Legislation Introduced to Mandate Cheaper Luggage

Travelers' grievances have grown exponentially in the last decade as prices have increased, crowds have grown, and security protocol has become reminiscent of Rubashov's experience in Koestler's Darkness at Noon. The most upsetting thing to many travelers is the outrageous cost of checking luggage. The massive fees have inspired hoards of travelers to push the natural limits of carry on baggage with bags scarcely capable of being pounded into the overhead bin, and more of them.

This phenomenon has caused Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.) to introduce legislation that would "guarantee passengers one checked bag without the financial burden of paying a fee, or the headache of trying to fit everything into a carry-on." The bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.), would allow passengers to check one bag for free and prohibit fees for regular-size carry-on bags. Airlines would also be required to tell passengers about any restrictions on weight, size, and number of bags before they arrive at the airport. In addition, airlines would have to make public the associated fees for preferred seating and different types of checked luggage.

In 2008-2009, airlines collected $3.9 billion in checked luggage fees, even though fewer than one out of four passengers check bags.

Loaded Gun Falls Out of Checked Luggage at LAX

A loaded handgun fell out of a checked bag being loaded onto an airliner for an Alaska Airlines flight at Los Angeles International Airport.

The TSA claims (rightly, though pretty non-sensibily) that identifying firearms in checked bags is not the agency's job. I suppose this makes a little sense, since it would be difficult to use the firearm from your seat when the bag is stowed elsewhere in the plane... but come on! There are a lot of "what ifs" that could be implanted into this scenario that are worrisome. TSA says the bag passed explosives screening. Maybe it's time for an equipment update?

The passenger was questioned and then later allowed to board his flight.

New Checked Bag Fees from Delta

Delta has added some considerable checked luggage fees.

Here are a couple examples of the fees:

Flights leaving the United States/ Canada or Mexico, the Caribbean, South America (excluding Brazil), or Central America to Europe are subject to a $60 online/ $75 at the airport fee for a second checked bag (no fee for the first).

Flights departing from and staying within the United States and Canada are subject to a fee of $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second bag.

Find the complete set of details on their Baggage Allowances page: http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/checked/index.jsp

The 4 Most Likely Reasons Your Luggage has Vanished!

In no particular order of frequency, though organized in occurrences ranging from probably your fault to pure smite:

1.) You forgot to pick up your luggage upon landing

2.) The routing label gets damaged

3.) Your bag is loaded onto the wrong plane

4.) The airline attendant types in the wrong destination code

Here is an article from Budget Travel that discusses these four common errors and provides tips (though somewhat exhausting ones) on how to not be one of the 3.57 passengers per 1,000 that lose their luggage: http://www.budgettravel.com/feature/4-most-common-reasons-airlines-lose-luggage,7558/?page=1&src=artrc