Sneaky Delta raises its checked bag fee while Continental takes the flak

No sooner did Continental announce that it's upping its checked bag fee that Delta decided there was enough blood in the water -- it could safely dive in, too.

The business wires are atwitter about Continental's heavy job losses (1,700 souls), which the airline claims necessitated an increase in its checked bag fees, and while its competitor faces the music in the press, Delta sneaked in its own copycat fee.

So as of Aug. 4, Delta just announced, it, too, will charge an additional $5 to anyone who waits until arriving at the airport before registering checked baggage. That brings its own fee to $20 for one bag and $30 for the second.