Alaska Air's New Baggage Policy

[Surf Hunter]

If I am reading this right, we are gonna be screwed for the upcoming La Paz trips.
Looks like sporting goods will be charged and only one checked bag is free unless you fly first class or are going to Alaska.
I really hope i am reading this wrong:
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air - Checked Baggage

[Alrock805]

This concerns me because Dennis (aka 10foot) are traveling to La Paz (T minus 67 days!) in July. Looks like there are two primary categories for this "new" baggage restriction: folks who've paid on or before May 1st and folks who've paid after May 1st.

Since I bought our tickets in Feb it looks like we made the cut and can check our bags per the old baggage guidlines. Furthermore, I read this interesting tid bit of information: "One item of fishing equipment will be accepted free of charge in addition to the free baggage allowance - see "Fishing Equipment" below for definition."

The "one item" is actually two rods, two reels, and a tackle bag. I assumed, and I know i did this when i flew Alaska to Cabo, that rod cases were INCLUDED as a checked item. Not that im planning on checking in more than a cooler and rodcase.

And what the funny thing is, it doesnt seem to matter how many items are checked but just as long as each item doesnt wiegh more than 50 lbs.

Im still very confused.

[PilotLight]

Tom and Allan, looks to me that any travel after July 1, will follow the new restrictions.

The baggage rules and fees noted below apply to tickets purchased on or after May 1, 2008, for travel on or after July 1, 2008.
For baggage limitations applying to tickets purchased prior to May 1, 2008, or all travel prior to July 1, 2008, please refer to the baggage section of our Contract of Carriage.

We didn't have any extra charges 2 weeks ago, but looking at fuel costs, it doesn't surprise me a bit. Hope you guys get 'em like we did. Good luck and Godspeed on your trip.
Kel

[stubbs]

I read it differently.

If you purchased a ticket on or after May 1 and your travel date is after July 1, you will get hit by the new fees. In this case if you purchased a ticket today and travel on June 30th, you will not get hit with the fees. Though if you purchase a ticket today and travel on July 2 you will get hit by the fees.

If you purchased your ticket before May 1, you will be fine...no fees....

While I'm no contract lawyer, I believe once you purchase the tickets with Alaska you have a binding contract with them. Any changes to the contract, they must notify you and give you an opt out policy without penalty. If you booked before May 1 your contract is based on the previous baggage stipulations.

I'm actually headed to La Paz in November....and while tickets were expensive, I booked a couple weeks ago....so I should be free from fees.

[moogie]

Ya, the problem is trying to understand what their rules are. Everyone seems to have their own interpretation of them.
We went through this before the new policies came out. There were questions about the rod tubes then too.
It seems to me that the 115 inches thing is the key. I don't believe that we'd be charged extra for the tube.

To me, the only thing that's changed is one free bag instead of two, so I'd be prepared to pay an extra $50.

I don't like it, but it won't stop me from bringing my own gear.
It was only a matter of time before they got everyone.
Moog.

[Surf Hunter]

Yeah, we are just going to consolidate. since three of us are going in late july, we are going to check one large bag with all our stuff, one rod tube and the cooler, the clothes, we will just do a carry on so we should be cool.
It just means I can't bring the rods I wanted too. so i think we will nix the three 20lb outfits and bring three 30lb rigs, 1 40lb rig for pargo and then our 3 10lb rigs for the shore fishing. That should work eh?

[bunner]

I would rather pay and actualy get my property and then i wouldn't worry as long as it returns with me. I know that there is penalty for extra weight etc. but it's really important that the gear return and not get M.I.A. in the mex. Airport for some strange reason this happens alot.

[PilotLight]

Derwood, I am always more concerned about losing my luggage in LA rather than in Mexico. Only 3 gates in La Paz and 40 gates at Alaska in LA.
Kel