I live just north of Sunny, beautiful and hot Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. And this sunday on the front page of the Sun Sentinel (our local newspaper) there was a story on all of the fees that have been surfacing lately. Here is a few of them.

Airtran: First Checked Bag: none, Second Checked Bag: $10, Curbside Check in: None, Domestic Ticket Changes: $75, Assigned Seating: $6/ $20 (for an exit row seat)

American Airlines: First Checked Bag: $15, Second Checked Bag: $25, Curbside Check in: $2, Domestic Ticket Changes: $150, Assigned Seating: none.

Continental: First Checked Bag: none, Second Checked Bag: $25, Curbside Check in: none, Domestic Ticket Changes: $150, Assigned Seating: none.

Delta: First Checked Bag: none, Second Checked Bag: $25, Curbside Check in: $3, Domestic Ticket Changes: $100, Assigned Seating: none.

JetBlue: First Checked Bag: none, Second Checked Bag: $20, Curbside Check in: $2, Domestic Ticket Changes: $100, Assigned Seating: none.

Southwest: First Checked Bag: none, Second Checked Bag: none, Curbside Check in: none, Domestic Ticket Changes: none, Assigned Seating: none.

Spirit: First Checked Bag: $20, Second Checked Bag: $20, Curbside Check in: $2, Domestic Ticket Changes: $60-70, Assigned Seating: none.

US Airways: First Checked Bag: none, Second Checked Bag: $25, Curbside Check in: $2, Domestic Ticket Changes: $150, Assigned Seating: $5.

So as you can see, the only airlines that is not charging fees is Southwest. We all have the Saudi Oil Barons to thank for this. As fuel goes up the board of directors at these airlines need to keep things in the black. And I have heard that they do not want to raise ticket prices because people would jump ship and go for the lower priced airlines.

Maybe it is time the Airlines look into a few things to cut costs internally. Like I am sure that the CEO's of these companies have salaries of $2 million + with annual bonuses topping their yearly salaries. We could trim that a bit couldn't we? What about better more efficient jet engines? Come on we can put a remote controlled car on Mars and we still use jet engines? We do not have any other means of propulsion on the drawing table? Security. Hire private firms, with competive bids. And have FBI and CIA inspect these firms at all times. Have them try and get stuff through security check points.

But beyond all of that how do we fly cheaper? Here are a few things I have come up with.
1) Look closer at those fees above. Some airlines like American waive the fees for flyers that hold certain credit cards. Before you book your flights see if you are e member of any frequent flyer program and if being a member waives the fees for you.

2) Frequent Flyer miles. Last time I checked it was only 25,000 miles to purchase a domestic ticket through American Airlines. And most of the time you can get free 25,000 miles just for signing up for the card. You could also put everything in you life on the frequent flyr credit card to earn miles. Gas, groceries, bills, Christmas Presents. It all adds up, adds up to a free plane ticket.

3) Sorry ladies. Pack less. Go to an airlines website and see what their baggage size limits are and go get a bag that meets those requirements to the "T". And take only one bag. A seven day trip means, only seven changes of clothes plus some for nighttime wear. Take only three pairs of shoes. Or ask your self if it is worth the extra fee to take that eleventh pair of shoes Carrie Bradshaw.

Have fun Traveling.

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