Another lovely service courtesy of your airline

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It was last month that we flew our nephew up here from Los Angeles so that he could be at the twins' birthday party. After the tickets were purchased, which I managed to get at the $49 rate one way and the $59 rate the other way (which does NOT add up to $108, can you say taxes?), I checked out the unaccompanied minor procedures to see if they had changed. Well goody, the nice airliner had added a $25 charge, each way, payable at check-in. I wasn't ecstatic but I wanted him up here, so I told my sister-in-law and we each agreed to pay it on our end. So this weekend on the 10th, I am flying down to Los Angeles. My Aunt Terri is moving back to New York and I wanted to say goodbye. I don't know when or if I will be able to travel back there or vice versa given current economic conditions, among other things. Anyway I was happy to get the $49 rate both ways as well as a good deal on a rental car. No hidden charges since I am NOT a minor, unaccompanied or otherwise, I am not taking any luggage and it's much too short a flight for there to be food offered. Today I got an e-mail reminding me of my upcoming flight, which I have never gotten before, and I thought, "oh, that's nice." Then I opened it and saw their lovely new feature. Yes indeed, folks, for only $10 each way, I can check in NOW and be guaranteed the best seats, first crack at the luggage bin, etc. Whoo hoo. I don't think so. I know it's tough times and the airlines aren't having it all that easy, but NO, not happening. Thanks Southwest, but I'll just leave a reminder on my calendar to check in first thing Friday morning and again Friday evening and take my chances with the seating. So now this is me up on my soapbox talking to anybody who flies this airline or any other one that is doing this. "Don't pay their stupid fee. Don't anybody pay their fee. The old system was just fine. If NOBODY pays their stupid fee, they will have to look at it as a failed experiment and drop it." End rant...