Hidden fees making travelers angry
September 8, 2010, 03:02 pm
Pilots may find themselves being glad they get to be in the cockpit during flights. A survey shows many passengers are angry when they get to the airport.
The Consumer Travel Alliance, Business Travel Coalition and American Society of Travel Agents surveyed almost 1,400 people and found approximately two-thirds of airplane passengers were surprised at the airport by fees for checking bags or seat assignments. Such additional expenses strained their budgets.
Consumer Travel Alliance president Charlie Leocha says passengers should be made aware of fees in advance.
"When two out of every three air travelers say they have been surprised by hidden fees at the airport, you know the current system is broken and needs to be fixed," says Leocha. "Airlines should have to share their fees with every traveler, through every ticketing channel in which they participate, to every point of sale."
A recent article in the New York Times said fees brought in $8 billion for carriers last year. In addition to charging extra for luggage, the paper cites phone reservation fees and "peak travel" surcharges as recent ways airlines have made flying more expensive than the initial ticket price indicates. 
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