Effective immediately all airlines will allow service members to carry any amount of baggage that they have for no extra cost or the person in charge of that airline will face personal criminal prosecution from the U.S. In addition, all Service Members heading to or from Iraq will fly 1st class. Problem solved....next...
There should have been no such charge, at any time, when our Country's best are going into harm's way for the safety & security of all in it; especially by any transport company that is using this Nation's freedom to make a very successful living & profit. Shame on them for doing it!! They should atone by rescinding this policy ASAP. Further, our Government should demand this "no-charge" stipulation when these transport companies bid for these contracts...sounds more than fair to me....
I think it's great American Airlines is picking up the tab (I knew they would...they were always my favorite airline when used to travel alot, due in large part to their customer service), but...
Isn't this something Uncle Sam should be paying for?
Did you READ the article, SATCOM? Where does is say AA is picking up the tab?
The government buys the tickets for a negotiated fare. For large units, often an entire aircraft is chartered.
Seems to me that some airlines are trying to double-dip the system - getting the govt. fares on contract AND sticking the troops for "baggage fees."
Seems to me that any deploying troop should be authorized to travel with ALL required equipment, whether that's one bag or fifty, and with or without weapons (I came back home from Desert Storm deployment with a .45 in my checked duffle), and without any weight restriction.
If the only way to fix this is to re-negotiate the fares with the airlines, then DoD had best get to it on the double.
American Airlines has agreed to waive its fees for a third checked bag for service members — whether they are on official travel or off duty. ***
Great!!!
Now I know which Airlines to book my flights on. Those who are no longer active duty should only fly AA until the other airlines get with the program.
It is not acceptable to have our servicemen and women having to pay extra for their luggage.
If the airlines really wanted to show their appreciation then any active duty serviceperson would be flown first class, drinks and eats free. (drinks within reason as I know how some members can throw down.)
The raeality is this is not a big deal. There are more important issues to worry about. I have made the trip myself was charged extra for my bags I was taking for my deployment and I was reimbursed for my cost. No fuss no muss. The government negotiates how much it cost to transfer an individual not the cargo that goes with that person. There are fuel cost assoicated with that.
That's all well and good, but AA and Delta don't fly to every destination a serviceman may be trying to get to! The fee should be altogether waived for servicemen traveling to and from a combat assignment! Jim Sorber, Former Commander VFW POST 5464 2006-2008
"Of course we support the troops they say to us over and over." Wouldn't it be nice if the airlines, in this case, would do something, such as the troops not having to pay $100, on their own accord. Is it really asking too much of these high-powered executives to use some initiative in consideration of the troops? They can sure use their initiative when they get a bonus don't they? Semper Fidelis. Blackcoat.
The airline in this case was American Airlines, but the $100 fee for a third bag "appears to be the industry norm" unless servicemembers fly first class or are elite frequent flyers, he wrote.
$100 for a third bag. That, is ridiculous. I say it is high time to regulate the airline industry again. Never should have de-regulated it.
I have sons currently serving and $100 is a big chunk for these young men. While I understand this policy it doesn't stop the airlines from coming to the government for help because they can't make it in this tight time and let's face it they already make an awful lot of money off soldiers traveling. The military flys a lot of their troops on commercial flights and not military flights any more. When my husband went on his two week tours in reserves many times he and his unit flew commercial.
Originally posted by JimSorber: That's all well and good, but AA and Delta don't fly to every destination a serviceman may be trying to get to! The fee should be altogether waived for servicemen traveling to and from a combat assignment! Jim Sorber, Former Commander VFW POST 5464 2006-2008
It was on the news tonight. AA caved in from the negative publicity from this. They no longer charge for the 3rd bag! They claimed they are not the only one. Way to go guys, for helping make AA come to their senses!
Maybe I've got this wrong, but this was not being charged on a flight to Iraq or Afghanistan, it was a domestic flight, most likely either a PCS or a long TAD/TDY. When the military uses a commercial jet to fly troops they book the whole flight and there are no baggage charges etc. Also, they and most airlines all ready waive the first and second bag fees for military personnel. This was the third bag. Now, I've done plenty of PCS and TAD and I never once had to carry a third bag. You've got your seabag which can hold pretty much everything you must have until the rest of your stuff arrives (for a PCS) and then you have a second bag which has the stuff you want to have. Don't forget you also have a carry on which has all the little electronics and stuff you like to have. A third checked bag is nothing but excess. I'm sorry, but if you can't afford to pay the extra (you know they are going to charge you for the heaviest of the bags) you should learn how to travel lighter.
As a former USAF having served 9 years and retiring from UAL after 30 years, I fully support airlines doing their fair share. Drop the charges for all military baggage under orders. This includes, UAL, Delta, CA, and all American carriers. Take a good look at how many veterans now work in the airline industry... A bigg Huzaw to American !!!!
This was the third bag. Now, I've done plenty of PCS and TAD and I never once had to carry a third bag. You've got your seabag which can hold pretty much everything you must have until the rest of your stuff arrives (for a PCS) and then you have a second bag which has the stuff you want to have. Don't forget you also have a carry on which has all the little electronics and stuff you like to have. A third checked bag is nothing but excess.
Three stuffed seabags is a whole lot, for sure. However; I do not think that is the point. There is a myriad of resons a service member is travelling. It could be a short stint for a technical school, it could be a long haul to a new duty station. Hey, even going home on leave, which would only require some small suitcases.
The article did not specify the size or weight of the bags, just a charge for the third bag.
Most people that travel airlines do so for vacation or business reasons. I really can not envision needing three stuffed seabags to go visit grandma for Thanksgiving.
for helping make AA come to their senses!
