Some finance guy on CNBC today was talking about this subject. He said "if it wasn't for the bag fees DAL would be in the red. Hmmmmmm
If it wasn't for ancillary fees, EVERY airline would be in the red. That's a fact.
Even SWA with their priority boarding fee, overweight bag fee, pet fee, etc, etc, would be marginally-profitable or unprofitable on a quarter-by-quarter basis without them.
The simple fact is that people resist fare increases, yet the cost of producing our product goes up every year. There has to be SOME way to make the airlines profitable, and these extra fees are working. Until ALL the airlines start edging their fees up without being undercut by a new-entrant, those fees will continue to be the bread-and-butter of our industry.
That said, I can't remember the last time I got charged for checking even a larger bag, even on SWA. Checked a big box of presents a few months ago for birthdays, well over the limit (medium size U-haul box with lots of bubble wrap to make sure nothing got damaged), and the counter agent didn't say a word.
Just depends who you get. Some people don't like commuters or people who use their free jumpseat benefits for leisure travel (even though most of us do from time to time and if the seat is empty, who gives a flying flip?)
