POSTED: Wednesday, June 8, 2011 - 12:36pm
UPDATED: Thursday, June 9, 2011 - 10:02am
Two American soldiers have started a YouTube frenzy by posting their reactions to being charged $200 each by Delta Airlines to bring their luggage home from Afghanistan.
Staff Sgts. Fred Hilliker and Robert O’Hair filmed a video while on Flight 1625 and posted it on YouTube.
The soldiers says their military orders state that each soldier was allowed to check up to four bags free of charge. When they arrive at the airport, a Delta agent told the soldiers the policy was three checked bags per person for each flight and they would have to pay for the fourth bag.
In total, their unit was charged more than $2,800 in extra baggage fees.
“My extra bag was my weapons case,” said O’Hair. “I had my assault rifle, a grenade launcher and a 9-mm. pistol.”
The video was posted online last night and by lunch time today, it has more than 200,000 views. This may be why Delta has already reacted by changing their bag fee policy for troops. In statement attributed to an anonymous customer representative, fourth bags will be free for troops flying on Delta Airlines.
The video has been deleted by the person who posted it. If it is available elsewhere, NewChannel 9 will keep you updated.
We will keep you updated as we learn more.