The surging price of jet fuel has forced airlines to eke profits out of passengers by charging for previously complementary services like baggage checks and in-flight meals and drinks.

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In addition, airlines and airports that use automated kiosks for services such as printing boarding passes and baggage tags would have to ensure that any kiosk ordered 60 days after the rule takes effect is accessible.

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But Manuel Atienza, of the General Workers Union (UGT) said the strike will have more impact as it continues, because overloaded ground crews, even while complying with legally-mandated minimum services, will fall farther behind on tasks like baggage handling.

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Rather than raise fares, airlines began charging for services that had been free, from the obvious (baggage handling) to more subtle (standby travel on an earlier flight ).

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But Rumsfeld aides say the situation, combined with the political baggage White is carrying from having worked at Enron where he headed Enron Energy Services, a subsidiary, may be too much for Rumsfeld.

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