Photographers Urged To Protest United Airlines Baggage Policy
I received a disturbing message in my inbox this morning from photographer Norbert Wu, who pointed out that United Airlines has drastically changed their baggage allowances for all travel as of May 5, 2008.
Folks - we must do everything in our power to protest this potentially president setting action on the part of a major US airline.
It's bad enough that many airlines dropped their allowances from 70 lbs per bag to 50lbs. If all the airlines reduce the checked baggage allowance to 1 free bag, we will all be paying much more for extra baggage fees. My expenses for extra baggage fees have been reaching over $1,000 a year these days. I don't know about you, but I don't want that to increase beyond what it already is! It's bad enough that the service and dependability of the airlines is less than optimal, but as divers and photographers or videographers, we are frequent travelers and valuable customers and should be rewarded for our active status, not be penalized for it. Don't the airlines realize that they are putting up barriers to frequent travel in the quest to save or make a little more money and create more profitability after climbing out of several bad years in the "post 9/11" world of air travel. Then again, most leisure travelers do seem to travel with two checked bags, maybe this policy is broad sweeping and will affect everyone? Maybe it is a necessary revenue approach for the airline? I don't know. But I'm frustrated at the cutting of services and baggage allowances.
Granted, the baggage allowances on US-originating and destination based flights are greater than that of the rest of the world, so maybe we're a little spoiled to begin with.
On Wetpixel today, Norbert provided this information and a sample of a letter he wrote if that will make it easier for everyone to use as a guideline. But please, do send letters to let United know that they are affecting valuable travelers. Here are some addresses to write to:
Glenn Tilton , CEO, or
Pamela A. Coslet, General Manager, Customer Relations
United Airlines Customer Relations
P.O. Box 66100
Chicago, IL 60666
Phone: 877-228-1327
Fax 877-406-1059
You may also contact United Customer Relations via email. The direct link to the "contact us" page is: http://faq.ua2go.com/display/4n/kb/optiona...amp;r=0.3620066
"Here's the letter I just wrote. I am sending this via email, fax, and snail mail. It will take me 15 minutes to do all this. I encourage all of you to write similar letters.
Dear Sirs: I have been a United customer, and a Premier Executive member, for over 20 years. United is my favored airline. However, I must register my very strong opposition to your new baggage policy which limits certain customers to one bag at 50 pounds at no additional charge.
I am a photographer and a diver, rather than a lawyer or a Wall Street banker, and my Premier status proves that I am a valued customer to United Airlines. My profession and my interests require me to travel with more gear than a lawyer or investment banker. United is telling me that my profession is valued less than these other professions, and that United will charge me more than these other professions to travel, either when I am doing my job or traveling for pleasure.
I ask United to review this baggage policy, recognize it for the prejudicial and unfair policy that it is, and cancel this policy as you have cancelled numerous ill-thought policies in the past. I believe this policy to be hurtful to me as a customer despite the fact that it does not directly affect me at this time.
Thank you."
