Paying to avoid punishing conditions

Airlines have started introducing fees that allow customers to buy their way out of the unpleasantness of travel. Southwest Airlines is offering "Early Bird" check-in, which costs $10 and enables the customer to jump ahead in the boarding group A, B, C pecking order. American Airlines is offering something similar, with prices ranging from $9 to $19, which enables customers to board the airline before regular coach customers. Such fees may evolve into special pricing for a bundle of services, such as Family Plans for families traveling together. See WSJ 6/24/10 D1.