On a macro basis, many of the carriers now admit they are counting on bag fees for their profit, with fare increases pretty well constrained by the economy. It's a curious place for AS to make a stand, with the so called "late bag compensation", especially given all the bag handling issues they've had, and the fact that in one form or another, about 95% of baggage service is outsourced. They probably figure the charges will reduce the number of checked bags, and in any case, if you're already late, who is going to hang around to document a claim, particularly when there are fewer agents in that area, than ever.