Continental ups luggage fees, but preserves the illusion of competitiveness

Continental Airlines is gasping for breath, so by golly, its customers will have to be as well.

It has announced the elimination of some 1,700 jobs, and at the same time, it's grasping for funds by hiking fees yet again.

If you fly on Continental after Aug. 19, you will now pay $20 for the first checked bag and $30 for the second, up $5 from its current fees.

Like United and U.S. Airways, Fee King of the Skies, recently did, it will charge you the current, lower prices if you're able to check your bags online ahead of time, but not everyone will be able to do that. Increasingly, people without computers, or tourists without access to them on their trips, are being penalized by the airlines.