Flying the Miserly Skies

Taking a trip by plane? Be sure you've got your wallet, and not much else. United Airlines announced today that, with very few exceptions, they will be slapping a $25 fee on a second piece of checked luggage for travelers with nonrefundable domestic economy tickets. Note that it's a one-way fee. If you're checking a second piece of luggage for a round trip, you'll actually have to pay $50.

If customers don't show much resistance, expect to see these fees popping up at other carriers. NBC Nightly News reported tonight that US Airways is taking a look at such a fee, and surely others will follow.

I understand that airlines are suffering from high fuel and labor costs, but is nickel and diming passengers the way to go? My advice: Consider another mode of transportation, fly a carrier that doesn't charge such fees, or invest your $25 to $50 in the largest suitcase and carry-on you can get away with under the new rules.