Another reason to pack light.
 

http://www.mercurynews.com/valley/ci_9343474

I just read this article about American Airlines charging for your 1st checked bag now. With gas prices so high, it's not unexpected, but it still sucks since most of the other carriers will eventually do the same. Oh well, one more incentive to only bringing one bag.

I meant to say that they will start charging on June 15th.

there better be some alternative fuel jets on the horizon or else flying is going to be out of most backpacker's budgets soon :(

Better than raising fares for everyone, I don't check a bag about 80% of the time when I fly! And I am almost always am on American.

I always check my bag because of my toiletries and the stupid 100 ml rule. Otherwise I could carry it on. I always fly US Airways but they'll probably adopt this policy too.

Yeah, the toiletries are annoying, but I prefer to carry on and I just buy smaller containers for all of my toiletries. I'm sure all of the carriers will start changing their policies soon enough anyways. As maracle stated, it is much better than increasing the fares even more. It's much more convenient carrying everything on anyways as long as they don't start restricting that even more too.

I thought it was US law that an airlines has to allow you two checked bags when flying?

Surely charging you for one has to some kind of violation?

Never liked AA anyway, I'm a CO man :p