The issue arose after Delta charged several servicemen a premium for the extra baggage that they were required to carry to do their jobs. These were mostly weapons. The GI's made an issue with the media that they should not have been charged these fees because they are in the military. The media especially Fox News has made a huge deal about the fees and has called on Delta to stop charging military members for extra bags. There is also some congressman from CA who has introduced a resolution stating that airlines should charge the military for extra bags.
Now in general, I think that charging passengers of any profession for bags is a horrible idea. But this is the current policy of several airlines. The charges are, currently, the difference between profits and losses to the majority of carriers participating. They are significant streams of revenue. It has also been my experience Delta is very appreciative of the members of our military.
Here is my rub. First, these men are flying a commercial airline whose policy it is to charge for baggage. The airline makes no secret of this. The men should have known going in that the extra bags would incur a charge. Secondly, the soldiers are "employees" of the federal government. The weapons they carry are required to do their jobs. These fees should be paid by their "employer". If the "employer" doesn't want to pay the fees they can ship the weapons separately or could choose another airline that doesn't charge for extra baggage.
If an employee of any private business flies this airline to fulfill their job responsibilities, the company would be rightfully expected to pay the fees for the extra bags required to do that job.
Even though, this makes for a "feel-good" way of demonizing Delta, their policy was clearly stated and, in my opinion, they are not at all obligated to change their policy just because the passenger is employed by Uncle Sam.
~CjW
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