Baggage Fees Sent Packing Thanks to YouTube Exposure

This week Delta took some bad press thanks to YouTube and then decided to refund over $2800 in baggage fees they charged to US troops returning home through BWI in Baltimore, MD. The reason? A YouTube video made on the spot led to “national furor” over Delta charging them $200 on checking their fourth bag.

Normally I’d be thinking if you’ve got four bags then evidently one of them must be stuffed with dollar bills. In this case these servicemen and women were returning from Afghanistan with their gear. According to the video, they have an agreement with Delta to not charge for their gear which is what’s in that fourth bag.

Using YouTube seems to be an effective means for dealing airline shenanigans, just ask Dave Carroll who made a full length song entitled “United Breaks Guitars” which documents the saga of when United Airlines mishandled his checked guitar and broke it. The story wouldn’t be interesting if they had simply done the right thing immediately and replaced it. Instead Dave’s video on YouTube now has nearly 10.5 Million hits and three follow-up tracks.

So the next time you’re flying if things don’t work out as planned with your air carrier, use that downtime at the airport to create a YouTube video. It could be your best advocate in getting your concerns addressed.

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