VFW WI Post 11346

VFW Wants Military Exempt From Airline Baggage Fees

Posted at 04:42 PM on Monday, August 11, 2008 by post11346

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2008--A Texas newspaper article last week about an airline charging a young soldier heading to Iraq $100 for a third piece of luggage has prompted the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars to ask an airline trade association for help to establish a set baggage policy for all military personnel traveling on official orders.

In a letter sent today, [Read Letter] George J. Lisicki asked the Air Transport Association to negotiate an agreement with its member airlines to exempt military personnel traveling on official orders from paying baggage fees on a third piece of luggage.

All major U.S. carriers currently waive baggage fees for up to two bags for military traveling under orders. However, a $100 fee for checking a third bag appears to be the industry norm, unless you are flying first class or are an elite frequent flyer.

"I completely understand the financial constraints the airline industry is in," wrote Lisicki, a Vietnam combat veteran from Carteret, N.J., "but I also know the military traveler is an extremely small fraction of the total passengers carried. Those who wear the uniform today are a special class of citizen who enable everyone else to enjoy every liberty our great country holds dear. They deserve special treatment because they have earned it."

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