American to charge for FIRST checked bag.

[BarTopDancer]

Those are awesome.

Their prices have gone up, but it's fairly simple to know what you're going to pay.

[Gemini Cricket]

American Airlines said on Thursday that it plans to cut nearly 7,000 full-time employees, or 8% of its total staff, by the end of 2008.AMR Corp. ... owner of carriers American Airlines and American Eagle, will eliminate about 8% of its 85,000 workers, spokesman Tim Smith told CNNMoney.com. This means that 6,800 workers could lose their jobs.

Source
And this is after cutting flights, charging extra for bags etc...
They're struggling alright. Yikes.

[Morrigoon]

This is why I got out of the airline business

[Ghoulish Delight]

And this is why I'm not up in arms about charging for baggage. This isn't the oil companies, shattering profit records and still looking for new ways to bleed our wallets. This is an industry that's barely hanging on trying to find any way they can to remain profitable.

[Morrigoon]

Delta just DOUBLED its 2nd bag fee - now $50. And check out this little gem:

Originally Posted by article

Delta warned on its Web site that if a customer has an extra piece of baggage that goes over the weight limit and the size limit, the passenger will be charged three times — once for the extra bag, once for going over the size limit and once for going over the weight limit.

[Tenigma]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

Delta just DOUBLED its 2nd bag fee - now $50. And check out this little gem:

Yeah, all these is really eating my craw. I actually posted a bit of a rant about it on my Travelite blog.

[lizziebith]

Lately hubby and I have noticed the trend (as we've been flying a lot this year) of airlines assigning us seats far apart when tickets are purchased, then offering us the option of sitting together for a fee of $50 each.

And I love Southwest -- I've always had great service from them even though it's called "no frills."

[Tenigma]

Originally Posted by lizziebith

Lately hubby and I have noticed the trend (as we've been flying a lot this year) of airlines assigning us seats far apart when tickets are purchased, then offering us the option of sitting together for a fee of $50 each.

Ohh this is something I'm not familiar with. Did you buy tickets directly from the airlines? Did you use a third-party vendor like Expedia? Do both you and your husband have frequent flier numbers for those airlines? How far before the flights did you purchase your tickets? Did you have the option to select seats at the time of purchase? Which airlines charged you for changing seats?!?!?!?

[BarTopDancer]

Now that is insane.

My mom, in her infinite wisdom packed 1 big suit case for her trip to Canada this year. She normally packs 2, and since she has so many miles she is one of the customers who doesn't have to pay for the first checked bag on AA. Except she went over the weight limit and ended up paying $50.

[Morrigoon]

lizzie: many airlines allow you to request your seat assignments at the time of purchase. (unless the flight is getting full and they think they might overbook it) See if they charge extra up front