http://www.nbc5i.com/trav...=mainclick

FORT WORTH, Texas -- American Airlines said Wednesday it will cut back on domestic flights, lay off workers and add assorted passenger fees as it grapples with record-high fuel prices.

American said it would begin charging a $15 fee for the first checked bag beginning June 15 and would raise other fees for services ranging from reservation services to oversized bags.

The nation's largest carrier said at its shareholders meeting that it would cut domestic flight capacity by 11 to 12 percent in the fourth quarter. American had previously expected fourth-quarter capacity to fall 4.6 percent from the same period in 2007.

Fort Worth-based parent AMR Corporation said reduced flying will lead to job cuts at both American and its American Eagle subsidiary.

AMR expects to retire 45 to 50 planes from its fleet, most of them gas-guzzling MD-80 aircraft. Those were the planes grounded for faulty wiring last month.

American said rising oil prices have increased its expected annual fuel costs by nearly $3 billion since the start of the year.

More luggage means more weight means more fuel.

Genesia said:

and it's taken them HOW many years to realize this?

Anxiety said:

Oh, they knew it before, certainly. It's just reached critical mass (no pun intended) with fuel prices what they are now.

More luggage means more weight means more fuel.

Genesia said:

Yeah, but they're gonna start charging for the FIRST checked bag. They just started charging for the SECOND bag a few months ago. So even if you only have one bag, which they expect and factor into the weight on the flight, it's gonna cost you extra. That's a new twist. If I buy a plane ticket, I'd expect that bringing one piece of luggage to be included in the cost. Well, no more. . .

SCNDLS said:

You can still take one bag for nothing - as long as it's small enough to carry on.

SCNDLS said:

You can still take one bag for nothing - as long as it's small enough to carry on.

Genesia said:

They make some great carry-on bags now that can really fit a lot. I never check a bag if I can at all avoid it, and it's pretty easy to avoid.

Yeah, but you can't carry it on if it doesn't fit into the airlines guidelines and they've made the size thing smaller in recent years to reduce the size of a carry on.

More luggage means more weight means more fuel.

Genesia said:

OK... Marry me.

SCNDLS said:

I was talking about bags that do fit. Also, there's a big difference between what men need to travel and what women need. The new rule is probably a lot more unfair to women than it is to men. I'm flying tomorrow and not coming back until Tuesday and I have no doubts that I'll be able to fit the T-shirts I need into a carry-on.

SCNDLS said:

I was talking about bags that do fit. Also, there's a big difference between what men need to travel and what women need. The new rule is probably a lot more unfair to women than it is to men. I'm flying tomorrow and not coming back until Tuesday and I have no doubts that I'll be able to fit the T-shirts I need into a carry-on.

Twiki said:

Exactly! I can't fit all my toiletries into a 1 qt bag to bring on the plane and I recently spent only 3 days in New York, bringing my smallest suitcase and I ended up having to buy a bag there to bring my shopping purchases home in.

Giovanni777 said:

The fact that I know this does not mean I always pack light.

<--- once travelled to London with a suitcase filled with nothing but shoes

Twiki said:

Yes, big difference between what men and women need for a trip. I could NEVER get what I need for a 3 day trip in one carry on. When I went to NYC I had a small suitcase no carry on. I've tried to carry that on and although it fits fine in the overhead compartment it doesn't fit in the airlines' size thingy so they make me check it. I don't think I overpack but I'd need 2 outfits for each day, at least 3 pairs of shoes, makeup, toiletries, etc. Oh plus there's the fact that most toiletries, hair products, colognes are more than 4 oz which you can't carry on. That's another reason I have to check luggage.

SCNDLS said:

i did 11 days in london with a carry-on and a large purse. it's doable. you just have to learn to fold creatively, and not pack bulky not all of your makeup has to go in the quart-sized bags, just the liquids.