Happy Fourth of July

World Hum’s Most Read: June 28-July 3

What We Loved This Week: Def Leppard in Greece, Austrian Competence and Freedom in Colombia

The LAX Theme Building, Then and Now

As a Woman, Can I Really Travel Without Much Fear for my Safety?

Vagabonding traveler Rolf Potts answers your questions about travel

Inside Slum Tourism

With mixed feelings, Rob Verger recently signed on for a tour of Rio de Janeiro’s favelas. He looks back on the experience—and the photos he was allowed to take.

Break Bread and Brie in France

Great cheese abounds in the land of Gaul, but dig in and you risk committing any number of faux pas. Terry Ward explains how to partake of the nation’s famed fromage with savoir faire.

10 Wanderlust-Inducing Summer Concerts

Call it world music or global pop or the sound of the world hum. Ben Keene reveals 10 acts on tour that are sure to transport you. Plus videos.

Bryan Mealer: ‘War and Deliverance in Congo’

The former AP correspondent traveled up the Congo River. Frank Bures asks the author of “All Things Must Fight to Live” about following in the wake of Joseph Conrad. 

A Journey Into ‘The Second World’

Some bureaucrats joke that they would never claim expertise about countries they had not at least flown over. In an excerpt from his new book, Parag Khanna argues that real global understanding can only come from serious travel.

‘The Worst Guidebook Writer Ever’?

Lonely Planet author Robert Reid reviews Thomas Kohnstamm’s “Do Travel Writers Go to Hell?” and weighs in on the controversy surrounding it

American Airlines Announces $15 Fee For Checking First Bag

IT’S NOT REALLY SURPRISING.MAYBE THE FLYING PUBLIC SHOULD DEMAND BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE. WHY DON’T WE AS THE PUBLIC START CHARGING THE AIRLINES FOR BAD SERVICE,DELAYED OR CANCELLED FLIGHTS,OVER BOOKING ETC..WHAT ABOUT THE DELAYS IN COMPLYING WITH SAFETY REGULATIONS. REMEMBER THAT? WHAT DO YOU SAY AMERICA. AREN’T YOU GETTING TIRED OF CORPORATE AMERICA PASSING ON ALL THE BS TO THE ALREADY STRAPPED AMERICAN PUBLIC?

Hi Mike:

Let’s see, hm, only $15 bucks!

How many duty-free cartons of 555s and bottles of champers can I squeeze into that bag?

Partay on American!!! Whoodoggie!

Suppose there was an “import-export” business, and nobody came. . . .

John M. Edwards

Mike,

Time to writearticles on how to pack lightly for carry on. :)

Also, what I don’t get is where this transaction is going to take place. Curbside, with cash?

I would much rather pay for it when I book the ticket, not having to bring extra cash, or whip out my credit card during the check in process.

Also, I’m assuming it’s $15 per bag, per one-way flight. So unless you don’t plan on returning by plane from your trip, it’s really a $30 fee.

While I’m happy to see that international travelers are exempted from this charge (try going for a week with only a carry-on...) it really is time to start thinking about alternative modes of transport.

There is a range of bus and train services available even in the U.S. Maybe this kind of stuff will finally get them more business.

i definately loved this thank you for the post it was very informative

If it costs more to conduct business, why wouldn’t you expect the airlines to pass the cost on to the traveler?  Of course LOW COST fares will go up first, those are the ones with the smallest margin of profit.  I would imagine that people will now try to jam even more items onto their carry on bags, making cabin’s more stressful at least for a while.  As for other modes of transportation, yes they are cheap (and I don’t want any women I know riding busses) but my time is more valuable.

I would like someone to post the saleries of the airline executives.

Airlines use to be all about customer service,not anymore.
I was on an American flight,the flight attendant spilled coffee on me,she didn’t even ask if I was ok or if it burnt me,she just flopped some napins on my arm and said here.
The airlines have be come the most non customer service oriented business in America .
I agree with Dana we should be charging the airlines.
What needs to happen is the government needs to back to regulating the airlines,we did not have these problems when they were regulated.