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Post by katlady on Aug 6, 2023 15:36:26 GMT
This has been in the news a lot lately. Skiplagging is when you book a flight but you get off the plane at a layover. Say you are flying from LAX to St.Louis. The flight costs $1000. But a flight from LAX-St.Louis-NYC is only $600. You buy the $600 ticket and get off the plane in St. Louis. Of course to do this, you can only have carry-on luggage, and if you booked a round-trip at the same time, that will probably be canceled by the airline.
Have you done this before? Do you think this is ok to do? Does skiplagging happen in other countries?
I have never done this. It has never occurred to me to even do it. I get why people do this, but I also understand why some routes are cheaper than others (supply and demand). But then I also understand the logic that pricing should be based on distance. But since the airlines don’t allow it, I will vote no on it. Their airlines, their rules.
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MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,506 
Location: Central Pennsylvania
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Post by MorningPerson on Aug 6, 2023 15:42:21 GMT
I can’t think of a scenario where this would work for me personally, but I really don’t see anything wrong with it. Maybe someone here will enlighten me though on why it’s not ok.
ETA. I just noticed that you said the airlines specifically don’t allow it, so I guess that changes my answer. I don’t understand the whole thing I guess.
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Post by littlemama on Aug 6, 2023 15:45:34 GMT
I think that it wouldnt happen if the airlines didnt price flights that way. Therefore, I think it is ok. If the airlines are going to game the system, so to speak, the customers can do the same.
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Post by Lurkingpea on Aug 6, 2023 15:47:39 GMT
Why don’t airlines allow it? Other than they want more money. If there was a reason besides greed I would be opposed. If it is just they want to get more money I don’t see a problem with it.
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garcia5050
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,733
Location: So. Calif.
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Post by garcia5050 on Aug 6, 2023 15:54:30 GMT
I’ve never done it, but living in Southern California gives me lots of airport and flight options. It’s rare for me to not find a direct or semi-reasonably priced flight. If I lived somewhere with way less options, I would probably do it.
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Post by gar on Aug 6, 2023 15:57:07 GMT
There's a web site for this - skip lagged dot com  I believe the airline can decide you've broken the terms of your contract and can delete air miles, any category of traveller you might have (Gold member type thing) so I'm not sure I'd do it. |
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Post by busy on Aug 6, 2023 16:07:15 GMT
Depends on the circumstances, I guess. I wouldn't do it as a normal thing, to save a few bucks. And I'm pretty much never flying one-way, so I'm hard-pressed to come up with a scenario this would actually be beneficial for me. But if I HAD to be someplace at a particular time and for some dumb reason, the only flight that could accommodate that was getting off at a layover - I would do it. I would stop at the gate agent after I got off the plane and notify them of my plans, though.
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Post by don on Aug 6, 2023 16:08:47 GMT
Sounds complicated, I probably would end up in Cincinnati, and my luggage in Hawaii.
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Post by katlady on Aug 6, 2023 16:10:51 GMT
I can’t think of a scenario where this would work for me personally, but I really don’t see anything wrong with it. Maybe someone here will enlighten me though on why it’s not ok. ETA. I just noticed that you said the airlines specifically don’t allow it, so I guess that changes my answer. I don’t understand the whole thing I guess. Most people would rather take a non-stop flight. To get people to take the route with a layover/connection, the airlines entice them with a lower fare. But if someone is skiplagging, the airlines can’t sell that seat from the layover/connection to the final destination. |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Aug 6, 2023 16:13:58 GMT
Why don’t airlines allow it? Seeing as how so many planes fly full now if not even over-booked, I can imagine that utilization of seats might be one reason. But that's simply my guess. I have never done it, but I've heard of it. I'd be tempted if it meant a better time/itinerary for a flight. |
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Post by busy on Aug 6, 2023 16:19:06 GMT
But if someone is skiplagging, the airlines can’t sell that seat from the layover/connection to the final destination. Not defending the practice - I think I'm pretty neutral on it but respect that the airlines get to set their own rules - but they have already been paid for that seat if someone is skip lagging. |
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,135
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Post by iowgirl on Aug 6, 2023 16:20:55 GMT
My main concern would be luggage.
You, of course, could not check a bag. And carryon's seem to get gate checked so much now. I don't fly much, but I did fly some this spring, and every flight was gate checking carry-on's. The chances of having to gate check your bag would really mess up the plan on this one.
