US Airways

The Arizona Republic has an interesting story about airline passengers trying to cram as much stuff into their carry-on luggage as possible to avoid checked-bag fees. That in itself was nothing revolutionary. But a few things stuck out to me:
1. Cheapskate passengers are slowing up the laborious boarding process for everyone else because, while they can afford airline tickets, they’re too cheap and inconsiderate to check their bags.
2. Unfortunately, these self-centered skinflints are getting away with it. Heck, they should have to pay double the check bag fees for doing it at the gate. Airlines must CLOSE THIS LOOPHOLE.
3. PR consultant Melissa Rein, who is quoted in the story, apparently can’t live without half of her closet when she travels. And she’s pretty unabashed at saying she scoffs at the system. Honey, you need to work for a better PR agency that will pay you enough to afford check your bags. Or better yet … be less high-maintenance and leave a few things at home when you want to get away from it all. “She ignored fellow passengers’ eye rolls as her boyfriend stuffed the garment bag into the overhead bin,” reporter Dawn Gilbertson wrote. Dude, you picked a real winner there – like Paris Hilton, but without the inheritance. Definitely living up to the PR twit stereotype that news reporters so love to skewer (and I have no doubt Dawn was delighted to write that line).
4. Emily Wold, mother of five kids, played by the rules. She got her kids luggage [...]