South
Southwest Airlines customers sound off over end to free checked bags for passengers
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Travelers who claim to be loyal customers of Southwest are sounding off after the airline announced changes Tuesday to its popular passenger perk.
The Texas-based carrier revealed several changes are being made in an effort to drive revenue growth and return to profitability shareholders expect, FOX Business reported.
These changes will include an adjustment to its checked bag policy, which allows all passengers to check two bags for free. Southwest has not yet announced how much travelers will be charged, though the fee for a third checked bag is listed at $150 on southwest.com.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}DARING AIRPORT TREND HAS TRAVELERS ARRIVING AT GATE 15 MINUTES BEFORE TAKEOFF
The move, announced Tuesday, is triggering strong reactions from travelers on social media, with some even threatening to stop flying with Southwest if they can no longer receive free checked bags.
“Call it what you will — boycott, mass exodus, defecting. Can we do that in a massive wave right now?” one person wrote in a Southwest Reddit thread.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Southwest Airlines has announced it will no longer offer two free checked bags to all customers, and airline passengers are venting their frustration. (iStock)
“Nail in the coffin,” another person wrote.
“This was literally the last reason I still flew Southwest. Now it’s just Spirit with different colors,” another user commented in a different thread.
“I used to favor [Southwest] for the lack of baggage fees. They definitely will not be my first choice if their prices stay the same,” a Reddit user wrote.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fox News Digital reached out to Southwest for comment.
Starting May 28, only Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members and customers traveling on Business Select fares will get two free checked bags. Rapid Rewards credit card members will receive their first checked bag for free. Any other customers who do not fall into those two categories will be charged for both checked bags, according to Southwest’s press release.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“It makes sense to be angry at Southwest because they have literally announced an intention to reverse their brand promise, that they have promoted as ‘transfarency’ regarding lack of fees or charges for checked baggage,” Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert and author of the blog “View From the Wing,” told Fox News Digital.
Southwest Airlines is ending its customer-friendly policy in an effort “to drive revenue growth and return to a level of profitability that shareholders expect,” FOX Business reported. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“They have dealt [with] a decades-long relationship with customers based on a simple and fair value proposition that they are changing, and loyal customers do feel betrayed.
“For five decades, Southwest has been a pioneer and a maverick, and they’ve announced that legacy has ended.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}‘GATE LICE’ RUN-INS HAVE FLYERS DEMANDING MORE AIRLINES ‘CRACK DOWN’ ON PESKY TRAVEL TREND
Southwest Airlines travelers are sharing their reactions to the end of free checked bags. (iStock)
Other social media users said they will consider flying with other airlines, even though they were once loyal Southwest customers, but they do not think a boycott is the answer.
“I won’t boycott. I’ve flown SW a lot — but simply because I had to get from point A to point B — and SW could often provide that to me at the cheapest rate and/or the most convenient times and routes. If SW can still provide that on any particular trip, then fine. But, now other airlines will be considered more often,” another Reddit user commented.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“Sure this sucks, but like everyone has already pointed out, they’re like every other airline now, so no use in boycotting for another just like it. It’s going to come down to cheapest fair, and most convenient or direct route for me. Based on my home airport, it’s likely going to still be Southwest,” a social media user added.
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Leff said Southwest once had customer-friendly policies like flexible rebooking or its free checked bags, which helped differentiate it from the other major airlines, but these recent changes appear to have damaged the relationship between the airline and many of its customers.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Gary Leff, a travel expert, says Southwest’s customer-friendly baggage policy was the carrier’s competitive difference in the industry. (iStock)
“Now they’re introducing basic economy fares that will not come with seat assignments prior to check-in, even as they charge fees for such assignments to customers buying more expensive tickets. They’ve reduced points-earning on the cheapest tickets. They’re introducing checked bag fees. And they’re upending their boarding process,” Leff said.
“They will be adding extra legroom seating at the expense of legroom in standard seats,” he added.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Leff said, compared to other airlines, Southwest lacks some amenities, like seat-back entertainment screens, fast Wi-Fi and seat options with extra legroom, all of which may discourage travelers from purchasing a ticket with the carrier.
