Northwest RIP-OFF
 

These scammers charge $190 US to check a bike on a flight. Make sure you check prior to departure what the charge is (most other airlines charge $50) or better yet, book with another airline because although there we some exceptions, most of the service staff were not friendly. I might be just as grumpy with impending Delta take over looming.

The charge is $175 and it's on NWA's website. How is it a ripoff when they publish it for everyone to see? And why do you think this charge is excessive? Have you priced how much it would be to ship your bicycle to your destination by UPS or FedEx?

Well, you see.....

that is what a person does when they take responsibility for themselves, like anyone should rather than get to the airport and say: "Well I did not know". "No one told me", "How was I supposed to know", "The last airline I flew did'nt charge me" "The last time I flew..."
If only I had a dollar for everytime I hear something like that. C'mon I am not saying the charges are good or right, but figure it out. Go to the website for any airline and it will give you specifics. I have no pity whatsoever for those who come up with the "I never heard about it routine". It's been nearly a year. Be proactive, if you do not want to pay, then take a carry-on or pay more to ship it on fed ex and send it ahead of time.

BTW, the bike fee used to be $50.00 each way with NW until the whole DL merger.

Sort of, hiding your fee schedule and policies
 

The question isn't does the airline disclose the given fee. More accurately, the question is how FORTHCOMING is the airline about their fees and, as I indicated in a previous post, policies that can rival the Internal Revenue Service Code. Are there any US-based airlines which make their entire fee schedule available at their kiosks? I don't think so. It's not that hard, or even expensive. Just attach a rack and fill it with one page flyers. Sounds crazy? Up until approximately 10 years ago banks, essentially, "hid" their fee schedule. After a lot of complaints the Feds stepped-in and, today, when you open an account, you are handed a fee schedule. Restricting the availability of a (airline) fee schedule to those who have the ability to use a computer, and access to one; and those who are able to read-through text written on a college level reading ability; and, finally, those who are willing to spend 30 to 45 minutes searching for the information is NOT disclosure in any reasonable sense. Suggesting this info is available on the phone is a joke. Assuming one is lucky enough to reach someone who's native language is English, the response to a request for a given fee will probably be a "hang-up."

Given the fee charged in this example this individual would have done better to take that bicycle to a UPS Store and have had it shipped. Certainly, with UPS or Fedex, there would be a smaller likelihood that the bike would be damaged; be stolen; or go missing.

Not expensive? Really? Paper flyers would become outdated the moment a single fee printed on them changed. Not to mention the number of trees wasted. It's starting to sound crazy.

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Restricting the availability of a (airline) fee schedule to those who have the ability to use a computer, and access to one; and those who are able to read-through text written on a college level reading ability; and, finally, those who are willing to spend 30 to 45 minutes searching for the information is NOT disclosure in any reasonable sense.

I was able to navigate to the correct page in under 30 seconds, not the 30 to 45 minutes you suggest. There is also a search function. Simply type in the word bicycle and, "viola!", there it is! Also, access to the internet is as close as one's public library. I also disagree with your assertion that the typical airline website, or any other e-commerce website, is written at a college level. If that were so, Southwest would sell very few tickets on their website!

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Suggesting this info is available on the phone is a joke. Assuming one is lucky enough to reach someone who's native language is English, the response to a request for a given fee will probably be a "hang-up."

I called Northwest customer service. Reached a US-based English speaking representative immediately, and had the answer to how much it would cost for a bicycle in just over 3 minutes.

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Given the fee charged in this example this individual would have done better to take that bicycle to a UPS Store and have had it shipped. Certainly, with UPS or Fedex, there would be a smaller likelihood that the bike would be damaged; be stolen; or go missing.

Agreed! :)

Common!...Really?
 

I agree that the price menu of bags and other fees is silly when one thinks about the complexity of it. BUT IT IS published. Sure an airline can list all the fees on a big poster in front the ticket counter but that is assuming some passengers will actually read it. I personally know of some fees that were posted in broad day light, excuse my expression, and most passengers were still were surprised by the fees, as though ignorance were to excuse the behavior.

I hate the fees and they should be simplified but posting them in front where everyone can see them is a genuine waste of money. Like the restroom sign that many seem to miss.

Yes the same goes for BAggage Loss or Delay Laws. They bury how much they owe you if they delay or lose your bag. It is not by accident!! Imagine if it was posted clearly you could collect up to $3300 for delayed or lost bags.You tell me is NW hiding things ???

Hey investive guy YES!!! NWA is hiding the fact that they no longer exist!!! Ever hear of the DL / NW merger about 1 1/2 years ago???? Perhaps you should go back to PI school Jeez!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Oh, MY BAD looked at other posts and see this troll put the same crap on all airline sites. Get a life idiot guy or at least a job!!!!!!!