WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH YOUR BAGGAGE?

Here's the latest nonsense from your leading airlines. First, they had an idea to weigh each passenger and charge them extra if they weighed too much. As stupid and insensitive as it sounds, they might still do it. I guess now,instead of security personnel we'll have a whole new workforce -- the weight-control police. It will create jobs for the economy. They will decide if you're overweight, or not. Of course, if you happen to slip by this time, don't you dare think you'll get away with it again. Once onboard, they'll ply you with pretzels, m & m's, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups etc. After five hours in the air, you most certainly will consume these awful items out of necessity and sheer hunger, and it's conceivable that you could put on a few unwanted pounds by the time you arrive at your destination. That means you may be charged extra for being overweight on your return flight? Sounds funny? Well, it isn't. This concept seems to have been put on the back-burner (no doubt filled with oils and fat and other gunk) but don't be surprised if it becomes a reality sometime in the future. "Ludicrous" is the only word I can think of to describe this idea. They've got to be kidding!

What isn't funny is the fact that "free baggage allowance" is now a thing of the past. With several major carriers, you now must pay extra if you need to check a single suitcase. Unless you're on your way to a nudist camp, it is impossible to avoid taking a suitcase. So be prepared to wait in long lines so you can shell out the bucks to subsidize the poor, overstuffed, starving airlines. Adding insult to injury, if the bag is a bit heavy, you can't even check it as luggage. You must ship it as air freight. I don't get it. The airlines claim that overweight bags cause them to pay extra for the additional fuel they have to put on the airplane so it can fly to its destination. If you happen to be an average family of four (even two) bring along a couple of hundred dollars to pay for the fuel. What I don't understand is why they don't just raise the airfares (like they are already doing) and not subject their "loyal" customers to insults and abuse.

However, a fine gentleman named Doug Dyment has come up with a totally new way to pack your bag. It is simple, clever and a great way to beat the airlines at their own game. Visit his web-site at http://www.onebag.com/. Enough said. It will be the best few minutes you ever spent while learning the "art" of packing your bag.

Oh, by the way, have a great time wherever you're going!