Feb 7, 2008
United Airline's decision to charge $25 for the second suitcase checked per flight, is the best thing that's happened to travelers in years
We all take too much clothing and other paraphernalia when we travel. We pack every conceivable outfit for every possible occasion and end up devoting half our time to laboriously packing and unpacking multiple suitcases. We become beasts of burden, sweating that luggage into a taxicab, dragging it up stairs and down, paying for porters to carry it. And we discover at the end of the trip that we haven't used 80% of the items we've packed. We have dragged around two heavy cases of unworn, useless apparel.
They travel best who travel light. There is no better travel sensation than the joy of moving from place to place in carefree fashion, with one small suitcase lightly packed. That's why I think -- contrary to the reactions of others -- that this week's decision by United Airlines to charge $25 for a second checked suitcase every time you fly (and $50 if you lug that second suitcase round-trip) is a good thing. It will create happier travelers.
The new policy will undoubtedly be adopted by other airlines; it will bring them a considerable amount of additional income. If what it also does is persuade the smart traveler to travel light, to limit their luggage to one small suitcase, then it will set off a spasm of travel happiness. People will learn they are happier when they travel light, that they become light-hearted and carefree, that they avoid porters and taxicabs, that they are able to shop around when it comes to choosing a hotel; that they need not collapse in sweat at the first lodging they see.
So to all you greedy, fee-charging, profit-hungry execs at United Airlines: thank you.
Write and read comments about this post.
They travel best who travel light. There is no better travel sensation than the joy of moving from place to place in carefree fashion, with one small suitcase lightly packed. That's why I think -- contrary to the reactions of others -- that this week's decision by United Airlines to charge $25 for a second checked suitcase every time you fly (and $50 if you lug that second suitcase round-trip) is a good thing. It will create happier travelers.
The new policy will undoubtedly be adopted by other airlines; it will bring them a considerable amount of additional income. If what it also does is persuade the smart traveler to travel light, to limit their luggage to one small suitcase, then it will set off a spasm of travel happiness. People will learn they are happier when they travel light, that they become light-hearted and carefree, that they avoid porters and taxicabs, that they are able to shop around when it comes to choosing a hotel; that they need not collapse in sweat at the first lodging they see.
So to all you greedy, fee-charging, profit-hungry execs at United Airlines: thank you.
Write and read comments about this post.
Fifty years ago, 
Arthur Frommer is generally acknowledged to be the nation's foremost travel authority. He is the founder of the
