US Airways raises the price of booze and now charges for the mixers too!

My new quart-sized bag...

Oh, the absolute horror! I mean, it's like the bad news you know is coming your way. But when it actually arrives it still stings a little bit? You know what I mean? That's how I felt when US Airways announced their "Changing the way we do business" fees today - which basically means "open up your wallet and dump it all out."

While the airline raised or introduced fees to book mileage tickets, talk to a human and to check even one bag (BTW, United Airlines matched that last one too - and that makes three airlines), what rocked me to the core was their increase on the price of booze. And, their increase on the price of the non-booze mixers:

Beginning in August, we’ll charge $2 for all non-alcoholic beverages (including sodas, juices, bottled water and coffee) and $7 for alcoholic beverages (currently available for $5).

That's a whopping 40% increase in the price of booze! And, if you'll note, AA only raised the price of booze to $6.00. I just know this means AA's booze will also be at $7.00 by the time the week is out. Dammit.

US Airways' announcement was also very unclear. What if I want a rum and coke? Or a vodka and soda? Will they charge me both fees? Will I be paying $9.00 for a crappy airplane drink that used to run me $5.00? If so, that's a crime against humanity! I'd say I'll never fly US Airways again (and I avoid them anyway as their coffee tastes like feet - seriously, it really does), but that's not the point here. The point is, just like the first checked bag fee, it's going to spread...

The question I now ask myself is how many minis can I pack into my quart-sized zip-lock bag? I know what's important and screw things like toothpaste and shampoo. I suspect I can get my mixers in the airport...

Also, could I make a bazillion dollars by starting a business that sells minis from a cart inside the terminal? I could sell them to angry and weary travelers for $5/each before they board and make a killing...

...problem is I'd probably drink my inventory before the night was out.

Oh, the sadness.

Changing the way we do business [US Airways Official Site]
US Airways adds more fees [USA Today]
US airlines "hidden fees" chart [Fare Compare]
The Travel Pirates airplane booze coverage


[Photo via Flickr]