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Delta Changes Policy After Outcry Over Soldier Luggage Fees

DENVER (CBS4)- Delta Airlines has changed its luggage policy regarding U.S. Servicemen and women. The policy change comes after soldiers returning from Afghanistan claim the airline charged them hundreds of dollars in extra baggage fees.

Staff Sgt. Robert O'Hair of Lochbuie is one of the soldiers expressing his displeasure with Delta Airlines. He told CBS4 by phone the response to the YouTube videos is unexpected.

The soldiers said they just "wanted to vent."

O'Hair and other members of his unit were on the final leg of their return from Afghanistan, taking a Delta flight from Baltimore to Atlanta to get back to Fort Polk, La.

They were told they had to pay an extra $200 for a fourth bag as excess luggage.

This is a portion of their conversation that appeared on YouTube:

"What was that fourth bag for you, for me it was a weapons case holding my M-4 203 grenade launcher and 9mm, tools I used to protect myself and Afghan citizens while I was deployed," said O'Hair.

"Good business model, Delta. Thank you. We're actually happy to be back in America. God bless America. Not happy, not happy at all. Appreciate it, thank you," said Staff Sgt. Frederick Hilliker.

Delta Airlines issued this statement, "We would like to publicly apologize to those servicemen and women for any miscommunications regarding our current policies. We will be reaching out to each of them to address the concerns."

The airline officially changed its policy regarding U.S. servicemen and women Wednesday morning. The policy allows one additional bag for soldiers traveling under orders.

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