In an industry do is losing money by the year-the airline industry has introduced different fees to help recuperate some of that lost revenue.
Everyone knows about how a few airlines now charge for blankets, pillows and snacks, but there are also hidden fees inside the well-known hidden fees.
Southwest, an airline that doesn't have assigned seating, meaning, first come first serve has an Early-boarding fee of $40.
They also have an early-bird fee, in which a passenger can pay $10 to bump up their boarding time. However, this doesn't guarantee being one of the first to board because the $40 fee trumps the $10 fee.
Just last year, Southwest was sued over their unofficially named, "Too Fat to Fly" fee, which is activated when a passenger is deemed too fat for one seat and has to buy a second seat.
The lawsuit prompted a statement from a Southwest spokesman of "We realize that it's a sensitive conversation and we train our Employees to approach the situation as discreetly as possible," King said in the statement. "The ... best case scenario is for the Customer to notify us of any special needs ahead of time," according to ABCnews.com.
On the bright side, at least Southwest doesn't have baggage fees (reading the fine print of their commercials 'certain restrictions apply'), other airlines are charging $25 or more for just a carry-on bag.
The reason that they are claiming:
"The carry-on bag takes time away from the boarding process and thus, is taking money away from them," quote accredited to numerous sources.
What about wanting extra legroom? Yes, there is a fee for that-one can pay to be in comfort, while taking away room from someone else.
Have a family? Want to sit with the family? There is a fee for that as well.
Time Magazine states that "the airlines have said that, regardless of fees, they'd try to sit families together. But they're under no obligation to ensure that Mom sits anywhere near, say, [sic] her 3-year-old daughter. "
However, this fee could be eliminated if the proposed "Families Fly Together Act of 2012 is passed by Congress later this year.
"Families should not be stuck paying hidden fees, or buying 'premium' seats, simply because they wish to be seated together on crowded flights," says Jerrold Nadler (D - NY), the bill's sponsor. "It is positively absurd to expect a two or three-year-old to sit unattended, next to strangers, on an airplane. It is up to air carriers to make their seating policies clear and easily accessible to the public," reported Time Magazine.
Guessing, just like in raising the stakes in blackjack-money plays.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
