While I'll admin that energy prices were higher in the summer, and it will cost more to perform airport security, I agree that this whole 'surcharge' thing is starting to get out of hand. There's already a 7.5% (?) tax on airline tickets. What exactly is that covering?
About 10yrs or so ago, when airlines and airports wanted to expand, they couldn't get their hands onto money from the aviation trust fund. So they added the new Passenger Facility Charge (PFC's) to raise money for development. Shouldn't that have come from existing tax revenue?
If they want to add a surcharge for security, then maybe there should be no 'flat' tax on tickets. Have every item broken out as the individual costs.

What you'll also see, since these surcharges conveniently aren't added into the advertised fees, is 'final' ticket prices much higher than the advertised price. That $99 each way cross country fare is probably going to become a $240 round trip cost.
I also had a similar 'sticker shock' experience like a previous poster. For an August PHL-MSY ticket on United, my $89 total R/T fare was $55 for the air ticket, and $34 in total taxes and fees. A little ridiculous.

Jeff