Bad news for travelers everywhere, airlines have found another way to nickel and
dime customers. Starting June 15, customers flying American Airlines (NYSE:AMR) will pay $15 to check their first bag, I'm guessing the amount of the fee is directly related to the number of bags checked. So unless one can pack light enough for a carry-on bag, there's a fee to take luggage on a trip. The fee is only one component of several changes announced today.
American Airlines said the moves, including layoffs in the thousands and a 12% decrease in the number of domestic flights, are necessary to cope with soaring fuel prices. The price per barrel surpassed $130, meaning the airlines are in for another crunch.
I really think this new fee sucks. Last April I took a trip to Miami, flew American Airlines. Being that the flight was cross-country and I wasn't on Southwest or Jet Blue, I expected lunch. What I got was diddly-squat. I was incredulous, I'd have to cough up $7 for a dry turkey sandwich, a red apple, and some potato salad!
The thing is, I know airlines are hemorrhaging money like it's going out of style, so I'm a tiny bit sympathetic. American Airlines is expected to lose $1.4 billion, yeah BILLION, this year. I nearly had a coronary when I lost 20 bucks at Trader Joe's the other day. So as much as my gut instinct says "Booo American Airlines" by head is in agreement with CNN Money editor Paul R. La Monica's stance; "It's vital for airlines to make more money in order to ensure that they won't have to cut back on service even more than they are already doing."
In other news of the ridiculous, I hear United Airlines is charging customers a "Breathing Fee" - $5 per hour of oxygen, or any portion thereof. Hehe, I couldn't resist one last jab.
Comment Preview