Troops pay baggage fees on way to war zones (CNN)

[eppur_se_muova]

From Deborah Feyerick
CNN

(CNN) -- Some airlines are charging U.S. soldiers extra baggage fees to take their military kits with them as they set off for war.

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," said Veterans of Foreign Wars spokesman Joe Davis.

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.
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The military usually issues vouchers authorizing extra baggage before a flight, but troops must pay up front if they don't have one.
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more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/08/13/troops.baggage/index.html

[Bobbie Jo]

1. WTF? no words...just WTF? nt

[TomInTib]

2. Olberman had this last night. Totally pissed me off.

These troops are not vacationers or business travelers.

Absolutely outrageous.

[DesertFlower]

3. Jesus H. Christ. nt

[mike_c]

4. someone has to pay for the energy required to lift that mass....

I agree that it shouldn't be troops traveling under orders, but is it the airline's responsibility to subsidize military cartage? Shouldn't the Pentagon take responsibility for moving troop kits?

[Oregone]

5. There is a price to pay for the opportunity to unload a 50 cal through an Iraqi child's forehead...

What, all that fun for free? Make these boys shell in a few bucks.


Obvious sarcasm here...well, maybe just a little.

[itsrobert]

6. Every service member is suppose to have a Government Issue (VISA) Credit Card

for use in cases like these. They are re-reimbursed for the extra baggage fee when they claim it on their travel voucher. The credit card is automatically paid directly. Some services don't like giving their members credit card because of problems of abuse in the past. They give them weapons, but they can't trust them with a Visa. That's the military branch's problem, not the airline. Somebody has to pay for the extra fuel it takes. The cost would be passed on to you.