Airlines Going Too Far

It looks like all the major air carriers are looking to completely screw their customers. Last Spring when I was traveling to Upstate NY, the airlines announced a $25 fee for checking a second bag; $50 for a third; and $75 for a fourth checked bag. (gulp!) Of course, their First Class passengers, Mileage ticket holders, and special "Sky" class passengers didn't have to pony up the fees. Nope, these ridiculous check-in fees are reserved for the greatest number of passengers (of course!), the Coach Class ticketholders.

Now comes news of an even better way to financially abuse their customers...Today, Delta announced that it is now charging $15 for the FIRST CHECKED BAG. Yep, now any passenger flying to see family, go on vacation, go on a business trip, etc and who actually has the temerity to want to take clothing along with them,...well, they are now penalized for not wanting to wear the same dirty underwear for days at a time.

I know that some of you are screaming about carry-on bags. On that note, most airlines are now extremely restrictive on what you can take on a plane. It is no coincidence that an air traveler who cannot take a large carry-on must check the bag, thereby paying the airline not only for the seat (and ONLY the seat--forget about any snacks nowadays), but also for actually having the guts to tell an air carrier they are taking a single piece of checked luggage! (Gasp!!!!)

Does anyone besides me think this whole thing stinks of a pungent, monopolistic odor? And I mean this REEKS!

The whole thing on these cutbacks (no more meals--except First Class of course, snacks, pillows--in some cases, etc) was 'justified' by rising fuel costs. Routes and numbers of flights were decreased across the board, planes became over-booked, and new fees suddenly began rearing their ugly heads.

Next thing you know we'll be charged for having the gall to use the restroom on a cross country flight; or for asking for a cup of water (I've heard a few airlines are already charging for ice water!), or for getting the bag you paid to have checked off the luggage pickup.

When airline ridership drops to historic lows, or revenues bankrupt most carriers, maybe then (and this is a pretty big maybe) someone will get the brilliant idea that passengers actually want to be treated like their purchase means something more to the company than a warm spot left on the seat when all the passengers have unstuffed themselves from the cramped hollow tube that has been passing for a pleasant flying experience.

...but I doubt it.