[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

The previous posts reminded me of an often noted criticism, of "OPs," by pro-airline posters: Those who fail to familiarize themselves with every conceivable airline rule open themselves to the unspoken "penalty" of being "banned" (by pro-airline posters) from commenting on any adverse consequences as a result of such failure. First, I'm not talking about "obvious" rules like staying sober, not smoking, and taking your seat when told to. I speak of those less obvious (hidden??) rules. If someone is missing one or more pieces of checked baggage at their final destination how many people know you forfeit a lot of rights if you don't file a missing baggage report before you leave the airport? Travelling, by air, from point A, to point B, and avoiding a major expense beyond the cost of one's original ticket, may require a knowledge of airline and Federal rules comparable to a complete understanding of the entire Internal Revenue Service Code. Many states have long since passed laws requiring consumer contracts be written in "plain English." It's time Federal authorities, among other things, demand airlines stop hiding their true agenda behind 6 point type; foreign accents, and endless policies du jour.