The airlines are charging us for what?!

One of the things that's changed in the US since we've been abroad (a fairly recent, regrettable thing) is that airlines now charge for checked baggage. We had heard about that, in the news, but only now has it hit home, as we finally get the pleasure of forking over an extra 15 bucks for the first checked bag. (This is with US Airways, though it seems most airlines are comparable. At least this sort of nickel-and-diming hasn't yet hit international flights.) Just another way for airlines to earn money, I suppose. But why not simply include luggage costs in the actual ticket price (and impose even heftier penalties for those with extra, overweight or oversized bags)?

Hey, wait a minute... they already do that!

All this add-on charging reminds me of a comedy clip I saw online a year or so ago, in which passengers were cheerfully informed by the flight attendant that things like flotation devices and oxygen masks would of course be available for their safety and comfort... and that exact change would be greatly appreciated.

I remember also reading that this new policy among US carriers is likely to just encourage people to carry on as many bags as possible, stuffing full the overhead compartments and generally making the experience of boarding a plane that much more fun!