Here I go nitpicking about flying again but I can’t help it. Canada’s two airlines, Air Canada and Westjet are now going to raise the price of checked bags. It wasn’t that long ago, four years this fall to be exact, when we were allowed to take along a suitcase too big to be a carry-on and it would ride in the belly of the plane at no charge. So we’ve been paying $25 for the first checked bag and $30 for a second one since the fall of 2014. Now, beginning in October, it will be $30 for the first bag and $50 for a second one. To be fair, charging for checked bags applies to the lowest economy fares. If you pay for a higher-class ticket your first bag is free, or if you are a member of the military you get up to three free checked bags. I’m not sure of the percentage of people who don’t have a lot of money and try to book the lowest possible fare when flying but I would guess its high, otherwise the airlines wouldn’t rake in the extra $50-$75 million each per year from these baggage fees. Remember when you could get a p[pillow and blanket and received a meal on flights that were more than a couple of hours? Luckily I like pretzels. Don’t be surprised if the day comes when that costs $2 plus another toonie to wash them down with water. Please just don’t install a coin machine on the bathroom doors.

That’s Coffeetalk. I’m Vic Dubois.