Luggage charge??

If you're planning a vacation soon, don't plan on bringing THAT much luggage with you. Many airlines are starting to charge you for the second luggage. And some are even starting to charge $25 for your first luggage!! American Airlines was the first to charge $15 for the first bag, following was United Airlines and US Airways. Some airlines which used to have a free second bag as well may now be charging $10 for the second bag and up to $100 for the third bag!! Holy cow!! In addition the weight limit has also changed for international flights. I believe when Rey's Mom and Dad went to the Philippines last year the weight limit changed from 75lbs a bag to 50lbs a bag!!

Man, economy is going kaputs and gas prices are out the roof. Pilots are no longer on the same pay, they no longer get paid salary they are doing hourly (or mileage??) pay. it's hard to explain, but I'll try. Bare with me!! If they no longer are being paid a normal salary and (Not sure if they are doing hourly or mileage pay but I'll chose one for an example) if they do get paid hourly then that means they are only getting paid for the hours they put in. So if a flight from Los Angeles, CA to Thailand takes 15 hours, most pilots would stay the night there to rest and then fly back or else where the next day, but instead pilots are now just making the round trip and flying back home! Pilots are willing to take on more flights then they can handle so they can make up the money they lost when they used to get paid the regular salary. How scary is that?? A pilot taking more flights than s/he can handle, imagine how tired they are!! In addition, many pilots have been laid off. Airlines can't afford to pay them. Gas is too high for the planes, and no one can afford to fly, and ever since September 11th, many more people (especially Americans) are afraid to fly.

Everyone seems to be getting effected by this. I sure hope Southwest doesn't start having tired pilots. I mean Southwest Airlines doesn't travel far, and are known to be cheap airfare so I hope they also don't start to charge for the first luggage!!

You can read more about this topic at the links below:

• New Luggage Pricing
• American Airlines Changes Luggage Price
• American Airlines Added Fees