You might want to find another set of analogies Jim. The airlines don't charge you for terminal access or lobby seating either. Some taxi drivers will charge you to take your luggage from the taxi to your door.
However, that being said, I'm not in agreement with Spirit's new policy. There does need to be some sort of enforcement of carry-on policies though. Too many carry-ons that make it on board which really don't fit where they're supposed to go.
Wasn't that long ago that carry-ons were fairly small pieces of luggage, smaller than most carry-ons are now. The public's pushed for lower fares, and larger carry-ons (especially to avoid luggage fees). You might say there already HAS been a backlash, but it's come from the airlines.
Personally, I would be fine with air fares going up $50 (on average) to cover things that used to be free (relatively speaking). It would save a lot of heartburn, but the public won't stand for it. Facts are a mere $10-20 difference in airfares decide the issue for most people, regardless of services rendered or extras.
Hopefully, what Spirit wants to do (and they ARE a no-fills, cut rate airline) will go about as far as the pay toilet idea someone had (Ryanair?)
Mars is correct to a point about airline profits, but only a few airlines are actually posting a profit, and none of those are looking at charging for carry-ons, that I can tell. The good airlines will see this as a breach of faith with their customers, and not look very hard at the idea. The bad airlines, well those would be mostly the cut rate ones, will look at every possible edge to make a few bucks.
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