Lawmakers Against Spirit Airlines's $45 Carry-on Fee

Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the fee a "slap in the face to travelers." Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) called it "skyway robbery."

What is going on with Spirit Airlines? Why is its CEO Baldanza asking passengers to pay $45 for their carry on? Fortunately, there are some lawmakers who are standing against the company with us. Now, Baldanza is saying that if we pay online, we can pay only $30. He is trying to resolve the overstuffed carry on bags that most airlines close their eyes on. Thanks God, thus far, some of the other major companies said they are not going to add a fee to that.

Everyone hopes that he drops this crazy idea which aims at finding new sources of income for the company.

"The lawmakers hope to put the kibosh on the fee by imposing a tax on all airline revenue collected from such charges.

Baldanza says the senators and most of the media are looking at the fees the wrong way. He noted that passengers can bring a carry-on bag for free as long as it fits under the seat. Anything bigger will cost $45, reduced to $30 if paid online. The fee takes effect Aug. 1.

George Hobica, founder of the travel tip website Airfarewatchdog.com, thinks Spirit might have added the fee not to make money but to solve the industrywide problem of overstuffed overhead bins.

On Sunday, five of the nation's largest airlines -- American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, US Airways and JetBlue Airways -- promised not to add a carry-on bag fee..."