'Mad as hell' about airline fees?

A new website gives consumers an outlet to vent their frustration and voice their concerns about the hidden costs of flying.

If you’re a typical airline passenger with two bags, you’re paying an additional 21 percent to 153 percent of the price of your base fare for things like checked baggage and additional legroom, according to the Consumer Travel Alliance, a nonprofit consumer advocate association. The CTA presented those data in July after studying four popular flight itineraries taken by millions of travelers each year. 

Those extra fees are just the tip of the iceberg. Your costs can skyrocket even higher should the airlines wish to charge for seat reservations, pillows and blankets, drinks, unaccompanied minors, lounge access, pets, priority boarding, upgrades or additional loyalty-program miles.

It’s no wonder consumers are angry about paying extra for items that once came standard on most flights. And what’s worse, many aren’t even aware of the extra charges being tacked on to their travel until they are at the airport. As a result, the CTA, Business Travel Coalition and American Society of Travel Agents have announced “Mad as Hell Day,” to debut Sept. 23, which also happens to be the deadline for travelers to weigh in on the Transportation Department's Notice of Proposed Rule Making regarding passenger protections and hidden airline fees.

How do you tell anyone you’re mad as hell? The coalition has launched a new website, http://madashellabouthiddenfees.com, which gives travelers a chance to tell their own hidden-fee stories, post YouTube videos and sign a petition to the department urging it to require airlines to disclose those fees in advance.

Will you participate in “Mad as Hell Day”? Do you think the airlines are being transparent about ancillary fees? Do you have a story to tell about hidden airline fees? Share your thoughts with other travelers in the comments section.