Carry-on bags to get more scrutiny

Admit it. That chunky carry-on bag of yours would never fit into the sample box displayed outside the airport gate.

Don’t expect that bag to get a free ride for long.

Checked bags are now a moneymaker for US Airways, American Airlines and United Airlines, and officials say they’re going to keep a closer watch on how much you take on board as they begin their new baggage fees.

“We’re planning on having extra staff where possible, especially at peak times at busy airports,” US Airways spokesman Morgan Durrant said.

The airlines point out that the carry-on policy came from the Federal Aviation Administration, not the industry, and they have an obligation to keep people from sneaking bulky bags onto planes to avoid fees. Not only is it unfair to the honest, fee-paying traveler, they say, but it would delay takeoffs while they check excess bags.

People who are accustomed to boarding with a large roller case might find themselves handing $15 to an airline employee before they get through security.

AMR Corp.’s American Airlines, the nation’s largest carrier, was the first to announce fees for a single checked bag. It started charging $15 each way for the first bag on tickets purchased June 15 or later.

US Airways Group Inc. will match that fee for tickets booked on or after July 9. UAL Corp.’s United Airlines will follow later in the summer with the same bag fee for domestic flights as of Aug. 18.

The three airlines say they are responding to tremendous pressure to cover sky-high fuel prices that have erased profits and sunk stock values. The Air Transport Assn. says fuel costs will hammer the industry this year, contributing to about $13 billion in losses.

Most airlines plan to cut back on available seats and routes in hopes of eventually boosting demand and keeping fares high. American, US Airways and United also will shed thousands of jobs to cut costs.

US Airways, which does not have an extensive network of lucrative international flights, says it will look for additional ways to raise cash. It is already planning to increase service fees on tickets, charge for items such as soda and for popular seats in coach. Along with the bag charges, the fees are expected to bring US Airways an additional $300 million to $400 million annually.

“They’re in such trouble,” said Honor Guthrie, 45, an American Airlines passenger on her way back to Chicago from Phoenix. Next time she travels, Guthrie said she would likely take something smaller than the large black roller case that she brought on the Phoenix trip.

“I’ll wear the same pants a couple of days, same shirt, same skirt. I’ll probably do some laundry wherever I go,” she said.

Dan Weisberg, 51, also sympathized with the airlines. Weisberg, a businessman who travels a few times a month, added that he was happy that the airlines were devoting extra employees to policing carry-ons.

“This is going to create bedlam in the overhead compartments,” Weisberg said.