Soldiers pay bag fee on travel to war
 

Washington Times - Soldiers pay bag fee on travel to war
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Soldiers pay bag fee on travel to war
Audrey Hudson (Contact)

American Airlines is charging troops for their extra baggage, a practice that forces soldiers heading for a war zone in Iraq to try to get reimbursement from the military. One of the country's largest veterans groups is asking the aviation industry to drop the practice immediately.

American, which recently charged two soldiers from Texas $100 and $300 for their extra duffel bags, said it gives the military a break on the cost for excess luggage and that the soldiers who incur the fees are reimbursed.

"Because the soldiers don't pay a dime, our waiver of the fees amounts to a discount to the military, not a discount to soldiers," said Tim Wagner, spokesman for American Airlines. "Soldiers should not have to pay a penny of it."
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I saw that on the news yesterday. I'm disgusted.

Of course, I rode to work yesterday on US Air, and was fairly disgusted at them charging two dollars for a cup of water, too.

This nickle and diming the customer is garbage. Everybody in earshot had the same thing to say about US Air, the treatment, the fees, and the service...last time they'll fly there.

They might be saving a dollar here or there, but I've never seen the ticket counters that quiet before. They'd have to try very hard to be any more effective at driving the customers away.

This business about charging soldiers for their bags. Someone ought to be shot over that. What a disgrace.

That didn't take long. A little nationwide coverage and American Airlines re-evaluated their policy:

American gives in, waives 3rd-bag fee for military | Business | Star-Telegram.com