Much more carry-on baggage means major costs for Transportation Security Administration

In accordance with the WA Post, airline passengers who do not like how much luggage check-in fees have ballooned are increasing the number carry-on baggage that must be inspected. The costs for inspecting the additional carry-ons are forcing the Transportation Security Administration to flex its spending budget to the max, which will eventually mean that taxpayers might be footing the bill. In accordance with Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano, the influx of carry-on baggage is costing approximately $ 260 million per year.

More carry-on luggage demands much more safety

So long as carry-on baggage fits an airline’s parameters, travelers have the right to bring it aboard. Sen. Mary Landrieu is the Senate Appropriations subcommittee chairwoman. Napolitano said to her that nothing comes free:

“When you have to pay to check a bag, it increases carry-on luggage, and that means there is more to inspect at the gate and so forth for passengers to get on planes,” she said.

Absorbing costs is important for the TSA to continue to function. Deciding who will cover the carry-on baggage costs is important right now. It will either be the airlines or United States working class individuals. Putting higher airport safety fees on airline tickets was a suggestion Napolitano had for Sen. Landrieu. Simply adding $5 to $10 a ticket would significantly help pay for the Transportation Security Administration. Napolitano states that $600 million a year would be added this way.

Decision from Congress on airport security fees hasn't come through yet

It is not new to put on an airport safety fee. Everyone has dealt with them. Annually it is proposed. It first started in 2002. However, Congress has not approved the airline ticket cost increase. The first profitable year since 2007 for the airline industry was reported due to fewer flights, higher ticket prices and other charges. Government estimates place 2011 airline profits at $5 billion and $5.6 billion in 2012. Perhaps Congress doesn’t want to push its luck with much more fees.

Luggage policies for economy air carriers

Check the baggage policies of your airline. You will want to know this before you get to the gate. It is really essential to know what is free and what costs money. Make sure you keep up with this. Generally wheelchairs will not count towards luggage and are free. Certain airlines allow children’s strollers for free without counting as part of the baggage allowance. Most don't allow extremely heavy baggage. This counts anything over 100 pounds. Most economy air carriers have these baggage policies:

• Southwest- Two checked bags up to 50 pounds each are free. Extra and oversized luggage ranges from $25 to much more than $100.
• JetBlue- One bag weighing 50 pounds or less might be checked for free. The second checked bag costs $50. Up to a 40-pound carry-on luggage piece is also free. One can be checked for free. Excess or oversized pieces run $50 to $100.
• Virgin America- First checked bag costs $25 and may weigh up to 70 pounds. Subsequent check-ins up to 50 pounds is $25. Excess and oversized bags run $10 to $50 each.

Articles cited

About.com Air Travel

airtravel.about.com/od/whatyoucancantpack/a/stuff2.htm

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/03/AR2011030305679.html?wprss=rss_print/asection

Cenk Uygur vs. Ana Kasperian on carry-on luggage

youtube.com/watch?v=vrM2eOnheo0