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Talk of the bay: One free bag per passenger, US Airways says

By Times Staff
Published February 27, 2008

Pack light or pay up. On Tuesday, US Airways became the second major airline to charge customers a $25 fee ($50 round trip) to check a second piece of luggage. The fee goes into effect May 5 for all tickets purchased starting today. US Airways, the third-largest carrier at Tampa International Airport, will still allow one free checked bag per passenger. The fee will be waived for the airline's best customers: Dividend Miles elite members, first-class and envoy fliers, and Star Alliance silver and gold members. Also exempt are active-duty military personnel, unaccompanied minors and passengers with "assistive devices" such as walkers and wheelchairs. Skycaps at curbside will accept only one checked bag, so customers with more will need to go to the ticket counter or a kiosk inside the terminal. United Airlines imposed the same fee earlier this month.

State Farm to trim business policies too

Florida homeowners who have State Farm insurance and live within a mile of the coast aren't the only ones who could see their policies lapse. Company officials confirmed Tuesday that an unspecified number of business owners along the coast who have commercial State Farm policies also will be dropped. "Agents are now getting lists of customers affected," said State Farm spokesman Justin Glover, adding that agents were told last summer that the company would have to "take a look" at coastal commercial policies. In January, State Farm began a policy of not renewing 50,000 coastal homeowners. And last Friday, the company confirmed it will stop writing new homeowners policies throughout the state. The reason for all three moves, Glover said, is State Farm's mammoth exposure to risk. "This was not an easy decision to make," Glover said.

CFO joins Times Publishing board

St. Petersburg Times vice president and chief financial officer Jana Jones has been named to the board of parent Times Publishing Co. A graduate of California State University, Jones, 47, joined the Times in 2004 with 20 years of financial experience in banking, construction and newspapers. She also was vice president and CFO at the Bakersfield Californian. "In short order, Jana has established herself as strong contributor among our senior leaders," said Paul Tash, Times chairman, CEO and editor. "She is carrying a steadily larger portfolio of responsibilities, with both ability and grace."

[Last modified February 26, 2008, 23:03:02]