Fee free?

Yesterday we asked our facebook fans and twitter followers which part of the flying process (outside of the fare itself) would they like to see fee-free.  We received some very constructive feedback from everyone, of the 15 responses received, half of the respondents were frustrated with baggage fees and the other half were an assortment of suggestions related to change fees, parking rates, and the return of free meals and drinks.

Many of the respondents offered tips on how to avoid fees and we'd like to share a few of those with you:

• Know your airline's baggage weight limits and size restrictions.  These vary per airline, so for the airlines serving MDT we've compiled their baggage policies into one convenient quick links location for you.
• If you can travel with just your carry on, do so.
• Pack your own food or snacks in your carry on to avoid having to purchase snack packs or meals while in-flight.  Be sure to review the TSA's policies on what you can/cannot pack in your carry on!
• Purchase a beverage in the terminal once you've cleared the security checkpoint.
• As much as is within your control be certain that your scheduled travel dates actually work for you.  Not all extenuating circumstances can be planned for or know about in advance, but if you know your schedule is "iffy" wait until you have as many of the details worked out as possible before you book your trip.
• If you can buy (book) your airfare on a Tuesday as opposed to over the weekend, you're more likely to save money on the cost of the airfare.  Read this recent article from The Economist magazine for more insight on the best times to purchase a plane ticket.

In summation, our fans and followers find that the more prepared you are for your flight in advance (knowing your food, packing, and air travel needs ahead of time), the better. 

Do you have any travel tips and cost saving measures to add?  Do you think there's a better model for airline fee structures?