"National Call To Action" In Response To Spirit Airlines Announcement

This might be somehow appropriate for tax day. Flyers Rights.org has responded to a recent announcement by Spirit Airlines that it will be charging passengers for the privilege of placing their luggage in the cabin's overhead storage bins by calling upon Congress to ban such practices permanently. Also, in light of a recent announcement by Irish carrier RyanAir that it will begin charging passengers for in-flight bathroom us the group also urged Congress to prohibit U.S. carriers from doing likewise.

"The commercial airlines have reached a new low by attempting to charge passengers for the right to place their luggage in the overhead bins," Flyers Rights President and Founder Kate Hanni said in a news release Wednesday. "It seems they will continue try and squeeze out every dollar they can from passengers, regardless of economic hardship, inconvenience or humiliation."

Spirit Air, according to their announcement, plans to charge $45 each way for the use of overhead luggage bins by passengers. The fee drops to $30 for customers who reserve a spot before arriving at the gate, either online or at the ticket counter. Members of the Spirit Fare Club will have to pay $20. This is in addition to their current policy of charging anywhere from $15 - $90 for checked luggage.

"The reasons why the U.S. has become the 'Land of the Fee' when it comes to air travel is simple: fees are treated differently than other revenue, in terms of the taxes they have to pay to fund the national aviation system," added Hanni, "So not only do these latest gimmicks harm passengers they are shortchanging all of us by skirting their responsibility to help maintain and upgrade our nation's aviation infrastructure."

Ryanair has begun retrofitting their fleet of airliners to begin charging passengers for the "privilege" of using their onboard restroom during flights. Passengers will pay approximately $1.40 each time nature calls while flying. In addition, three of the four restrooms currently on their airplanes will be removed to make space for additional seats.

The organization has established an online petition against the practices.

FMI: www.ipetitions.com/petition/flyersrights-nomoresurcharges, www.flyersrights.org