American waives extra-bag fee for GIs

FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- American Airlines announced Wednesday it would waive the fee it charges for a third bag checked by active-duty members of the military.

The move came amid criticism of the idea of troops heading into harm's way being forced to shell out cash when they check their gear.

American issued a statement saying that while servicemen and women have always been reimbursed for baggage fees, they decided to drop the charge altogether.

"After recently hearing of the burden the military reimbursement process puts on soldiers traveling to war zones, the choice for us to forgo payment for a third checked bag from the Department of Defense was clear," said American Senior Vice President Tom Del Valle.

American already waives the fee for the first and second bags checked by military personnel.