Loyal Southwest Airlines customers are sharing their concerns after the airline decided to end its customer-friendly baggage policy. (iStock)
“At the same time that Southwest minimizes the differentiation between their product and the rest of the industry, they will be behind other airlines as they chase that same model,” Leff said.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}“In other words, Southwest Airlines is giving up its competitive differentiation while positioning itself at the bottom of the industry for the model they’re chasing.”
FOX Business’ Daniella Genovese contributed to this report.
The Tennessee Volunteers were well represented when it came to the NFL Draft. They had multiple selections during the draft, and multiple players signed with a team following the draft, but one player had to compete for a roster spot during a mini camp, as he was invited to mini camp to make a name for himself.
That player is former Tennessee Vols running back Star Thomas, who left for the NFL after just one season with the Vols due to his loss of eligibility. Thomas was a split backup for the Vols, and he finished with 564 yards, as he was the No. 2 and No. 3 at different points throughout the season. The only running back he fell behind entirely was DeSean Bishop, who led the pack between Thomas, Peyton Lewis (who transferred to Virginia), and himself.
Tennessee Football RB Star Thomas Receives His NFL Fate After Tennessee Titans Camp
Thomas was invited to stay inside the state of Tennessee and compete with the Tennessee Titans in their mini camp for a chance to stay on the roster and be signed, but unfortunately enough for him, he didn’t receive a contract and will not sign with the Titans, as they are now moving on from him. While this can be viewed as shocking that he isn’t with an NFL team, it also makes sense as to why the Titans will not have him on the roster.
The Titans are already loaded at the RB position, as they have built a deep and reliable running back group. They will be starting with Tony Pollard in the lineup, but he will be backed up by Rookie Nick Singleton, Tyjae Spears, Michael Carter, Julius Chestnut, and Kalel Mullings. If they were to add a guy like Thomas, he would never find his way onto the field, and it would be holding the Titans back from adding a player to a position of need.
Thomas’s future in the NFL remains uncertain, as no teams have contacted him for a second chance, which leaves Thomas with very few options. He could be looking to find a new home elsewhere, or could be trying to get himself into a different league and be a star there. If the talented prospect is given a chance for a team that needs a running back, then things could be different, but it will depend on what the roster looks like and what type of player a team is looking to bring in.
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Texas
Texas man accused of killing pregnant wife allegedly cuts off ankle monitor and flees to Italy
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A Texas man facing charges for allegedly killing his pregnant wife has reportedly cut off his ankle monitor and fled abroad.
Lee Mongerson Gilley, 39, is accused of murdering his wife, Christa Bauer Gilley, and the couple’s unborn child in Houston in 2024, according to KPRC.
Gilley was set to appear in court Tuesday, but instead flew from Texas to Canada, and finally Italy, where he told authorities he was seeking asylum after being “wrongfully prosecuted” and is fearful of receiving the death penalty, his attorney told the outlet.
“I’m concerned that the prosecution will try to say that it’s evidence of consciousness of guilt that he’s running from it, but I think he’s just scared,” defense attorney Dick DeGuerin reportedly said.
NAVY RESERVIST ON ACTIVE DUTY ACCUSED OF MURDERING WIFE BELIEVED TO HAVE FLED TO HONG KONG
Lee Mongerson Gilley, 39, is accused of murdering his wife, Christa Bauer Gilley, and their unborn child in Houston in 2024, according to KPRC. (Christa Bauer Gilley/Facebook)
Gilley, whose murder trial was set to begin later this month, is reportedly in the custody of Italian authorities. His ankle monitor alerted authorities it had been tampered with on Friday, according to the outlet.
DeGuerin told the outlet that before Gilley can be returned to Texas, the state must certify to Italy that he is not eligible for the death penalty — which the prosecution is not seeking in his case.
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Gilley is accused of killing his wife, Christa, and their unborn baby by “applying pressure to [her] neck and upper back” on Oct. 7, 2024, according to charging documents obtained by People.
