The rise of fuel cost hits airlines like everyone else. These companies want to pretend they are not raising their fares by much but their additional costs are ridiculous. AA has added a $15.00 charge.- for the FIRST bag you check in, some airlines will charge extra for isle and window seats.

What's next? Charge for a drink of water? Charge for using the restroom unless you fly first class? Since business people have no bags other than a carry on, they will not pay the 15 dollars. Already the cost increase is not passed on evenly.Come up with an honest increase for everyone and forget about pleasing the stockholders for a while.

We are in a mess and Washington backs up the fat cats, as usual. Sure, OPEC is a main culprit, but the oil companies have more obscene profit margins than ever since gas prices exploded. Their lame explanation: They will "reinvest" the money. And Congress sits on their hands. You cannot insult lobbyists, can you?

That will happen about six months after hell freezes over.

Yesssssssss! What I'm sure you meant as sarcasm, is already an actuality.

According to The Wall Street Journal, August 1,


Fancy that!

And, of course, thanks to Homeland Security, we can't carry our own water aboard a flight.

Good grief Shedoni! Really?

Travel tip I just picked up on some blog... Empty your two liter container of water before entering security, then refilling it at a drinking fountain located in all airport terminals. Just be certain you are at the airport early to allow time for this...

But can we carry an empty water bottle through security?

I honestly wouldn't bother with it Liz! Drinking fountains are known to carry quit a bit of bacteria.

I just received an email notice from Continential. They have announced, starting now, they will also join other carriers adding a $15.00 fee will be added to the first bag check onto the plane. This means the second bag is free. What isn't clear is what methods a traveler are allowed to use to pay for this. Personally, I would like to pay for it upfront - an addition to my ticket purchase, avoiding all the scuttle at the airport. Imagine the traveler in front of you, digging through their wallet to pay for the bag?

This will only add time and red tape to checking passengers onto a flight. Very bad move on the part of the airlines.