Airlines decide to charge fees for checking in luggage at the airport…yeah.

Well, I’m going out of town today and I was checking in online and noticed something funny; U.S. Airways is now charging $20 at the airport for your first checked bag BUT if you pay for it on the internet, then it’s still *only* $15.

So, what is the extra $5 for?

Most likely, in my opinion, the fee is just another way to stick it to the consumer. I believe that I paid enough for my ticket to not have to pay for a checked bag, but that’s not my choice. I did, however, pack the biggest suitcase I own as well as the biggest carry on allowed by this particular plane (I’m flying regional jets).

I did a little snooping around and noticed that the change took affect at the beginning of July. I also noticed that US Airways isn’t the only carrier to do this.

Delta Air Lines has also added a $5 surcharge for paying the checked bag fee at the airport instead of when the flier does online check in. However, Delta has decided not to make the change happen until August 4th. This also means that Northwest and all the Delta Express, Northwest Airlink, Mesaba, etc will be doing the same.

United Airlines and Continental have also followed suit with their own “fees for paying fees” fee.

I find it absolutely stupid that I have to pay for a checked bag, now I have to pay a fee because of the fee if I don’t want to pay for the bag on the internet.

Airlines’ rules are strange, along with TSA regulations. This is why I’m getting to the airport at 10:30 for a flight that leaves at 12:45.