Soldier Charged $100 to Fly Gear

[unhappycamper]

Soldier Charged $100 to Fly Gear
July 31, 2008
Knight Ridder/Tribune

EL PASO, Texas -- After adding all the extra equipment -- boots, foul-weather gear, uniforms and the like -- required to train before deploying to Iraq, Staff Sgt. Ashley Serrano had filled three bags.

That was one more than American Airlines was willing to let fly without an extra baggage charge of $100.

Many airlines, faced with the rising price of jet fuel and other costs, have instituted luggage fees. And now military officials are having to re-evaluate policy as soldiers, many of whom are at lower pay grades, face significant charges to haul equipment required by their jobs.

Serrano said he was confronted Friday at El Paso International Airport with a demand for $100 for his third bag. When he mentioned he was headed for Camp Bowie -- where Texas Army National Guard soldiers train before deployment -- he said they told him, without a smile, that the Army should have given him a voucher. A soldier traveling with Serrano had three extra bags and was charged $300, he said.

"I have flown Southwest, Continental, and when they saw me in uniform, they didn't even ask," Serrano said. "I flew American a couple of times before, but I never had this problem."


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/soldier-charged-100-to-fly-gear.html?col=1186032310810&wh=wh

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Ah, good ol' Republican "Support the troops" in action.

:eyes:

[donco6]

2. That's American for you.

Hate that airline.

[dembotoz]

3. trying to decide if this is sad or really really funny

everyday in everyway, i am just a little more disgusted.

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. Thank goodness we support our troops

Goodness knows what would happen if we didn't. :eyes:

[jmowreader]

5. I hope he got a receipt and kept it

I don't think he'll need one after this news story, but when he files his travel voucher after arriving at base, the government WILL reimburse him. You can list cab fare, "reasonable" gratuities, excess charges and all other "reasonable and prudent" expenses on a travel voucher and be reimbursed for them so long as you have receipts.

Sucks that he got charged, but he won't be permanently out the money.

[DCKit]

6. Pretty soon the Gubmint will be sending letters home to Mom and Dad...

asking them to fund the "field trip" to Iraq.

[Bandit]

7. When I was in the service they paid for all my travel if it was their requirement

I only paid my own air fare when I was traveling on my own. All I ever had to do was show the airlines a copy of my orders and that was that.

[Canuckistanian]

8. I wonder if Blackwater mercs have to pay for their own bags?

Somehow, I think not.