and boy are my arms tired...

first of all, i want to say that i think this is total crap:

American Airlines to Charge for Checked Baggage
Starting June 15 most American passengers must pay $15 for checking a single bag. That comes on top of the airline's decision two weeks ago to charge $25 for a second bag.

but obviously it's indicative of something bigger, as noted by richard heinberg

Saying Goodbye to Air Travel
The airline industry has no future. The same is true for airfreight. No air carrier has a viable plan to make a profit with oil at current prices—much less in years to come as the petroleum available to world markets dwindles rapidly.