you purchased your ticket on Wednesday (yesterday), you won’t be charged for the first bag, but will pay $50 for the second if your trip happens to be when the charge would go into effect.

The fee doesn’t apply to everyone though. First class, business class, SkyMiles Medallion members and WorldPerks Elite members will be able to check up to three bags–up to 70 pounds each, without paying the extra charge.

But, here are changes that add money to passengers wallets. Starting today:

  • purchasing tickets over the phone from a reservations sales representative is now $20 instead of $25
  • redeeming SkyMiles or WorldPerks award travel over the phone is also $20 instead of $25
  • the curbside check-in fee of $3 is also dropped

Delta Airlines is making these changes in order to be aligned with Northwest Airlines’ policies as part of the merger.

Another change that was implemented last week to match Northwest’s price structure is that Delta passengers can purchase better seat assignments in coach for $5 to $25. Only 10% of the seats fit into the “coach choice seats” category so its not like people who don’t want to pay extra will be left with the dregs.

In looking at these changes it seems that the intention of the merger is to do the best possible job keeping the passenger happy while making money for the airlines. The charges could have gone the other way and Northwest passengers could have found their fees going up.

[Check out this AP article for more details. Photo by Andrei Dimofte ]

Obama-themed “Presidential Heritage Safari”

by Mike Barish on

Well, that was quick. Less than 24 hours after Barack Obama was elected to be the 44th president of these here United States, New York-based safari provider 2Afrika is touting their 11-day “Presidential Heritage Safari.” They’ll show you the sites of Kenya, the home nation of Barack Obama’s father, and generally capitalize on his popularity. Hey, it’s the American way.

According to 2Afrika, the trip will take you to “Nairobi, Mt. Kenya Forest, Lake Nakuru National Park, and the Maasai Mara Game Reserve for a fully inclusive Game Safari before heading northwest to the city of Kisumu…a mere stone’s throw away from the birthplace of Barack Hussein Obama, Sr.” You have to admire their creativity. The whole package will cost you $2,999 per person, so you may want to wait for President Obama to fix the economy first.

In other news, the “John McCain Bingo Vacation and Early-Bird Special Package” is now on sale. Dress socks with sandals will be provided.

Author Michael Crichton dead at 66

by Aaron Hotfelder on

Michael Crichton, author of several well-known novels like Jurassic Park and The Andromeda Strain, as well as the creator of the long-running television show ER, died Tuesday of cancer.

As a bit of a tribute, I thought I’d excerpt a part of Crichton’s book Travels, an autobiographical account of, among other things, his trips to the Mayan pyramids, the Malay jungle, and Mt. Kilamanjaro. Here’s Crichton on why we travel:

“Often I feel I go to some distant region of the world to be reminded of who I really am…. Stripped of your ordinary surroundings, your friends, your daily routines, your refrigerator full of your food, your closet full of your clothes, you are forced into direct experience. Such direct experience inevitably makes you aware of who it is that is having the experience. That’s not always comfortable, but it is always invigorating.”

Well said, as always. Rest in peace, fellow traveler.

Get thee to the White House!

by Annie Scott on

Planning a trip for Obama’s Inauguration? Expedia will help you.

Expedia has set up a whole host of tools to get you to D.C. and into a hotel, car, tours (don’t miss the FBI!), or whatever you need with as little hassle as possible.

The Expedia 56th Presidential Inauguration Site features travel tips like which airports are nearby, what suburbs to stay in if the city’s booked, and all kinds of activities to try, including a list of great free activities like the Inaugural Parade!

It’s going to be a momentous occasion in Washington D.C. and all over the country. Don’t you want to tell your grandchildren you were there?

The best advice I can give you? Book now. Like, today. Everything’s gonna fill up fast.

Woman goes crazy on United flight, is restrained with duct tape

by Jeffrey White on

It’s been a while since we’ve had one of these: A United flight crew had to restrain an unruly female passenger with duct tape after she broke out of her restraints and started attacking other passengers.

The Associated Press is reporting that Maria Esther Castillo will appear in court tomorrow to answer charges of resisting arrest and endangering an aircraft (the United flight she was on, from Chicago to Puerto Rico, had to make an emergency landing in North Carolina).

Here’s what happened on the flight this past Saturday.

A few passengers reportedly noted Castillo drinking in the airport bar in Chicago before the flight. She bought another drink on board, after which flight attendants refused to serve her because of how she was acting.

Castillo, 45, became unruly and had to be restrained with ankle cuffs, which kept slipping off.

At one point, she got loose, smacked a flight attendant in the rear end and then climbed up and jumped on the head of a blind passenger and began to pull the person’s hair, her arrest complaint says.

Finally, the crew broke out the duct tape and bound her arms and legs. She calmed, but became more aggressive when the law came on board in Charlotte to arrest her.

She’s not the only crazy woman in a plane. Click the images to learn more about zany “women of the sky.”