Summertime, and it's gonna get ugly!

My favorite online columnist, Scott McCartney, wrote an article for the Wall Street Journal this week about airlines charging for checked bags. The plan for some of the airlines is to charge $30 round-trip for the first checked bag, and an additional $50 for the second one.

The airlines, McCartney says, "are also getting ready to strictly enforce limits on carry-on baggage -- which are commonly flouted -- in hopes of minimizing delays and disruption as flights board. Battles with customers likely will ensue, and fliers will be peppered with baggage-rule announcements, adding more aggravation to the already trying travel experience."

Let's review just who will be strictly enforcing, having battles, and peppering fliers with baggage rule announcements: me.

Okay, not just me...but flight attendants in general. It is already tough getting enough space in the overhead bins. I cannot imagine what the summer travel season will bring.

With these new fees in place, I think the airlines should have a big and strong bouncer-type guy standing outside the airplane on the jetbridge, being the baggage enforcer. Someone who would be effective. Someone every passenger would listen to, no questions asked. Someone who could encourage (wink, wink) passengers to check their bags and pay the fee and not bring too much onboard. Is there anyone that could make all that happen? Just who could accomplish all that?

I know just the guy: