American Airlines started charging fees to most coach customers $15 to check a first bag. United Airlines and US Airways also followed, and will plan to charge of $15 a bag, too. US Airways’ enforced fee will be effective on July 9, 2008, while United Airlines’ will be on August 18, 2008. Delta Airlines will not charge for the first bag checked, but will require passengers to pay $25 for a second bag and $80 each for three to five checked bags. As of July 1, Southwest Airlines will be the only US carrier to allow two checked bags for free. The $25 fee for checking a second bag was already implemented by most US carriers and passengers are paying more for hefty bags as well.

The added surcharges are part of a menu of new fees aimed at helping the struggling airline industry cope with record fuel prices. For many, the added charges are leaving a bad taste.

Airlines stressed out that the increased fees are necessary to compensate for skyrocketing fuel prices. The said fee will definitely discourage people from traveling especially those who flies three or four times yearly.

SANTIAGO, Chile – A single-engine plane went missing for four days in Southern Chile was found Wednesday with nine survivors among the 10 people aboard.

Air Force Commander Gaston Elshols said the only person aboard that died the crash was the pilot, Nelson Bahamondes, 65.

Deputy Interior Minister Felipe Harboe said Bahamodes maneuvered the plane to prevent the impact of the crash in the heavily forested area. The cause of the accident is still unknown. He said four survivors