Nothing zaps the fun out of travelling faster than an one-hour long wait at the airport check-in counter.
Even with online check-in options and free-standing kiosks, the process of getting your documents scanned before handing over your bags can be time consuming and honestly, pretty irritating.
Two American politicians think they may have found a way to drastically cut wait times during the check-in process, but it’s drummed up a fair bit of controversy.
Massachusetts Democrat Edward Markey and Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal have suggested that airlines should drop their baggage fees to cut back on cues.
While this method wouldn’t entirely remove check-in queues, it could significantly reduce the wait time.
It sounds pretty simple and we know travellers wouldn’t mind it (they’d love it).
However, airlines see the suggestion as an attempt to regulate their business and may even make travelling more expensive.
A spokesperson for American Airlines explained carriers would be forced to offset their loss in baggage fees into fares, which would only punish those that stick to the luggage limits.
According to 2014 figures, US airlines made some US$2.6 billion in baggage fees ALONE for the first three months of the year. If airlines moved that figure into fares, Australians wouldn’t be able to enjoy those incredibly low airfares to the US currently making headlines.
Instead, the AA spokesperson said it would be more beneficial for extra staff to be rostered on at busy airports during peak hours.
