United Airlines Giving Back $200 It Charged Texas Soldier for Overweight Duffel Bag

A Texas Army National Guard officer returning home after nearly two years deployed to Afghanistan says he had to pay United Airlines $200 because his military bag was overweight.KTBC-TV in Austin reports 1st Lt. John Rader of Kyle had a duffel just over the 70-pound military bag weight limit, for no charges, to take a United flight Monday from El Paso.Rader had a layover in Houston before arriving at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.United, in a statement Thursday, said the charge would be refunded to Rader as a goodwill gesture. The carrier says military personnel are allowed to check five bags, weighing up to 70 pounds apiece, for free.Rader's bag had a Kevlar vest, two helmets and boots. He didn't have another bag with him to transfer items.The Associated PressFollow our coverage of airlines.  Continue reading...