It's "Mad as Hell" Day

Travelers may not shout out their windows as newscaster Howard Beale urged his audience to do in "Network," but today several consumer and travel groups are urging them to be angry, very angry, about hidden airline fees, which have been skyrocketing out of control as airlines try to recoup (and increase) profits.

Passengers are being charged for checked luggage, meals, snacks, beverages, pillows, blankets, seat selection and in at least one instance, carryon bags. There seems to be no end  to the creativity airlines will muster to create new fees.

While some companies say they're struggling, we all are, aren't we? Why does the buck always stop with us? What it all amounts to is, once again, making consumers pay more for less. 

"People are fed up," says travel expert Bob Diener. "They go online and get the best deal they can find on a plane ticket, but by the time they've shelled out extra money for this fee and that fee at the airport, they discover it wasn't a deal at all. Passengers are sick of this 'bait and switch' stuff," he said. "The airlines need to listen to their customers. Complaints are soaring and most are related to hidden fees."

And so today, various travel and consumer groups have joined forces to oppose these fees and have created a new holiday: It's Mad as Hell Day. 

The coalition is collecting "signatures" on it's MadAsHellAboutHiddenFees.com website, which it will use to petition the Department of Transportation later today. A press release says that 50,000 signatures have been collected already.

The site's motto, "Are You Kidding Me?" is plastered on the homepage, along with the following:

"Airline fees are out of hand and surprise us from the moment we make reservations. There are telephone reservation fees, checked baggage fees, seat reservation fees, carry-on luggage fees, special seating fees, get-on-the-plane early fees, pillow-and-blanket fees and more fees on their way.

"The U.S. Department of Transportation is examining this growing problem. They want your views on whether airlines should make their fees clear on their own websites and make them available to all travel agents so that travelers can compare the total cost of travel.

"We are collecting names and stories to take to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. Together we can make a difference.

Add your name to the list. Tell us your story. Let the government know you're mad as hell about all of these surprise airline fees. And, of course, share this site with all your friends, family and colleagues."

Today's the last day to jump on the bandwagon. You can sign the petition here. And here's Howard's dramatic moment in the 1977 film  "Network" -- just  a little nostalgia to get you pumped: