Just heard that the airlines are going to charge $15 for first checked bag..and additional charges for many other items..

This was just on CNN

"the airlines"

Which airlines - it can't be Ryanair as they charge a minimum of £8 (€10) for the first checked

It was American Airlines that announced this. It's for US domestic flights ticketed on or after June 15, with various exceptions (full fare, elite status, etc.).

Yes, it is American Airlines. Are you sure it's for domestic flights only?

I'm sure others will soon follow. It is just sickening. The whole experience is so aversive and I really have no other choices since all of my family lives 1000+ miles away from me. Grrrrrr.

Yep - it is AA. So far just domestic and only on discounted tickets. Full fare or w/ status and there is no fee.

Sorry, yes AA is the first. As we know, they all follow suit. If it begins domestic, it will soon follow with International..on and on and on....

I find all this incredibly deceptive. Just booked with Ryanair and the cost of the flight is cheap but wait till you see all the add-ons! There is only one transaction but you have to pay 4 times for a credit card fee (2 of us, return flight). It's ridiculous. It's the total price you are paying that is important, that is what the airlines should be made to show you upfront, instead of this garbage about 10 pound flights. It's plus, plus, plus....
Kay

Oh - while it is just AA now - either the other US "legacy" airlines will soon follow, or they won't and AA will retreat.

That is the game they all play. Try a fare increase or new fee - if the others go along then it is permanent. If the others don't cooperate, the new fees are withdrawn.

I guess the over-head bins will be full now for sure. I already have trouble finding room for my carry-on bag.

I am waiting for the airlines to start charging for seatbelts.

Ilana, that will be the next project - after they install pay toilets.

People wanted cheap cheap cheap air travel. They search the internet looking for the lowest price. So, take the low price and pay for the extras. The airlines need to make a profit. I don't check bags, so I don't mind NOT paying for something I don't want or won't use. It's transportation, not a vacation.

Wish I could go carry-on! For a month, that would be hard to do. I do only have one bag, but the next size up from carry-on.....

I take less and less every time..

I look at it like placing a $10 bet at a casino: You give the airline your baggage money, then you eager anticipate the very good chance that they'll lose or destroy your bag. Then they pay you $300 reimbursement. Maybe not even a gamble. More like an investment. I think I'll deliberatly hang an old faded bag tag on my oldest suitcase.

time to start shipping your bags to your destination. AA has either lost my luggage or it has arrived late on 3 occasions.

How does the cost of shipping a bag compare with the $15.00 charge that AA is asking? Also, what shipping company?

Based on experience I think it is more than fair. Have you ever looked at what passenger take on trips? Some travel with two or three bags plus golf bags, strollers and camping equipment. Perhaps this small fee will make people think twice before loading up the plane with so much stuff.

Here's one luggage shipping company. I haven't used them, but it's starting to look like a better idea:

http://www.luggagefree.com/

gracejoan: re not being able to do carry-on-only because your trip is a month: It really should not make a bit of difference whether a trip is 5 days, 5 weeks or 5 months. You do not need bigger luggage for a longer trip - honest.

If worse comes to worse, you can do laundry once or twice. I teach a packing class to hundreds of folks every year and, using mix/match/layer-able garments, get more than 30 (and often nearly 45) outfits into a 21 inch rollaboard. I personally usually travel w/ a 19", but use a 21" for my class.

And no, I'm not a overhead bin hog. One 19 or 21 inch roallaboard and a medium/small handbag is all I take -- no extra day pack, backpack or duffel