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FORT WORTH, TX-Cash-strapped American Airlines announced a new series of
fees this week that will apply to all customers not currently flying,
scheduled to fly, or even thinking about flying aboard the commercial
carrier.
The fees, the latest introduced by American Airlines in a continuing
effort to combat its financial woes, will take effect on Monday.
According to company officials, these charges will include a $25 tax on
citizens traveling with any other airline, as well as a mandatory $30
surcharge for passengers who decide to just stay home for the holidays
instead.
"Tough times unfortunately mean tough measures," American Airlines
president Gerard Arpey said. "It's never an easy decision to ask our
loyal customers, as well as thousands of people chosen at random out of
a telephone book, to pay a little extra, but that's just the reality of
today's economic climate. We hope all Americans will understand this
when receiving one of our new bills in the mail."
Arpey said that non-passengers of American Airlines should expect to pay
a small fee when making Greyhound bus reservations, choosing to drive to
their final destination, or simply being a citizen of the United States
with a valid Social Security number.
Arpey went on to note that some additional charges would also apply,
including a $15 fee for every piece of luggage customers have inside
their bedroom closet, and a one-time payment of $40 for any American
whose name is Greg.
"We are confident that these new measures will not discourage customers
from flying with American Airlines," vice president Margaret Wilkinson
said. "However, we'd like to remind our customers that there is a
'discouraged-from-flying-with-American-Airlines' charge if they do in
fact choose not to fly with us."
American Airlines, which posted a $1.45 billion loss in the second
quarter of 2008 alone, claimed that the new fees-including the Taking A
Shower Fee, the Knowing What An Airplane Looks Like Fee, and the Eating
E.L. Fudge Cookies While Watching A Rerun Of House Fee-will help the
company rebound. According to internal projections, the airline will
recoup $500 million in the next three months alone, with nearly 80
percent of that revenue coming from citizens asleep at home.
"Watching television last night cost me $250," said Baltimore resident
Michael Peterson, one of many Americans now forced to pay high airline
costs for folding their laundry and going to the ophthalmologist. "It's
ridiculous, but what can you do? I guess that's just the price of not
flying these days."
"American Airlines charged me for cleaning out my attic," said
74-year-old Samantha Pratt, a New Jersey resident who has not left the
state since 2005. "Sure, I didn't have to wait in any long lines, or go
through invasive security searches, and I got to clean out my attic,
which is something I've been wanting to do for weeks, but come on now."
In response to American's move, other airlines have begun offering more
competitive rates. United this week unveiled a new $99 "spend the
weekend quietly reading indoors" offer, while Southwest is introducing a
$125 round-trip fare for those walking to their corner store for some
groceries.
JetBlue, a commercial carrier known for its thrifty rates, has come out
ahead of the pack, however, and is being lauded for its decision not to
charge non-passengers not to fly.
Despite reduced offers such as these, many remain concerned over the new
fees. Some have even expressed doubt about whether they'll be able to
afford to see family members they currently live with during Christmas.
"It's just not worth it anymore," said Caroline Huza, an Ohio native and
mother of two. "Plus, every time I stay at home, I always get trapped
next to some kid who won't stop crying."
W sumie to moglbym byc bezinteresowny... Tylko co bym z tego mial?
Swoja droga, niejeden "Paki" zyjacy tu dluzej niz 6 miesiecy tez nie potrafi mowic po angielsku. A duzo ich pracuje na roznego rodzaju infoliniach 