But I guess if you only have your personal bag (purse), and not a carry on or checked bag, I would do it. I fly so seldom and usually never on the same airline, that miles, etc. really have no significance to me, if they pulled that.
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Post by katlady on Aug 6, 2023 16:24:59 GMT
My main concern would be luggage. You, of course, could not check a bag. And carryon's seem to get gate checked so much now. I don't fly much, but I did fly some this spring, and every flight was gate checking carry-on's. The chances of having to gate check your bag would really mess up the plan on this one. I have never had to gate check my carry-on. Do you get your bag back when you deplane or do you have to go to baggage claim? If you have a connecting flight, do you get your carry-on back when you deplane or does the airline transfer the gate checked bags to the next airplane? ETA - Oh, I have gate checked my carry-on when I took the little puddle jumper planes. Our carry-ons were waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs as we deplaned. Our checked in luggage was transferred to the next plane. But I know these little planes operate differently than bigger jets. |
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Post by busy on Aug 6, 2023 16:31:24 GMT
My main concern would be luggage. You, of course, could not check a bag. And carryon's seem to get gate checked so much now. I don't fly much, but I did fly some this spring, and every flight was gate checking carry-on's. The chances of having to gate check your bag would really mess up the plan on this one. I have never had to gate check my carry-on. Do you get your bag back when you deplane or do you have to go to baggage claim? If you have a connecting flight, do you get your carry-on back when you deplane or does the airline transfer the gate checked bags to the next airplane? It depends. When gate checking, it seems about half the time you get the bags back when you deplane and about half the time at baggage claim. However, I am pretty sure that in all cases, if you have a connecting flight, it will automatically go through to the next flight and not be returned to you until the end of the final flight. That obviously wouldn't work for skip lagging. Whether or not you might have a gate check a bag depends on two things - your boarding position and how full the flight is. If you're in an early boarding group, you're fine, you won't have to gate check. If you're in a late boarding group, and it's a full flight, you are likely going to have to end up checking. A skip lagger would have to get on with their bag and hope for the best. |
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Post by lucyg on Aug 6, 2023 16:33:35 GMT
It sounds like way more trouble than I’d be willing to go to.
And honestly, I don’t like breaking known rules. Even if they’re stupid rules.
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Post by gar on Aug 6, 2023 17:02:30 GMT
I haven’t come across hate checking before - I’m guessing that’s for smaller airlines/planes?
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sueg
Prolific Pea
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Post by sueg on Aug 6, 2023 17:08:19 GMT
I haven’t come across hate checking before - I’m guessing that’s for smaller airlines/planes? Yes - I had it twice on planes between Munich and Amsterdam/Brussels, which were 2 seats each side of the aisle. The Amsterdam flight offered free bag check when you checked in and then were gate checking as we boarded as well. The Brussels flight was checking them at the bottom of the stairs - no flight bridge on that one! |
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Post by busy on Aug 6, 2023 17:09:48 GMT
I haven’t come across hate checking before - I’m guessing that’s for smaller airlines/planes? What do you consider a smaller plane? |
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Post by tuva42 on Aug 6, 2023 17:14:37 GMT
I'm a worry wort. I'd be convinced it would somehow cause me problems the next time I booked.
