Comments on: How airlines are defrauding the government with surcharges http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/how-airlines-are-defrauding-the-government-with-taxes-and-surcharges/ The last honest travel site Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:50:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dave http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/how-airlines-are-defrauding-the-government-with-taxes-and-surcharges/comment-page-1/#comment-6793 Dave Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:06:58 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5445#comment-6793 I don't think the airlines can make such assumptions. I'd rather save $15 (or whatever) than be served a tastefree airline meal and pay $15 more. I can eat before I get on the plane and/or carry my own food. Likewise with the baggage. Many people can pack lighter if they have to, and those who can't should be willing to pay more for the extra service. I don't know, however, if some of these charges are being used as a way to avoid taxes or contractual obligations the companies may have. I can see lawsuits coming on those matters. The "fuel surcharge" is surely simply bait and switch, and I really wonder how long that can remain legal, if it is. I don’t think the airlines can make such assumptions. I’d rather save $15 (or whatever) than be served a tastefree airline meal and pay $15 more. I can eat before I get on the plane and/or carry my own food. Likewise with the baggage. Many people can pack lighter if they have to, and those who can’t should be willing to pay more for the extra service.

I don’t know, however, if some of these charges are being used as a way to avoid taxes or contractual obligations the companies may have. I can see lawsuits coming on those matters. The “fuel surcharge” is surely simply bait and switch, and I really wonder how long that can remain legal, if it is.

]]> By: Matthew B http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/how-airlines-are-defrauding-the-government-with-taxes-and-surcharges/comment-page-1/#comment-6789 Matthew B Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:24:10 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5445#comment-6789 I think that consumer protection law should be invoked to require the airlines only to advertise the final price based on a realistic set of assumptions. My assumptions would be: non-refundable coach fare, all applicable taxes and airport/government charges, 1 x 20 kg checked bag per passenger, 300 mL of water per passenger per hour of the flight, 1 main meal for flights greater than three hours, 1 main meals and one snack ffor flights greater than six hours, and 2 main meals and one snack for flights greater than 9 hours. I don't think that it is reasonable to expect that someone must fly from New York to Honolulu without sustenance or checked luggage. I think that consumer protection law should be invoked to require the airlines only to advertise the final price based on a realistic set of assumptions. My assumptions would be: non-refundable coach fare, all applicable taxes and airport/government charges, 1 x 20 kg checked bag per passenger, 300 mL of water per passenger per hour of the flight, 1 main meal for flights greater than three hours, 1 main meals and one snack ffor flights greater than six hours, and 2 main meals and one snack for flights greater than 9 hours. I don’t think that it is reasonable to expect that someone must fly from New York to Honolulu without sustenance or checked luggage.

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