War on Terror
American Airlines Forces Soldiers to Pay bag Fee
August 2008 
Of all the ways they could have chosen to cut their costs, they chose this ...
By Andrew Peterson
For CoverUps.com
No doubt about it: American Airlines has shot itself in the foot for charging soldiers bound for Iraq fees of up to $300 for carry-on bags.
The Washington Times, which broke the story, quotes Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) spokesman Joseph Davis. He had this to say:
That's a lot to ask when the service member has much more important things on their minds, such as staying alive and keeping those around them alive."
The VFW is urging the Air Transport Association (ATA) to ask its member airlines to end the practice.
In a letter to the ATA on Friday, VFW President George J. Lisicki said troops understand the financial constraints the airline industry faces but that the military traveler represents a minute fraction of the total passengers carried every year.
An ATA spokesman said the association will respond directly to the veterans association.
Admittedly the airlines, who have seen their jet fuel costs skyrocket with the price of oil, are in a tough spot. But surely there are better ways to get out of it than by passing the burden on to our men and women in the military.
In a written statement to The Washington Times, James C. May, president and chief executive officer of the ATA, said it is individual airlines that must determine fare rates.
"While ATA cannot by law even suggest uniform pricing policies to our members, we will bring this matter to their attention for their independent consideration, " Mr. May said.
Our Take
However difficult the commercial aviation business has become, it is unseemly for the airlines to complicate the lives of our soldiers like this. Let's not forget about the cost of 9/11 to the airlines – and keep in mind that soldiers are fighting and dying abroad to prevent another 9/11 from happening. Hopefully the PR fallout from this sorry little episode will be enough to motivate the airlines to find another way to recoup their costs.
Link to article. 
