(CNN) -- Some airlines are charging U.S. soldiers extra baggage fees to take their military kits with them as they set off for war.
Some U.S. airlines give military personnel a break on baggage fees, but others levy surcharges.
Military personnel carry large, heavy kit bags containing boots, clothing and gear. In the past few months, airlines have instituted fees for all
travelers ranging from $15 for one bag to $250 for a third bag.
"What we want to do is nip this in the bud by exempting the military personnel who are traveling under orders from having to pay a fee on their third
bag," Veterans of Foreign Wars spokesman Joe Davis said.
The VFW sent a letter to the Air Transport Association of America, the aviation industry's umbrella group, asking that U.S. troops be exempt from any
extra baggage fees. Watch how troops are getting hit with fees »
"If you have a family at home and you stand at that airline counter and you have three bags in your hand, and they say you can't get on board unless
you pay $100 up front right now, what are you going to do?" Davis asked.
American Airlines, and others reached by CNN, says troops are allowed heavier and bigger bags and can check two for free, unlike commercial travelers.
Troops are allowed 190 pounds free of charge, American Airlines spokesman Tim Wagner said, adding, "if they pay, they get reimbursed, so at the end,
they don't pay a dime."
That's not a good answer, the VFW's Davis said.
"These young troops are going to war," he said. "There's a lot more on their mind than to have to worry or try to remember to get a hundred dollars
reimbursed to them when they get into a war zone."
The military usually issues vouchers authorizing extra baggage before a flight, but troops must pay up front if they don't have one.
And though reimbursement is likely, pending approval, as with any business expense, it is not guaranteed.
The Air Transport Association says that it supports the troops but that baggage policies are "made independently by the individual airlines."
The association says it has no plans to ask for an across-the-board waiver for U.S. service members.Discipline - 8-13-2008 at 07:35 PM
If they want bad press, they're going to get it. Fucking assholes.JawnDiablo - 8-13-2008 at 08:04 PM
Reading stuff like this really pisses me off.DAK - 8-13-2008 at 08:05 PM
Fucking scumbags.XHonusWagnerX - 8-13-2008 at 08:33 PM
Im speachless.CR83 - 8-13-2008 at 08:50 PM
It is just fucking sick. Consider me a "non-traveler" now. Motherfuckers, I REALLY fucking hate this. These people shouldn't even have to pay for
air travel.CR83 - 8-13-2008 at 08:53 PM
Not only that, it is from AMERICAN AIRLINES. Jesus!Barnesey - 8-13-2008 at 09:49 PM
that's more like it.
still agree that requiring the $100 for the third bag - even if it is reimbursed - is ridiculous.
what did that seattle times article say these guys make, $16k?
$100 is like 10% of their monthly take home.xoversux - 8-15-2008 at 07:19 AM
This is fucked up too
Quote:
Originally posted by BD
The military usually issues vouchers authorizing extra baggage before a flight, but troops must pay up front if they don't have one.
If it's the vouchers that I'm thinking of, the airline cashes them in with the government and they get top dollar back (our dollars).
