While I support the DOT’s effort to make sure the fees are published upfront, I do think there need to be limits on some fees, chief among them carry on luggage. If the airlines are charging for checked baggage, there need to be rules preventing them from charging for carry ons. It is not acceptable for airlines to have what is in effect a mandatory fee for carrying any luggage at all on a vacation. Luggage is not something that very many air travelers can cut out altogether, the DOT should step in and prevent them from charging fees on all of it.
In relation to mthornt1′s point, the overhead bins are not the only place to put luggage. There is room under the seats that is designed for luggage as well. If airlines have restrictions on carryons, it’s up to them to determine how much they want to enforce them.
While I support the DOT’s effort to make sure the fees are published upfront, I do think there need to be limits on some fees, chief among them carry on luggage. If the airlines are charging for checked baggage, there need to be rules preventing them from charging for carry ons. It is not acceptable for airlines to have what is in effect a mandatory fee for carrying any luggage at all on a vacation. Luggage is not something that very many air travelers can cut out altogether, the DOT should step in and prevent them from charging fees on all of it.
In relation to mthornt1′s point, the overhead bins are not the only place to put luggage. There is room under the seats that is designed for luggage as well. If airlines have restrictions on carryons, it’s up to them to determine how much they want to enforce them.