More airlines using the 'a la carte' pricing structure

Flying to my mom-in-law's for Christmas, I was able to get a whole can of Coke when the flight attendants rolled the beverage cart my way. Flying back after New Year's, I was only able to get a cup -- and ice cubes took up most of the space. And to me, that sums up the direction airline service in 2009: a downward spiral.

You'd think gas prices going downward would mean fuel surcharges decline too. Think again.

And now more airlines are planning to go down the '"menu pricing" route for everything related to flying on their planes.