I think they will follow. It's like a lightbult going off in the top corporate people. Why not? Everything is going up in price and everything is costing more.

Fee does not appy IF you are in the AA Advantage Gold/Platinum/Exec Platinum program; a lot of frequent travelers will not be affected by this; the average traveler will, and probably on all airlines.

Post from AA;
Today, American introduced a $15 fee for the first checked bag, given the increasing costs of transporting checked baggage. This fee, which is effective for tickets purchased on or after June 15, does not apply to: American's AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Executive Platinum level members; those who have purchased full-fare tickets in the Economy, Business and First Class cabins; and those with international itineraries (except to and from Canada and U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

Saw something in our local paper today that said airlines may have to resort to charging for carry ons too.

I can see it now....for the airlines to work in the years to come. No checked baggage, one carry on ONLY big enough to hold a toothbrush, toothpaste and deoderant. They will be selling "space", no seats in the luggage department in the belly of the planes. Everyone will be responsbile for making sure you pee before you get on the plane, because bathrooms will not be available once you get on. Then, when exiting the plane, you will have to take your chances and jump to the ground. To further save money, there will be no flight attendants and only one pilot. Food or drinks/water will not be available (bathroom situations). To further lighten the load and save fuel, all passengers will be required to wear ONLY bathing suits and the paper booties you can get at any medical store.

If anyone else has any other suggestions, I'm sure the airlines would LOVE to know.

Thanks to all the oil companies.

connie, I would have to agree with you. Some people are really pushin the carry on limits. Personal items ( purse, laptop) have become more of a second carry on and the carry ons are getting quite large. I'm certain this problem will worsen with the checked baggage restrictions so it won't take long for the Airlines to come up with a solution. Fuel cost can be DEADLY to this industry. No one wants to see more bankrupt airlines and lost tickets. It's scary cause we just got to get to the Islands some how................. I think we all share that sentiment.

Don't get me wrong, I am completely against the fee for the first bag. That being said, people pack way too much for trips. You should be able to pack very lightly for a trip to the islands.

Connie, don't be silly arent you being extreme? They will have bathrooms on the flights - just bring quarters to get into them. The space in the bottom of the plane will be known as economy class - and will have straps like subway cars. What was formerly economy will be business class. You won't have to jump off the plane to get off - you'll be able to pay a fee to use the rope ladder. I think you are right that they won't serve you drinks or water, but you will be able to bring your own aboard - so long as you pay the corkage fee. You forgot to mention the air system access charge for the excessive cost of pumping air into the cabin and keeping it at a survivable temperature. Finally, don't forget to bring extra dollar bills because I believe I read somewhere the new safety speech will say something like, "in the unlikely event we lose cabin pressure, please insert a dollar bill in the slot in the seatback in front of you so that an oxygen mask will drop from the ceiling. Insert a second dollar to initiate the flow of oxygen." It is always kind to bring extra money as well to leave a little something in the tip jar at the bottom of the rope ladder when you exit - after all it is alot of responsibility for the lone pilot.

lol, I'm sure there's some comedien that has touched on these subjects. I know Kevin James does a bit about customer service at the counter and how many keys an agent must press before the print out your ticket. Funny skit.

I was reading the TSA site yesterday...another pain in the neck in flying and I was amazed at what you can and can't bring.

I can't bring more then 3 oz of deoderant, but I can bring knitting needles to poke somebodies eyes out.
I can't bring more then 3 oz of shampoo, but hey!!! I can bring disposable razors for either a quick shave or razor fight with another passenger.
I can bring a lighter now!! But I can't bring matches???
Can't bring spray paint...I'm so upset. Wanted to pass the time doing some graffiti.

I'm glad that I can't bring the following. No brainers I would hope.

Axes and Hatches, Saws, Cattle Prods (that's so funny), Ski Poles, knives, bows and arrows (another one that is hysterical)! Seriously, I'm sitting here laughing at some of these things.

But cattle prods are practically a necessity on Southwest Airlines. You didn't list a crossbow, would that be ok? How about a spear? TSA needs to be a little more comprehensive just so it's clear what is and isn't ok.

A crossbow or spear cannot fit under your seat or in the overhead. I think that's the reason.