US Airlines Scramble to Apologize After Soldier Baggage To-Do

Thursday, 09 June 2011 | by Pat's Picks

For a while it seemed like US airlines were competing to see how many free perks they could force customers to pay for. The tides have turned, says USA Today, after a video of Delta charging a group of US soldiers $2800 to check their additional baggage went viral. In its aftermath, airlines are jockeying to offer service members more and more perks: Delta and United will now allow troops to check four bags for free; American has changed its policy to allow five.

The group of 36 soldiers were traveling back from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Two sergeants in the group recorded the video en route between Baltimore and Atlanta. After it was picked up by a local station in Atlanta, Delta apologized, promised reimbursement and changed its policy. The other airlines followed suit. Scroll down to check it out: