Nothing is Free

Coming home from the Dallas-Ft.Worth Airport on Sunday via American Eagle, the flight attendant announced that peanuts were available for $3. Also, if desired, anyone could also buy crackers, again for a $3 fee. Beer (a can) was $5; ditto for wine.

Here is what the ABC News reported on May 29:

In what could be the ultimate cost-cutting move by airlines buffeted by sky-high fuel prices, US Airways Group says it will eliminate free snacks in coach class on all its domestic flights starting June 1. The airline's largest hub is in Charlotte, N.C. In what could be the ultimate cost-cutting move by airlines buffeted by sky-high fuel prices, US Airways Group says it will eliminate free snacks in coach class on all its domestic flights starting June 1. The airline's largest hub is in Charlotte, N.C.

American_Airlines says: "If you are planning to travel by air on American Airlines, expect to pay an extra fee every time you check a bag. The airline points to rising fuel costs as the reason for why they are charging travelers $15 for the first bag. Checking a second bag already costs an extra $25. In addition to the new fees, American said it is also going to cut its U.S. flights by more than 10 percent, which will cause at least some people at the airline to lose their jobs."

Fortunately, water was distributed at no charge. But for around $200, the cost of a round-trip airline ticket to Dallas was worth the extra expense of a $3 pack of peanuts (with complimentary H2O). But since the flight was under two hours, I held off on snacks and just chewed gum.