American Airlines Raises Checked Baggage Fees ... Again

American Airlines has been squeezing consumers out of money recently (although to be fair, what airline hasn't been trying to get more money for pedantic services?) vis a vis checked baggage charges.

I actually checked a bag for the first time in freaking forever when I went to Chicago two weeks ago and, well, good Lord: It's absolutely insane that you have to pay $15 to stow your bag in the belly of an airplane for which you have already paid $300 to fly on. Good news is, you won't have to pay $15 any more. Now it's $20!

Yup, that's right: an additional $5 per bag when you check your luggage. How wonderful. In case anyone's curious, yes, this is precisely what leads to that jerk behind you stuffing your bag further bag into the compartment with his "carry-on" which weighs roughly 600 pounds.

Justin Timberlake Gives Southwest Accidental Advertising

When we think of celebrities traveling, we think of giant private jets, stretch limousines, and hovercrafts. They are, after all, celebrities, so why would they ever roll with the common folk?

Justin Timberlake made an exception of this rule recently, as found by TMZ (via Jaunted), when he hopped aboard a Southwest Airlines flight from Burbank to Las Vegas ... coach style!

According to a TMZ spy who happened to be on the same flight, JT and his
bodyguard were allowed to board the plane first -- but somehow the massive bodyguard got stuck in the dreaded middle seat anyway. We're told the bodyguard tried to shoo away a passenger who asked for an autograph after the flight, but Justin happily signed anyway.

Um, yeah, "surprising" doesn't do this revelation justice -- Timberlake's one of the most recognizable celebs in the entire universe, and it's completely shocking that he only got one signature request.

The real thing to focus on here, though, is that Southwest should be jumping all over Timberlake for advertising; I would think that normal folks would be 150% more likely to purchase a Southwest flight out of Burbank (or in/out of Las Vegas) if they thought there was a chance for a celebrity sighting, and Timberlake could pick up some free tickets in the process. Or, you know, enough money to avoid flying coach next time.

Photo via TMZ