Some critics call the practice "hate selling" because it causes some customers to upgrade to a more expensive ticket to avoid hassles and fees. However, aviation expert Jay Ratliff says the airlines are providing the cheap seats with add-ons because that's what customers want.
“Some people are saying, ‘That’s fine, we’ll take those lower fares and we’ll put up with whatever horrible customer service levels we get,’ ” said Ratliff.
He said the trend likely will grow, which you should take into account those additional fees when researching fares.
Another airbag death
A grim reminder to make sure you get recalls on your vehicle fixed: A teenage girl died in a crash in Texas that should not have caused serious injuries. What reportedly killed her was shrapnel from the Takata airbag in her 2002 Honda Civic.
Investigators say the 17-year-old’s family was unaware the vehicle was part of a massive airbag recall involving 24 million vehicles.
You can check for recalls on your vehicle by entering your VIN number here.
More to protect in a power outage
When severe weather approaches, many people unplug their precious electronics or make sure they are connected to a power strip or surge protector.
However, experts say there are many other items in your home that need protecting from outages and surges.
“Everything from dishwashers to refrigerators, washers and dryers, microwaves,” all now contain computer components that can be damaged in a power outage or power surge, according to Tim Kirk, a local technician with Mr. Appliance.
He recommends unplugging them in the event of an outage, or better yet, purchase a surge assist to protect them because “you are not always home when these storms come through.”
Surge protectors are appliance-specific, so you need to check the specs to make sure you are purchasing the correct device.
They range in price from $10 to $40, but post-damage repairs could cost hundreds.
“When you are looking at an appliance computer board, $300 to $400 for just the board, and that $25? That’s money well spent,” Kirk said.
Rachel Murray is a WHIO-TV consumer reporter. You can watch her reports on News Center 7, follow her on Twitter @RMurrayWHIO, and like her fan page on Facebook.
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