AIRLINES ARE GOUGING US AGAIN. WHERE'S CONGRESS & NEW  REGULATIONS.

THE KUHNS REPORT

LAS VEGAS - Hello America, and how is the world treating you?

Well, here we go again. The airlines are at it again. Jet Blue, Delta, American and other airline are raising fees again,.  Th cost of the first bag will be $35.00, instead of the previous $30.00. The second bag will increase also. Another increase is if you wish to change your flight plans or cancel. That fee goes from $200.00 to $250.00.

People,  when is enough, enough? Remember when these airlines started dinging us for bag fees. They told us they would keep the cost down and the fees might only be temporary. Since the inception of charging us traveler's the additional bag fees, those fees continued to increase.  The airlines found that charging for the bags increased their bottom line by millions and they continued to get greedy.

The airlines cut all amenities when and where ever they could. The meals, the beverages and even the small pack of peanuts are a thing of the past.They reduced the amount of seating space allowed for the  flying customer just to allow them to pack in even more passengers on the plane. One airline years ago  mulled over the idea of having people stand instead of sit so they could carry more passengers on each flight. I really believe the airlines could, and would make a passenger stand during a flight  if it meant cramming more people on the  plane.

The airlines were deregulated decades ago with our lawmakers saying it would allow for cheaper airline fares. And they suggested mote people would be able to afford to fly. However, since the airlines were deregulated they gamed the system and now, look  where the flying public is.? We have only high prices, lost amenities, cramped seating space,  flight delays,  passengers stranded on  runways for hours on end without food, water, and restrooms. And that's just some of the problems we now have with a deregulated airline industry.

I would suggest that the Congress and government step up and formulate brand new regulations. The airline industry should be mandated to follow new, strict regulations. Hold the airlines accountable and stop the gouging. The FAA has been falling down on the job for years when it comes to holding any airline accountable for their gross abuses to the flying public.

I remember the time (40's ,50's, 60's and 70's) when flying used to be a fun experience. The employees were courteous, there was ample seating space for everyone on board, food was served to the passengers, snacks and drinks were always available. Now,  to squeeze every penny out of the customer the airlines eliminated most ,if not all of the amenities,. They began charging for the little extras that used to be part of the flight and when they found they could get away with  applying a fee for  extra bags, the airlines went wild.. It turned out to be a real  moneymaker for them. They made  millions more a year. At every opportunity they raise those fees. The airlines now are looking to find each and every thing they can attach a fee to.

Folks, once the greed starts and sets in, it only escalates. And the airlines have been on this greed trip for years, taking advantage of the flying public. And, unless we scream to high heaven  and  insist our  milk toast lawmakers in Washington set new rules and regulation AND insist they stop taking money for the airline industry LOBBYISTS, our flying on an airline will only get worse..-- And,  that's my opinion.  Make your own decision. You decide.

BRADLEY W. KUHNS, Ph.D., O.M.D.
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Dr. Kuhns can be reached by email at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com