Chicago-based United Airlines says it will soon charge passengers $50 to check a second bag. That’s double the previous fee. United says the increase is another move to offset high fuel costs.

United Airlines says it’s paying more than 50 percent for fuel over last year’s costs. And that’s even after a decline in oil prices in recent weeks. Joe Schweiterman is a transportation expert at DePaul University in Chicago.

SCHWEITERMAN: We’re looking at $95-$96 fuel and calling that not a terrible thing for the airlines, it really shows how high fuel costs got and how our perceptions have changed. The fact is that United and other airlines even with this fuel price are going to have an extremely difficult winter.

Schweiterman doesn’t expect the upped baggage charge to have a great impact on the company’s revenue. United says first class travelers and active military personnel on duty are exempt from the fees.

For Chicago Public Radio, I’m Susie An.