Did you know that American Airlines, and most every other domestic airline, are still charging a surtax related to the September 11 terrorist attacks?
It’s true, and you can check your itemized airline bill for the $5.60 charge.
The surtax helps to fund the Transportation Security Administration, which was founded by then-President George W. Bush almost 22 years ago, shortly after the attacks. The tax is in addition to an airline’s regular base fare, other fees imposed by the carrier, and a 7.5 percent U.S. excise tax.
The TSA has added an extra layer to what was previously lax security at airports.
The fee helps to pay for the training and salaries of federal and local law enforcement. It also helps support the Federal Air Marshal program. It is not known how much money that travelers have paid into the TSA over the past generation.
It is also not known whether the charge is perpetual or at some point the government believes that TSA can be fully funded without the contributions of the taxpayer.
Many U.S. businesses, including those as diverse as restaurants and cell phone companies, have added a surcharge.
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