American to charge for FIRST checked bag.

[Alex]

I know it is just a matter of personal travel style but other than having to take off my shoes air travel has only become easier for me over the years rather than more annoying.

I don't care if they show me a movie. I don't care if they feed me. I never check bags and my carry on, regardless of length of trip is always a gym bag with a separate camera bag.

So, a la carte pricing combined with electronic check in and printing boarding passes at home all make flying much more convenient to me than it was 15 years ago. Heck, even security isn't that big of a deal, despite all of the complaining I have never had to stand in line at security for more than 20 minutes since 9/11, the worst security line remains in 1994 when it took almost an hour to get through at SeaTac. Even when I get pulled for special screening (which happens regularly since we're fans of last minute travel and booking within 48 hours of flight gets you the dreaded SSSSSSSSS boarding pass) it is quick enough for my needs.

But we'll see how spoiled I get. For our two week France trip this fall we're flying business class on Virgin Atlantic (but I'll still only have a gym bag and a camera bag with me).