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Post by elaine on Aug 6, 2023 17:17:28 GMT
I haven’t come across hate checking before - I’m guessing that’s for smaller airlines/planes? No, in the USA it is all airlines and all sizes of planes. Usually on the larger planes, there are even more gate-checked bags because of the 200-350 passengers they cram on the plane. There just isn’t room in the overhead compartments for everyone who wants to bring a carry-on. Typically, these days if you are a coach passenger without priority boarding, there is a very good chance you will have to gate check your carry-on bag - especially on large planes. If I fly coach, I almost always check my bag because of this. |
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Post by gar on Aug 6, 2023 17:21:38 GMT
I haven’t come across hate checking before - I’m guessing that’s for smaller airlines/planes? What do you consider a smaller plane? Umm, I don't know really - anything smaller than I've ever been on with BA, airbuses I guess. |
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Post by gar on Aug 6, 2023 17:22:29 GMT
I haven’t come across hate checking before - I’m guessing that’s for smaller airlines/planes? No, in the USA it is all airlines and all sizes of planes. Usually on the larger planes, there are even more gate-checked bags because of the 200-350 passengers they cram on the plane. There just isn’t room in the overhead compartments for everyone who wants to bring a carry-on. Typically, these days if you are a coach passenger without priority boarding, there is a very good chance you will have to gate check your carry-on bag - especially on large planes. If I fly coach, I almost always check my bag because of this. Interesting, ok, my assumption was wrong |
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iluvpink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,291
Location: Michigan
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Post by iluvpink on Aug 6, 2023 17:23:28 GMT
I haven’t come across hate checking before - I’m guessing that’s for smaller airlines/planes? We've only had it happen once, a connecting flight from Amsterdam to Venice. We were confused about it at first and when the gate agent asked me if we had anything we needed I assumed she meant needed during the flight and we would get it back immediately when we got off the plane. Once we took off I realized it didn't work that way and was in a minor panic until we landed and got our luggage, my meds were in there! I had a few in my personal item bag, but not two weeks worth! I'll make sure to have them all in my personal bag now! |
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Post by myshelly on Aug 6, 2023 17:40:08 GMT
I haven’t come across hate checking before - I’m guessing that’s for smaller airlines/planes? Gate checking happens A LOT on sold out flights. There isn’t enough room in overhead bins for every single person on the flight to have a carry on suitcase, so if you’re in the last 1/3 or 1/4 of passengers to board, there may be no overhead space available by the time you get on the plane. Those bags have to go somewhere - they can’t be in the aisles or in your lap, so if it doesn’t fit under your seat the flight attendant takes it to be checked. That’s one of the reasons people want to be in early boarding groups even when there’s assigned seats. The earlier you board the plane, the more likely you are to find bin space for your luggage. |
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Post by freecharlie on Aug 6, 2023 17:40:12 GMT
I've looked at it. I thought there was a penalty if you no showed for the second leg.
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Post by mikklynn on Aug 6, 2023 17:40:16 GMT
I wouldn't do it, because they may cancel my return flight.
When I traveled for work I did something called back to backs. If I knew I was flying into LA multiple times, I would book a flight from MSP to LAX with a 2 week gap between departure and return. Then I'd book a second flight from LAX to MSP returning to MSP the first Friday night and returning from MSP to LAX on Monday morning. That way I had a Saturday stay over both flights, even though I came home to MSP every Friday. It made the flights a lot cheaper.
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Post by gar on Aug 6, 2023 17:41:22 GMT
I haven’t come across hate checking before - I’m guessing that’s for smaller airlines/planes? Gate checking happens A LOT on sold out flights. There isn’t enough room in overhead bins for every single person on the flight to have a carry on suitcase, so if you’re in the last 1/3 or 1/4 of passengers to board, there may be no overhead space available by the time you get on the plane. Those bags have to go somewhere - they can’t be in the aisles or in your lap, so if it doesn’t fit under your seat the flight attendant takes it to be checked. That’s one of the reasons people want to be in early boarding groups even when there’s assigned seats. The earlier you board the plane, the more likely you are to find bin space for your luggage. I understand that but as I said, I have never come across it personally. |
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Post by littlemama on Aug 6, 2023 19:32:42 GMT
Part of the reason that gate-checking happens is because people put their personal item in the overhead bins. Carryons go in overhead bins, personal items are supposed to go under the seat in front of you.
Also, more people do a carryon because of the checked luggage fees, so gatechecking is also the fault of the airlines for being so greedy
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Post by shescrafty on Aug 6, 2023 19:32:58 GMT
I have never done it but seriously I do not understand why it is an issue for the airlines. They have your money and don’t have to deal with you. Them flying me somewhere else (which I would have paid for) and just not continuing would be less stress on the attendants-no snack or drinks, no cleaning up after me, and more space for everyone else.
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Bridget in MD
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Jun 25, 2014 20:40:00 GMT
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Post by Bridget in MD on Aug 6, 2023 19:47:07 GMT
I've never done it and only recently heard about this when a kid got caught doing so (not quite understanding how he was caught).
Here's my thing, the airlines oversell/overbook ALL THE TIME. If I purchase a seat and choose not to do the 2nd leg, they not only got my money (while cheaper than a direct flight) but now another passenger too. I think booking should be looked at, so until they try to fix that, it's kind of a taste of their own medicine.
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