Seriously guys... I can't believe you actually debating this... It's nonsense! Ignore this stupid story.
cyclops16,
You obviously haven't seen the benefit to these addons, so let me introduce you to them.
I was going to Dublin last week on business, with BA it was costing £150 plus 1 stop off and a total of 5hours. I was forced to pay credit card fees, fuel surcharge, baggage fees etc even though I wasn't carrying any of it.
I decided to fly with ryanair, carried hand luggage (never cost anything) check in online reducing the paper waste and made things quicker (never cost anything) used a VISA electron card (never cost anything) and got the flights for £1 each way incl taxes
How can you complain about paying £3 for a bag!!!!