More Fees, Less Fun for Travellers

The hits just keep on coming. More austerity measures from various airlines in the name of survival:

• According to CNN, Northwest Airlines is going to follow the lead of American, US Airways, and United and start charging $15 extra for the first checked bag. On top of that, pink slips are going out to 2,500 people.
  
• CNN also reports that US Airways is removing in-flight entertainment from their flights.

I do have to say, I have flown US Airways a lot over the last year, and I have never been on a plane that offered in-flight entertainment. I have only flown on their ex-America West 737-300 and A320 planes, though. Did only the legacy US Airways (pre-merger) planes have in-flight entertainment? Or is this only present on their bigger planes, such as the 757s?

Ugh, US Airways is rapidly becoming no fun to fly with. First the extra bag charges, then they started charging for all in-flight refreshments. I understand they have to do what they have to do to survive, but it seems like they are just nickel and diming us to death. Just raise fares by $50 each way and get it over with.

The checked bag charge in particular really gets me. Other than people flying on the Delta Shuttle between New York and Boston for same-day business, who travels without clothes? Sure, if you are just going somewhere for a day or two, your clothing will fit just fine in a carry-on. However, I read recently that American in particular is cracking down on carry-on luggage, and if your bag doesn't fit in the little box at security, then be prepared to check that sucker and fork over the extra $15. It seems like the cost involved to police this would offset any gains realized by the $15 fee. So why not just slap on the extra $15 to the cost of the ticket and be done with it?

I don't get it.