Airlines - Bag-check edition

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The theory is sound - by charging for bag-checks, the airlines have made more people carry-on, which causes delays at the gates (estimated at at least $6B in 2009, probably more now)
Ergo, by incentivizing people to check bags, they're reducing costs (one assumes that they're checking to see if it is greater than the revenue they get from bag fees).

My only concern is that Elite travelers are the ones most likely to game the system, e.g. by checking empty boxes...


Earn American Airlines AAdvantage Bonus Miles For Checking Baggage
Through November 22, 2011, American Airlines will offer AAdvantage® elite status members the opportunity to earn a minimum of 500 AAdvantage bonus miles for checking bags on flights departing Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
Earning the bonus miles is easy - simply visit a BOS Self-Service Check-In machine on the day of your departure and follow the normal steps to check-in with bags. Check at least one bag under your own name to earn the bonus miles, which will automatically post to your AAdvantage account five business days after you have completed the travel associated with your itinerary. As a reminder, all AAdvantage elite status members are entitled to check two bags free of charge (within current size and weight limits) in addition to earning the bonus miles with this special offer. (more...)

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