It's not really to encourage better consumer behavior - airlines want this behavior to generate fees because they're making their money from fees, not from tickets (except from frequent fliers who fly a variety of fares, hence the Elite discounts).

If they sell a $129 ticket and you don't buy anything on board, don't watch TV, don't check a bag, don't change your ticket and don't buy an upgrade, you've basically cost them money.

If you buy that same $129 ticket and buy lunch on board, watch TV, and check a bag, you've given them a "free" $50 fare increase. That's why unbundling is so great for airlines and a horror for consumers - it drives incremental revenue, forcibly if you need to check a bag or change a ticket. Need to book a ticket and can't get to the Internet - another $30.

No wonder Congress is looking into the proliferation of airline fees and figuring out ways to slow or stop the practice. Look at the Mephistopheles of the airline industry Ben Baldanza and what he did at Spirit (and what he did previously at US - the man is a psycho menace). I think we need one or two other airlines to implement carry-on bag fees and Congress will slam their foot down on the fee scheme in its entirety.

If Congress bans the collection of fees for anything other than ticketing changes (the way it used to be), the airlines will be forced as a collective group to raise airfares to a sustainable level where money can be made and services can be delivered....you know...like a normal business.

However, we should appreciate that we have a voice from Continental who is here to help us and deliver information straight-up, honestly and without marketing hype or spin...even if the news isn't always good.