HUSBAND CHARGED IN PREGNANT PHYSICAL THERAPIST WIFE’S MURDER AFTER GIVING POLICE A DIFFERENT STORY
Defense attorney Ed McClees and his client, Lee Mongerson Gilley, appear in the 497th District Court at the Harris County Justice Center in Houston on Oct. 17, 2024. Gilley is charged with capital murder in the death of his wife, Christa Gilley. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Prosecutors reportedly allege Gilley initially claimed Christa, who was nine months pregnant, had overdosed and that he had tried to save her with CPR, but a medical examiner later pointed to evidence of strangulation and ruled her death a homicide.
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After he was arrested days later, Gilley allegedly admitted his wife was not a drug user or suicidal, and that the couple had been arguing before her death, KPRC reported.
In 2025, while out on bond, prosecutors reportedly allege Gilley and an unnamed woman, whom he had an affair with in 2023, devised a scheme to flee to Mexico and other countries, according to the outlet.
MISSING FATHER OF 3 MAY HAVE FAKED HIS OWN DEATH AND FLED TO ‘SOMEPLACE IN EUROPE’: OFFICIALS
Prosecutors allege Lee Mongerson Gilley killed his wife, Christa Bauer Gilley, who was nine months pregnant, in Houston in 2024. (Christa Bauer Gilley/Facebook)
“The Defendant also inquired as to whether she knew of a Mexican identity he could acquire to facilitate his departure from the country,” the document said.
Gilley also allegedly “provided a detailed plan” to remove his GPS monitor and perform a sham marriage to obtain a new identity, prosecutors reportedly said.
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Authorities are working to extradite Gilley back to the country, according to KPRC.
Gilley’s defense attorney and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Berkley, CA — Virginia Tech won their third consecutive ACC series and have won 9 of their last 12 matchups on the diamond. Despite dropping game three in 9-4 fashion, the Hokies needed this series win and got it, putting themselves firmly on the bubble this week.
There’s plenty of takeaways from the series, so here’s my top three.
No. 1: The Hokies are peaking at the right time
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a column on what the Hokies would need to do to put themselves in position on the bubble, and they have followed that blueprint to a tee.
I stated that the Hokies would need a 15-4 run going down the stretch, and they’re within striking distance, needing to go 6-1 from here on out with four games against non-conference opponents.
They couldn’t afford another series loss in conference, and they haven’t taken one.
With that run, the Hokies — who sat outside of the top 45 — have moved themselves up to 36th in RPI — a firm bubble position — with a three big ACC games remaining and four must-win non-conference games.
No. 2: Brett Renfrow has found it
What is ‘it’ exactly? Well, he’s the only one that knows.
Over Brett Renfrow’s first two starts in the month of April against Miami and Boston College, he surrendered 12 runs in 11 innings, striking out 10 batters and hurling over 200 pitches in the short time span.
Since then, he’s arguably been the best pitcher in the conference. In his recent three starts, Renfrow has allowed the following statline:
21.0 IP
3 ER
10 H
6 BB
27 K
Those numbers bring an ERA of 1.29 and a K/9 of 11.57.
For those of you who are familiar with the K%-BB% stat, Renfrow’s is sitting at 25.9%. For context, Tarik Skubal — who won the AL Cy Young last year — had a rate of 27.8%.
Brett Renfrow getting back to those strong, consistent starts that we’ve seen in the past is something that Virginia Tech desperately needed from it’s ace, and it will be crucial for the Hokies down the stretch.
No. 3: The Bullpen has been much more consistent
Earlier this season, the Virginia Tech bullpen had a huge issue with blowing leads and losing games.
Against Cal, the Virginia Tech bullpen surrendered just a pair of runs in 10 innings of work.
The highlight of the bullpen as of late has been Chase Swift, who hasn’t given up a run since March 3rd against Marshall. He’s made nine appearances in that time and has posted the following stat-line:
13.1 IP
0 ER
4 H
6 BB
18 K
Much like with Renfrow, consistency from the Virginia Tech bullpen is going to be key down the stretch, and the Hokies are headed in the right direction.
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