What's wrong is that the total cost isn't being disclosed up front. It's just like advertising "$10 iPod" and then charging $200 in shipping and handling.

Since the fees are advertised (though not included in the fare), I don't think you can say that the total cost isn't being disclosed. Anyone who has traveled since early 2008 is presumably factoring the baggage fees into the cost of their travel (as I do).

What's really irritating (to me) is passengers who are using advanced check-in so they can go directly to the gate -- with their oversize bag in tow. Once there, they are told they will have to gate check the bag but most airlines don't seem to be charging for gate checked bags. I don't care about the airlines losing the revenue, but I do care about the hold-ups and hassles it causes during boarding.

Actually, I kind of do think it's like the $10 IPod scam - yes, the fees are disclosed, on another page, in small print. It's not like it's right there along with the price "Only $50 each way, and, oh yeah, and on top of this, you'll be paying $25 per checked bag". Yes I know we should probably all be aware of it, but it keeps going up.

I wonder how long it'll be before they start charging "boarding pass handling fees", "seat cleaning fees", "oxygen fees", etc.

>..before they start charging "boarding pass handling fees"..

GBP 40 for turning up to a Ryanair flight without a boarding pass: "http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/may/14/ryanair-online-c...

And it's GBP 5 to check-in online at home: http://www.ryanair.com/en/questions/table-of-fees

I once had an easyjet flight where the "overweight" penalty on my bag cost more than my ticket.

If memory serves, the penalty was either 7 euro or 12 euro per kilogram.

The passengers gate checking bags aren't entirely innocent in the inconvenience caused, but I think the majority of the blame belongs on the airlines for trying to wring every last cent out of passengers.