Baggage Fees Explained

For those of us who travel on a regular basis, baggage fees are just a necessary evil. When these fees began approximately five years ago, it was in direct correlation to the rising costs of jet fuel. When the price per gallon for fuel jumped more than 40 percent in 2008, airlines knew that they could not sustain a profitable business without increasing their net gains.

Travelers dislike seeing higher ticket prices and comparison shop largely based on that metric, so instead of increasing the cost of buying a seat on the plane, airlines began adding extra fees. These fees include payment for increased legroom, making last-minute flight changes, fast-tracking through security lines, and purchasing upgraded in-flight meals. However, the most common, and possibly the most irritating, new fee was for baggage.

Many people fear flying. Once you get on an airplane, you are committed to it for the duration of your journey; there’s no pulling over and stopping if you get uncomfortable. This feeling of being trapped would put many passengers on edge even if there were no other reasons for fear. Airplane crashes are a Hollywood staple, though, and they’re usually big, newsworthy events. While airplane crashes are much less common than car accidents, the media attention they receive makes them seem like a real threat to many passengers THOUGH THIS IS REALLY NOT THE CASE!

It’s little wonder, then, that airplane turbulence would make so many travelers uneasy. Turbulence can happen without warning, causing a plane to shudder or dip erratically. Items may shift, and passengers might be jostled in their seats. The sudden lift or plummet of an altitude change can cause discomfort in the passengers, and fear is a natural reaction. Fortunately, VIRTUALLY ALL cases of turbulence are completely harmless, and there are ways to combat even more serious turbulence to help yourself and your fellow passengers.