Travel is . . .

. . . Sky high



Or rather, prices to travel by air are sky high in a time when newspapers are reporting the 20 largest U S airlines collected more the $900 million in baggage-related fees during the third quarter of the year. That is in addition to putting you in a seat!

The airlines netted an obscene $4 billion (with a "b") this year in total add-ons to the price of a ticket.


In other words, overweight baggage helped net these companies - which are enjoying a great financial time right now - a bonanza. Why is that? Is it because someone can't decide between six pair of shoes? A dozen sweaters? Has no concept of packing? Or money to burn?


None of it makes sense. Sure, I don't like shlepping my bag on board, making room and sometimes asking for help putting it into an overhead bin. Worse, I hate fellow travelers who seem to be carting around their entire worldly goods and inevitably conk me on the head with their packages as they try to stow them away. And I am not crazy about waiting for my bag to appear on a luggage carousel.

But I fly a lot.

One secret might be to pack lighter, a trick I had to learn years ago. Stick with one color scheme: black is easy and color can come in a lightweight t-shirt, a scarf or a sweater - all of which are easy to pack. Rather than requiring a major shopping experience before each trip, purchase clothes with the idea of having to pack and live with the item for a long weekend or a even a week. Consider a basic two or three pair of pants or skirts; a dark dress, the right jewelry can work for a business meeting or a theater opening; mix and match tops for the pants or skirt, and make up your mind ahead of time that clothes can be worn more than once. Travel generally is not a fashion show.

I've traveled with veterans who can do a month out of a small duffle bag and with others who need a half dozen sherpas for a three-day weekend just to maneuver suitcases large enough to hide a body.

If it doesn't bother you to pay extra for each suitcase you check, go for it.

If it does, consider flying Southwest which doesn't charge for up to two pieces of luggage, or better yet, pack light.

But $4 billion in add-ons? Wow.