Travelers be warned, Seattle based Alaska Airlines announced today that they will be charging $15 for the FIRST CHECKED BAG, $25 for the second bag and $50 for the third bag. Exempt from this rule are first class, MVP and MVP Gold Mileage Plan members, unaccompanied minors, military personnel on active duty and passengers traveling to or from Mexico City and Guadalajara, Mexico.
While the rule will not effect elite status flyers, Alaska Airlines is already well known by frequent flyers as having a huge problem with “gate lice” and this will only make it worse as most passengers jockey for position to carry on even more luggage. “Gate Lice” is a commonly used term for passengers who gather around the boarding gate in anticipation of the boarding call and make it difficult, if not impossible, for elite and first class flyers to board the plane.
The new rule will begin July 7, 2009 for tickets purchased beginning on May 1, 2009.
More details here.
