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.
FLIGHT PASSENGER SHARES ‘INFURIATING’ MOMENT WHEN MAN INTRUDES ON HER LEG SPACE: ‘PLEASE DON’T DO THIS’
{{#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.
Oklahoma
How to watch LA Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder: TV, live stream info for tonight’s NBA playoff game
Coverage of the 2026 NBA playoffs continues tonight on NBC and Peacock with a star-studded doubleheader. The action tips off at 7:00 PM ET, when Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers take on Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons. Then, at 8:30 PM ET, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers go head-to-head with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Peacock. Live coverage begins at 6:00 PM with NBA Showtime. See below for additional information on how to watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs on NBC and Peacock.
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LA Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Game Preview:
The No. 4 Lakers defeated the No. 5 Rockets in six games to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals. Los Angeles opened the series with a 3-0 lead, dropped Games 4 and 5, then bounced back with a 98-78 road win in Game 6. The win marked JJ Redick’s first playoff series victory since he took over as head coach ahead of last season.
Meanwhile, the top-seeded Thunder defeated the No. 8 Phoenix Suns 4-0, completing a First Round sweep for the third straight season. The Thunder look to become the first team to win consecutive NBA titles since the Golden State Warriors (2016-2017, 2017-18).
The Lakers and Thunder will both be without key players tonight. Luka Doncic has missed the last 11 games due to a grade 2 hamstring strain sustained on April 2 against Oklahoma City, while Jalen Williams missed the last two games for the Thunder with a grade 1 hamstring strain. Both players are considered week-to-week.
NBA: Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks
2026 NBA Playoffs: Bracket, schedule, scores, matchups for conference semifinals, including 76ers vs. Knicks
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All the games — times, dates, where to watch — in one easy-to-check-out location.
How to watch LA Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder:
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When: Tonight, Tuesday, May 5
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Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder series preview, predictions – Do LeBron, Lakers have a chance?
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Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 1 NBA Playoffs – predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for May 5
How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:
NBC Sports will present up to 23 games in the First Round and 11 games in the Conference Semifinals across either NBC and Peacock, or Peacock and NBCSN. Playoff programming concludes with exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock
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Which playoff rounds will be available on Peacock?
Peacock’s NBA Playoffs coverage spans multiple rounds, including Round 1, the Conference Semifinals, and the Western Conference Finals, with coverage evolving as the postseason progresses.
Will Peacock show both Eastern and Western Conference playoff games?
Yes. During earlier rounds such as Round 1 and the Conference Semifinals, Peacock will carry a mix of Eastern and Western Conference playoff games.
Brunson powers Knicks past 76ers in Game 1
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PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) — A deputy with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office was arrested by the Easley Police Department over the past weekend on charges including driving under the influence, hit & run and possession with intent to distribute narcotics.
Sheriff Tommy Blankenship promptly terminated 44-year-old Joseph Russell Williamson’s employment after reviewing initial information from the arrest.
Blankenship addressed Pickens County citizens directly on social media regarding the incident, emphasizing his commitment to transparency. The sheriff said he personally went to the Easley Police Department on the night of the arrest to review charges and available evidence.
“Based on what I observed, I made the decision to terminate this deputy’s employment with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office that same evening,” Blankenship said.
The arrest began Saturday, May 2, when an Easley Police officer observed a Ford F-150 matching a description for a hit-and-run on SC-8 at Fleetwood Drive in Easley. Police began to investigate the vehicle and its occupant, later identified as Williamson.
During a search, officers realized Williamson was a Pickens County deputy and requested a supervisor to respond to the scene. Police then conducted a DUI investigation, during which multiple physiological signs of impairment were observed. Based on his observations and sobriety tests, it was determined that Williamson’s ability to operate a vehicle was impaired, and he was arrested for DUI.
After Williamson was transported to the police department, officers located controlled substances in Williamson’s truck. These substances were secured for testing.
Williamson was charged with DUI, hit and run of an attended vehicle with property damage, possession with intent to distribute Schedule II narcotics and possession with intent to distribute Schedule IV controlled substances.
Citations were also issued for driving offenses, police said.
Sheriff Blankenship emphasized the requirement for accountability within his office and mentioned he also requested the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) conduct an additional investigation to ensure thoroughness and a lack of bias.
Blankenship offered an apology to the Easley Police Department and the citizens of Pickens County, stating, “Situations like this damage the very trust that we work hard every day to build and I don’t take that lightly.”
Williamson was booked into the Pickens County Detention Center following his arrest.
He has since been released on a $23,517 bond.
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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