Budget Deal Asks Air Passengers to Pay More

This is a massive tax increase hidden as a "small fee".  There are millions of people flying every day and paying already steep prices for tickets.  I can't see this helping air travel or the economy in any way.

I especially don't like it that they call it a fee- so members of Congress can keep their pledge not to raise taxes.The above Forbes link was good to compare it to the gas tax.

This reminds me of a Simpson episode where Lisa( in Barts vision) is President. she is told to call a massive tax hike a refund adjustment.

Ok...I'll bite.

I think we have got to realize that air fares are cheaper than ever before, and like it or not security is a much needed part of traveling today. Generally I favour user pay taxes where possible and the  U.S. federal government is in no position to subsidize much of anything right now.

As far as what to call it... the names that taxes are given bug me too...but I think the public is at least partly to blame for that as well...because if you called it a tax, then there surely would be protests.