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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Collins: Memorial weekend ranting

FILE - In this March 10, 2016, file photo, passengers are reflected in glass as they line up to go through a security checkpoint under the atrium of the domestic passenger terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta. Airport security lines have become so bad that airlines themselves are urging passengers to share their frustration with the government on social media. Airlines for America, the industry's trade group, just launched a website called iHateTheWait.com, encouraging fliers to post photos of the lines on Twitter and Instagram along with the hashtag #iHateTheWait. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
FILE - In this March 10, 2016, file photo, passengers are reflected in glass as they line up to go through a security checkpoint under the atrium of the domestic passenger terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta. Airport security lines have become so bad that airlines themselves are urging passengers to share their frustration with the government on social media. Airlines for America, the industry's trade group, just launched a website called iHateTheWait.com, encouraging fliers to post photos of the lines on Twitter and Instagram along with the hashtag #iHateTheWait. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) FILE - In this March 10, 2016, file photo, passengers are reflected in glass as they line up to go through a security checkpoint under the atrium of the domestic passenger terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta. Airport security lines have become so bad that airlines themselves are urging passengers to share their frustration with the government on social media. Airlines for America, the industry's trade group, just launched a website called iHateTheWait.com, encouraging fliers to post photos of the lines on Twitter and Instagram along with the hashtag #iHateTheWait. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Summer is upon us, and we are facing important travel decisions. Such as who to blame when we get stuck in interminable airport lines.

So many options. There’s the government, but how many times can you complain about Congress in the course of a lifetime? There’s the public – air traffic up 12 percent since 2011. But really, people, don’t blame yourself.

Let’s pick a rant that’s good for you, good for me, good for the lines in security: Make the airlines stop charging fees for checked baggage.

Seems simple, doesn’t it? Plus, if you do manage to make it to your flight, these are the same people who will be announcing there’s a $3 fee if you want a snack.

The largest airlines charge $25 for the first checked bag, thus encouraging people to drag their belongings through the airport, clogging the X-ray lines and slowing the boarding process as everybody fights to cram one last rolling duffel into the overhead compartment.