[ChrisH]

I talked to my manager, who was at company headquarters for a meeting a few weeks ago. I will not say what airline, but one major airline is thinking about starting to charge for carry ons as well. If one airline starts, the others will follow. I believe we will soon see a change to the carry on policy, to just one bag, instead of the one bag, AND a personal item (purse, laptop, backpack) rule that exists now. I also think we will soon see a charge for carry ons. This same airline is also thinking about charging people for selecting exit rows, and aisle seats. I know AirTran does this already. Again, once one major airline starts, the others will follow.

This does not mean any of the above is set to happen for sure, but according to my manager, the revenue department, etc., are all looking into it. They have realized how much money they are making on checked baggage, hence the reason the prices keep going up on checked baggage, and now they are looking to expand those fees to other areas, creating new revenue opportunities. At the rate things are going, I say start driving to your destinations. At least then you have control over getting there, control over your own luggage, and even if there is weather, or other issues that may slow you down, you still have control of continuing the trip, and not being faced with rampid charges, cancelled flights, and then no other flights to get you to your destination, leaving you stranded, etc.