After logging over 200,000 flight miles annually for work, I've grown skeptical that budget airlines truly save passengers money in the long run. Between baggage fees, seat selection charges, and the higher likelihood of delays, the advertised fare rarely matches the final cost. I recently paid $180 for a ticket on a low-cost carrier, but after adding a checked bag and choosing a seat, my total reached $245—more than the $230 ticket on a full-service airline that included those perks. Shouldn't we consider the true cost of flying when comparing airlines, rather than just the headline price?