In response to “More travelers paying US Airways baggage fee” (Aug. 29):

Airlines should raise their luggage fees, not their fares

If you are flying US Airways, a lot of people are paying baggage fees. This is not all bad.

I can't agree that fares should be raised. This will make people think before they pack.

Travelers tend to over pack, many with three or four suitcases. I would prefer these individuals to pay for their own luggage rather than to pass it on to all in the form of higher fares.

But paying for the first piece of luggage is a bit of a stretch. Folks do have a need for one piece of luggage. There should also be a limit on carry-ons. This is the airlines' problem because they weren't following their own rules as to limit size and number.

Phyllis Retcho

Hickory

Airlines should raise their fares, not their luggage fees

OK, let me get this straight: On their trip to Denver, the Smiths mailed a box – $45 one-way – and checked two bags – $30 one-way. Double this for the return trip, and they've spent $150 on luggage fees, plus the gas and time to mail the additional box.

If they just checked the two bags each, it would cost them $80 round-trip. Where is the cost savings here?

I don't like the baggage fees and wish the airlines would just raise ticket prices, check my luggage, and give me a free Coke. Before you try to avoid the fees, do the math!

Ann Gilbert

Huntersville

In response to “Oil prices keep tumbling” (Sept. 3):

Where's the drop in gas prices?

We saw a hike in oil prices followed immediately by a rise at the pumps in some areas.

Oil has tumbled by over $12 a barrel since, but has the price dropped at the pumps along Wilkinson Boulevard? At 5:30 Thursday morning they had not. Someone somewhere is making a good profit in Charlotte this week!

Gavin Dyer

Matthews

In response to “Anger at United Way persists” (Aug. 30):

Executives get big pay while employees get shafted

The United Way debacle brings insight into America's bigger question. We should focus attention on publicly traded companies' executive compensation committees – “clubs” which have for years grossly overpaid top executives.

Why should anyone sit still while employees get no raises or less-than-inflationary-based raises every year, while top executives get exaggerated pay and retirement compensation?

Get mad, America.

Randy Pellisero

Charlotte

CEOs bleeding organizations dry

Airlines, banks, United Way and other corporations are being bled dry by excessive raking off the top by the so-called superstar CEOs.

People are just now beginning to realize that these organizations function in spite of their CEOs rather than because of them.

L.C. Coonse

Granite Falls