All this talk of travelin lite brings up an interesting point. Those of us here in the U.S. will have to do so, or pay the fiddler. United, U.S. Airways, Continental, and the others will soon follow suit – are raising rates, and putting new charges on almost everything. We are already paying extra ($15 to $25) to choose our preferred seats,even in coach. They have been charging $5 for a watered-down beer or ery small bottle of wine, as well as $2 for a half can of pringles. NWA, U.S. Air, Delta, United & some others have just recently announced that they will be charging for your VERY FIRST checked bag. Yes, they will be getting $15 for a checked bag. This means they will also be more diligent about measuring our carry-on baggage, so they can get the cash for checking it, should it be a tad too for the overhead storage. It’s getting ridiculous.

Personally, I will not change the way I do things. I have always preferred to carry a single, medium-sized bag (1) on with me, under 50 lbs. If I go to Europe for a week or even 9 days, I simply do a wash in the middle, then wear the same 3 or 4 shirts & pants over again. You have to purchase all the toothpastes, gels, deodorant, etc. when you get there (small sizes) anyway, so that will not bother me either. Just remember, checking 2 or 3 large bags will cost you big time from this point forward.

Also, US Airways & some others are going to start charging $2 for sodas..