UPDATE: A YouTube page is now saying the video of the two soldiers discussing the situation, which seems to be the first report of the story, has been removed by the user.
There's nothing that says "Thank you for your service" like an additional baggage-fee from Delta Airlines. According to Stars and Stripes, Delta reportedly surprised a group of U.S. soldiers returning from Afghanistan by charging each one for their fourth piece of checked baggage, although the soldiers thought their military orders permitted them up to four bags.
According to the article, "Active military personnel flying in coach on travel orders are only allowed to check three bags free of charge, Delta said on its website. Active military traveling in first or business class may check up to four bags for free."
By the time the soldiers' unit had paid out of pocket for the bags, the tab was over $2800. That was for 34 people.
But Delta was no match for the resourcefulness of the U.S. military. Two of the soldiers put up a video on YouTube explaining the situation. One soldier mentioned that his fourth bag was for his weapons -- "the tools that I used to protect myself and Afghan citizens while I was deployed in the country."
"So you're telling me that you paid $200 for your fourth bag that was actually your weapons?" another solider asked.
"That is correct."
As one soldier on the video puts it, "Good business model, Delta."
Delta publically apologized, according to Stars and Stripes, and is looking into the situation. The airline also announced it is changing its policy to allow 5 bags for soldiers with certain orders, etc. But, as Townhall News Editor Katie Pavlich said, our military should be able to fly with whatever they want, free of charge.
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