So it was announced today that American Airlines will begin charging for all baggage for people who purchase discounted tickets.

I can hear the collective sigh around the nation as people read this and start to complain about American (I read this story 9 minutes ago and already am writing a post).

Now, I understand that this is just a way for them to continue to advertise the flight at 150 bucks and then get the additional monies at the airport, but it strikes me as a very poor decision all the way around. This is not the way to deal with an increase in operating costs.

Here are some things that will happen as soon as they implement this latest brainstorm. 

• Ticket agents will now spend a considerable amount of time arguing with people in line about the new charge
• After this they will waste more time while they make change or run credit cards
• People in line behind these people will now start to grumble (me included) because we have to wait
• Because of the lines, they will have to bring in and train more agents
• In response to the above, people will choose to fly United until they start the same moronic plan

All of this when they could have quietly raised the ticket prices by $25.00 and no one would have cared or even noticed.

Good Job America Airlines.

Just a thought.

Keith