Five airlines agree to not charge carry-on fees at senator's urging

Five airlines have agreed they won't charge passengers for carry-on bags. 

New York Sen. Charles Schumer said Sunday he has gotten commitments from American, Delta, JetBlue, United and US Air, Schumer told The Associated Press.

Schumer has vowed to fight a decision by Spirit Airlines to charge customers as much as $45 to carry on a bag that needs to be stowed in the overhead compartment. He says he plans to meet with Spirit officials in the coming week. 

The New York Democrat has introduced legislation and has urged the Treasury Department to issue a rule to prohibit carry-on fees.

Spirit CEO Ben Baldanza has said the move would shorten security lines and make planes safer. 

Airlines began adding fees in summer 2008 to compensate for soaring oil prices. Since then they've become a mainstay for airlines to raise revenue.