Excess bags fees can be reimbursed to our Sailors...

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

Service Members Traveling On Official Business Will Continue To Be
Reimbursed For Travel Costs Despite Recent Increases In Fees.

With The Airline Industry Struggling, Many Carriers Have Begun
Charging Different Fees For Excess Baggage.

While Some Airlines Exempt Military Travelers From These Fees,
Service Members Who Are Still Charged Can Submit Their Receipts
And Claim Charges On Travel Vouchers.
Commands May Opt To Limit Payment After The First Checked Bag
Based On Length Of Travel And Mission Requirements.

taken from navy.mil news

[Brenda Sue]

This was in our local paper today!!

Airlines back off bag fees for troops
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Many of the nation's largest airlines have begun giving military personnel on official travel a pass on costly baggage fees when they carry heavy duffel bags stuffed with combat gear.

Faced with criticism from veterans groups and others that the fees are a financial burden, several airlines have announced exceptions for service members. AirTran Airways, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines said Friday they were waiving all or most of their baggage fees for active members of the U.S. military on official travel.

Earlier this week, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Horizon Air began waiving their fee to check a third bag for active service members.

David Castelveter, a spokesman for the transport association, said he expects most airlines to drop or modify their fees for military personnel on official travel.

[shell]

http://www.navyformoms.com/forum/topic/show?id=1971797%3ATopic%3A52...

If enough people push :)

[Barb K.]

My son left for his permanent duty station in Hawaii on July 31st. He had most of his things packed by the Navy before he left Groton, CT. He did bring clothes home with him when he came home after graduation and before he left. He had clothes here at home he wanted to bring as well as the clothes he brought with him from CT. When he went to the airport, he had his seabag, a large rolling duffle bag, and his garment bag with his uniforms. He also had a carry on bag with one of his work utilities and one change of civilian clothes in case his luggage got lost, plus his computer bag with his laptop. He was worried about the amount of bags he had and the weight of the larger bags. He knew that he had just been paid and had received a portion of his signing bonus, so he had the money, but he was still worried about getting all of his luggage through.
When we got to the airport in Albany, NY, the lady at the desk was very nice. She asked if he was active military and could she see his orders. After looking at his orders, she simply tagged his bags and sent them through. We were very lucky and very thankful that my son was able to get all of his bags on the plane and with him to Hawaii. I guess it depends on the airline and the personnel. Thankfully we had a good experience.

Barb K.

[Jackie]

I saw in the news that Delta will not charge for extra baggage for our servicemen/women. I had already made up my mind that if I found myself at the airport and a soldier was going to get charged, I was pulling out my wallet and paying for them. We have to take care of our own!