Originally Posted by Zarf4

Although I'm sympathetic with the plight of the airlines with rising costs across the board I'm extremely offended with the method AA chose to implemented this fee.

Instead of an honest "Sorry, due to economic factors we're forced to raise tix prices by $x" they stick it to us with this garbage fee. I'm convinced that it's just to have a bogus "lower price" for all the search engines. What's worse is this is an oxymoron like a "temporary sales tax". Should fuel prices ever go down will this fee go away?

We're a small company, but we make several hundred flights a year on AA. I know it's juvenile but I just sent out a company-wide memo stating that AA is no longer a carrier of choice and any bookings on AA must be approved in advance with supporting documentation that it is at least $100 lower than any other flight option. This policy will remain in place even if the other carriers follow suit. I'm not making any friends but feel I'm doing what little I can not to reward bad behavior.

I was also not amused by the chirpy "Be Prepared, Pack Like A Pro" line at the bottom of their Updated Checked Baggage Policy page.