Fly the Fleecing Skies

[marmar]

from TIME:



Flying soon? You could pay upwards of 50% more in airline fees than for the same flight just one year ago. And don't even think of asking for a receipt to document the pain -- you'll pay another $20 for that privilege.

According to USA Today, U.S. airlines saw a 15.8% increase in revenue during the year's second quarter, due to a more than 50% increase in fees since June 2009. The paper reported $893 million was brought in from fees for checked baggage, while $600 million came from fees tacked on to changed reservations. Other "convenience" fees are attached to things like telephone reservations, which can cost up to an extra $35 (US Airways) or even $44.97 (Allegiant Air) – $29.98 round-trip booking fee and a $14.99 convenience fee.

But perhaps the most outrageous hidden price tag is the added fee for receipts. Some airlines now charge an extra $20 to passengers who request a receipt just days after their flight. Continental institutes the additional fee if the request is made more than seven days after a flight, while US Airways charges for receipt requests made more than 30 days later.

As prices continue to increase, news of inflated fee costs is delivered as just another consumer squeeze. Earlier this summer the AP reported the average cost of a domestic flight was a whopping $328, while a proposed line of "saddle-like" airline seats providing just 23 inches of leg room was announced in order to pack even more people into aircrafts.


http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/09/27/airline-fees-up-by-50-since-2009/#ixzz10puCaGBn

[ixion]

1. They forgot 'fascist' as in: Fly the Fleecing Fasist Skies

The airports and the airlines can rot in hell, for all I care.

[MurrayDelph]

2. ...and my friends wonder

why when I travel between Los Angeles and Portland, I drive.

It's prettier, it's cheaper, no intrusive body searches, and I can take a HELL of a lot of stuff with me for no extra price.

[gmoney]

3. Not once have I ever found a convenience fee to be convenient...

just sayin'

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. Here is pic of that "saddle seat"

"Cowboys ride eight hours on their horses during the day and still feel comfortable in the saddle.'
Passengers would pay less to sit in an area of the cabin installed with the seats.

[marmar]

5. None for me thanks.....I can barely take this saddle seat for 3 minutes:

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Hey, great idea! Use this contraption to add passengers on the outside of the plane.

And make them pay MORE for the "thrill" of the ride.

[uppityperson]

7. maybe if it had a built in

vibrator to keep passengers seated?