To: D08-DG-District-AllStaffPersonnel

Subject: AIRLINE CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE AND AIRLINE FUEL SURCHARGE

For everyone's info. It was only a matter of time. r/

YNC Michael B. Cahill

District Eight (SPO/Admin)

New Orleans, LA

SUBJ: AIRLINE CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE AND AIRLINE FUEL SURCHARGE 1. NUMEROUS COMMERCIAL AIRLINES ARE ASSESSING A FEE FOR CHECKED BAGGAGE. SOME AIRLINES MAY EXEMPT GOVERNMENT TRAVELERS FROM PAYING THE FEE, HOWEVER, THEY MAY REQUIRE THE TRAVELER TO PRESENT A GOVERNMENT ID AND/OR COPY OF OFFICIAL TRAVEL ORDERS AT TIME OF CHECK IN. COAST GUARD TRAVELERS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO PRESENT A MILITARY OR GOVERNMENT ID AND COPY OF OFFICIAL TRAVEL ORDERS AT THE TIME BAGS ARE CHECKED IN.

2. REGULATIONS CLASSIFY ANY BAGGAGE THAT IS NOT TRANSPORTED FREE BY THE CARRIER AS PART OF THE TRANSPORTATION TICKET COST AS EXCESS BAGGAGE. THEREFORE TRAVEL ORDERS MUST SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZE EXCESS BAGGAGE IN ORDER TO BE AUTHORIZED REIMBURSEMENT FOR A CHECKED BAGGAGE FEE.

3. CHECKED BAGGAGE FEES CANNOT BE CHARGED TO THE COAST GUARD CENTRALLY BILLED ACCOUNT (CBA), AKA CHARGED TO ORDER, TONO, OR GTA.

TRAVELERS WHO HAVE THEIR AIRLINE TICKET CHARGED TO A COAST GUARD CBA MUST BE PREPARED TO PAY ANY ASSESSED BAGGAGE FEE AT THE TIME THE BAGS ARE CHECKED IN WITH THE AIRLINE. CHECKED BAGGAGE FEES CAN BE CHARGED TO THE TRAVELERS INDIVIDUALLY BILLED GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CHARGE CARD.

4. DUE TO THE VOLATILITY IN FUEL COSTS MANY AIRLINES ARE ASSESSING A FUEL SURCHARGE TO GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AIRFARES. THE SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED AT THE TIME THE TICKET IS PURCHASED AND IS IN ADDITION TO THE BASE AIRFARE PRICE. THE AMOUNT OF THE FUEL SURCHARGE COULD SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE THE OVERALL COST OF A TICKET. THE SURCHARGE APPEARS ON A TRANSPORTATION ITINERARY INVOICE AS A TAX AND SHALL BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE OVERALL TRANSPORTATION COST FOR REIMBURSEMENT PURPOSES.

5. FOR QUESTIONS CONTACT MR. SCOTT ARNDT AT E-MAIL SCOTT.R.ARNDT (AT)USCG.MIL OR MR. LES WEISBECK AT E-MAIL LES.R.WEISBECK(AT) USCG.MIL.

6. RADM JODY A. BRECKENRIDGE, ASSISTANT COMMANDANT FOR HUMAN RESOURCES, SENDS.

7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.