American Airlines gotcha at DVinfo.net

Robert Lane · August 24th, 2009, 05:19 PM

In preparations for my upcoming Florida trip I went to the AA website to see what new things the airlines are trying to charge us for. Here's a quote from the AA website about professionals and their equipment:

"Audio/Visual Equipment
Camera, film, lighting, and sound equipment (up to a maximum of 115 in/292 cm and 100 lbs/45 kgs) will be charged a rate of $50.00 per piece when tendered by representatives of network or local television broadcasting companies, commercial film-making companies, professional photographers, the federal government, Department of Defense or the American Society of Media Photographers. These rates apply to travel within the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands."

Nice. I should have taken Southwest.

Pete Bauer · August 24th, 2009, 05:45 PM

Here's what Southwest says:

Southwest Airlines Travel Policies - Cameras and Film

Quote:

Camera, film, video, lighting, and sound equipment will be accepted when presented by a representative of a network or local television broadcasting company or a commercial filmmaking company. A fee of $50 will be charged for each item in excess of the free baggage allowance. Media equipment will not be assessed oversize or overweight charges.

Michael Wisniewski · August 24th, 2009, 08:29 PM

Those policies sound pretty fair. Some airlines have tried to charge me by the pound, which can be seriously expensive! US$50 per item above the normal baggage allowance or for special items sounds reasonable.

Daniel Weber · August 24th, 2009, 09:50 PM

That's why you fly a constant airline. I fly United as much as possible and I get 3 free bags at up to 70 lbs each. That doesn't include my carry on.

It pays to fly one airline as much as possible. Throw in the Economy Plus seating, free lounge access overseas, early boarding, etc. It makes traveling so much easier.

Daniel Weber

Anthony Arago · August 25th, 2009, 07:40 PM

Don't airlines always charge those fees for extra bags? I could be wrong, but I always thought they did.

Alister Chapman · August 26th, 2009, 02:29 AM

It's a good deal. Normally you are only allowed 23Kg for $50.

Jon Braeley · August 26th, 2009, 12:19 PM

Airlines are squeezing every single penny from anywhere they can find a reason, whilst at the same time cutting back on services, comfort and courtesy and friendliness - and I find this especially so with American this last few trips I made with them
Having said this, this year, I found myself and my camera crew flying on a domestic Indian flight from Bangelore to Veranassi with a stop in Delhi. Our plane arrived in Delhi 3 hours late, and the plane to Veranassi was 100 yards away on the tarmac about to take off. The flight crew realized this and pulled our group off the plane along with our luggage out of the hold - we were then escorted across the runway and hoisted by crane into the waiting plane!!
Now that was just fantastic. But I think this could only happen in India.

Bill Ward · August 27th, 2009, 12:39 PM

$50 a bag for media gear has been the going rate for some time now...but not every airline does it. Continental hardly at all without advanced permission, others ding you pretty hard...getting to $150-$200 a bag after 2 or three.

United has a pretty sweet deal for Premier Execs: 3 free bags, and no weight restrictions up to 70 pounds.

Even then, you always get a Gate Nazi or a clueless gate agent who stands there at the same counter where just last week you checked 8 bags at the "media rate" who announces in a loud voice: "I've been here 13 years, and we've NEVER had a media rate!" and hands you a ticket for $700.

Mugurel Dragusin · October 14th, 2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Braeley

Having said this, this year, I found myself and my camera crew flying on a domestic Indian flight from Bangelore to Veranassi with a stop in Delhi. Our plane arrived in Delhi 3 hours late, and the plane to Veranassi was 100 yards away on the tarmac about to take off. The flight crew realized this and pulled our group off the plane along with our luggage out of the hold - we were then escorted across the runway and hoisted by crane into the waiting plane!!
Now that was just fantastic. But I think this could only happen in India.

LOL, that was very funny; that is, for us the readers :P

Ed Kukla · October 14th, 2009, 05:36 PM

Robert

That $50 fee with those terms is much cheaper that you would normally pay for excess bags

August 24th, 2009, 05:19 PM	#1
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,823 Images: 15	American Airlines gotcha In preparations for my upcoming Florida trip I went to the AA website to see what new things the airlines are trying to charge us for. Here's a quote from the AA website about professionals and their equipment: "Audio/Visual Equipment Camera, film, lighting, and sound equipment (up to a maximum of 115 in/292 cm and 100 lbs/45 kgs) will be charged a rate of $50.00 per piece when tendered by representatives of network or local television broadcasting companies, commercial film-making companies, professional photographers, the federal government, Department of Defense or the American Society of Media Photographers. These rates apply to travel within the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands." Nice. I should have taken Southwest.

August 24th, 2009, 08:29 PM	#3
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Those policies sound pretty fair. Some airlines have tried to charge me by the pound, which can be seriously expensive! US$50 per item above the normal baggage allowance or for special items sounds reasonable. __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

August 26th, 2009, 02:29 AM	#6
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	It's a good deal. Normally you are only allowed 23Kg for $50. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

October 14th, 2009, 05:36 PM	#10
Ed Kukla Major Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: All over, USA Posts: 512	cheaper Robert That $50 fee with those terms is much cheaper that you would normally pay for excess bags

August 24th, 2009, 09:50 PM	#4
Daniel Weber Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 696	That's why you fly a constant airline. I fly United as much as possible and I get 3 free bags at up to 70 lbs each. That doesn't include my carry on. It pays to fly one airline as much as possible. Throw in the Economy Plus seating, free lounge access overseas, early boarding, etc. It makes traveling so much easier. Daniel Weber

August 25th, 2009, 07:40 PM	#5
Anthony Arago Tourist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pacifica, California Posts: 4	Don't airlines always charge those fees for extra bags? I could be wrong, but I always thought they did.

August 26th, 2009, 12:19 PM	#7
Jon Braeley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 528	Airlines are squeezing every single penny from anywhere they can find a reason, whilst at the same time cutting back on services, comfort and courtesy and friendliness - and I find this especially so with American this last few trips I made with them Having said this, this year, I found myself and my camera crew flying on a domestic Indian flight from Bangelore to Veranassi with a stop in Delhi. Our plane arrived in Delhi 3 hours late, and the plane to Veranassi was 100 yards away on the tarmac about to take off. The flight crew realized this and pulled our group off the plane along with our luggage out of the hold - we were then escorted across the runway and hoisted by crane into the waiting plane!! Now that was just fantastic. But I think this could only happen in India.

August 27th, 2009, 12:39 PM	#8
Bill Ward Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 580	$50 a bag for media gear has been the going rate for some time now...but not every airline does it. Continental hardly at all without advanced permission, others ding you pretty hard...getting to $150-$200 a bag after 2 or three. United has a pretty sweet deal for Premier Execs: 3 free bags, and no weight restrictions up to 70 pounds. Even then, you always get a Gate Nazi or a clueless gate agent who stands there at the same counter where just last week you checked 8 bags at the "media rate" who announces in a loud voice: "I've been here 13 years, and we've NEVER had a media rate!" and hands you a ticket for $700.