when you are selecting an airline for your travels this summer. This was posted on another forum, but I felt it was worth sharing.

Delta airlines is apparently charging our soldiers for their 'extra bags' on their return flight from Afghanistan even though 4 bags were authorized on travel orders. These bags turned out (for at least one soldier in this video) to be his weapons case. Here is a link to the you tube video created apparently yesterday morning. Just wanted to share:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_borufk9RTc&feature=player_embedded 

From Delta Airlines website concerning baggage policies:U.S. Military personnel on active duty with travel orders may check in 3 bags in Economy Class and up to 4 checked bags in First/Business on Delta aircraft or Delta Connection® carriers, at no additional charge. Each bag has a maximum weight of 70 lbs (32 kg) and size of 80 linear inches (203 cm).
These guys are not flying first class or business class for that matter so according to Delta's policy for active duty military WITH orders they are only allowed 3 bags instead of the normal two. I understand their frustration for paying an unexpected fee however, they will be reimbursed for that fee when the submit their travel voucher. I am pretty disappointed in the first SSG putting information about redeploying troops' travel dates times and locations on youtube for the world to see. Not a very responsible thing for an NCO to do. 

If that fellow is wise, he'd remove that video immediately. I'm fairly certain he doesn't have authorization to make a statement like this (and 11B is spot-on about the travel dates, times and locations being on a public forum for the world to see). And yes, he will get his money back, just like when he does a PCS move and gets to file a claim. 

They get to file a travel voucher for coming home from deployment? Thats thefirst Ive heard of that. 

do you really need 4 bags of stuff on the plane home? my husband didn't even have 2 full bags and his carryon because he put most of his stuff in the conex. in my opinion too many people are just too impatient to wait a month or so for their stuff to get here... those soldiers will get reimbursed for the extra baggage but honestly do they really NEED everything in those 4 bags? and I'm not talking about weapons... I'm saying what was in the other 3 bags that he just "had to have with him"? 

overit yes they file a travel voucher for the deployment...the same one they get their $3.50 daily "per diem" on...as long as they have a receipt for the baggage fee, they will be reimbursed for it 

Here was my question... if this isn't a chartered flight by the military, is it common to carry your weapons with you? We have not experienced that before. 

but my question is... what if they didn't have that $200 available to them?

We might do things a little a$$ backward in this house, but it works. When deployed, hubby has his own account in which I put money each payday. His pay goes into our joint checking account which I manage. Generally, I would put about $100 into that account for him to travel home on. If this were him, we would have been screwed.

I got the idea that the bags were of required gear? I don't suppose I thought about the fact they might be full of random crap - 

Me thinks he went about it the wrong way. 

@Daisy- Had that been the case I would think someone in his group would have lent him the money. I know my husband would have. It's all a matter of organization and priorities. You carry what you NEED to make the trip home and send the rest in the containers the unit sends back. For both of our deployments my husband comes home with two rucks and his assault pack. Everything else comes later. I don't deploy and I still carry a little extra 'in case' cash. You never know when an airline policy will change and it's better to be safe than sorry. 

I'm confused by all of this... They are returning from a deployment on a public flight? Does this happen often? My husband has been deployed three times and always comes back on a charter flight. Is it because its a small group? Anyone have experience with this? 

many guys bring video game systems on deployments now and I've seen them pack them in ruck sacks to bring to and from overseas... you'd be surprised what random stuff the guys will carry on the plane versus send in the conex. most units use a standard packing list for deployments which include 3 bags. if you pack it right you can fit it into 2 full duffle bags or the new "2 man" duffle and a ruck sack. hubby has packed that way the last 3 deployments... not sure what else they had with them but if some guys can fit all their required gear in 2 bags then 4 just seems excessive...also not sure what was in his weapons case but my hubby's unit just hand carried their rifles on the plane so that didn't go against baggage at all... 

even if it's a chartered flight they still have to follow the airline's rules regarding baggage...how else would they make sure the plane's weight limit isn't exceeded? 

many guys bring video game systems on deployments now and I've seen them pack them in ruck sacks to bring to and from overseas...

I see... mine is very budgeted over there (he has no money sense what-so-ever) so he generally just transports what is required for his existence. LOL. Maybe that is why I am confused. I have never really paid much mind to what he packs (at home) and have no idea what he brings back as he usually just puts it in the garage because I loose my mind when there is military crap all over the house. LOL!!!

I do know they do have to 'weigh-in' on chartered flights - when he deployed with the guard part of the process of them leaving was an 'official' weigh of the soldier and his carry-on. 

how else would they make sure the plane's weight limit isn't exceeded?

I think they could probably weigh the bags. I understand there's a weight limit for the planes.

Also, this isn't a chartered flight. It's a commercial flight that runs daily. I just think they were irresponsible for putting this out there like that. Just my opinion. 

My husband shipped his PS3, televisions, etc, back before he returned from his last deployment. He came back with a duffel and a ruck.

It all depends on the circumstances, but there is a lot of prepwork done before a redeployment; soldiers are given ample time to avoid having to bring back a whole passel of items when they return. Sounds like somebody just may not have prepared very well... 

Military Travel: Baggage Policies & Our Thoughts

Everyone should read this... but understand the difference between 1st class, business class and coach seats!! I worked in the travel business for many years and it gets very confusing to some. 

I saw this also and I agree w/ 11BPrincess about them being reimbursed and TeeC about deleting the video! I feel people are overreacting quite a bit, they will be reimbursed AND It wasn't to wise of them to post a video on YouTube for the world to see (including ppl that he wouldn't want to see it...) 

last deployment hubby shipped a footlocker back but it is expensive so this time we just sent all the non essential stuff in the conex...he just had to wait to get his tv, ps2 and xbox 360 back. 

I just read that they had four bags authorized on their orders, and that they were carrying their rifles, grenade launcher, and such. That is what they were charged for. They just posted an article on MSN saying Delta admitted fault, and are changing the policy. 

Plus, we know how long it can take for the military to reimburse you sometimes. 

Delta did change its policy- yesterday. The kid in the video said he checked his weapons and thats what they charged him for, it's great the Delta changed it policy because of this one incident. But now anyone who whines on youtube will expect the same thing. I totally support the troops but these guys went about this the wrong way and in the end they look like kids throwing a hissy fit and they damaged a company's reputation and I don't think they deserve the attention they are getting. Just my opinion but earning the rank of SSg means you should have a certain level of maturity which these guys obviously do not. 

I think your being way to harsh we all know that airlines over charge people all the time lose bags and leave you stranded due to over booking. Its about time they step up and make things better,flying should not be so dang difficult 

delta was not at fault here at all. they were following their standard policy for military which has been in place for years. never has my husband expected any company to bend rules for him just because he's military. I would be embarrassed if he did and he would be embarrassed if I pulled the"but I'm a military wife" card just to get my way. it's sad the sense of entitlement some people get... no one owes you anything in this world regardless of your job or rank... 

That policy was crap, I am pretty sure when I flew US Airways they gave us 4 pieces of baggage free (One was over 50 lbs). We were just going on vacation. They were awesome. I wouldn't of cared if we had to pay.

I don't think that Soldiers returning home from Afganistan should have to pay for things they need to fight for this country. Yea, they would get reimbursed by the military, but how long would that take?

Putting the video on YouTube may not of been the best action, but sometimes that is how you get your point across. It is no worse then taking it to a news station. If they wrote a nice letter complaining it probably would have been ignored. Maybe a little more tact, and less information about locations and such while recording would be better though.