STUDY LEADERSHIP. I am asking you to take part in a research project that is led by Tianxin Zhang, graduate student, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona Beach. PURPOSE. You have been asked to participate in the research study that aims at investigating the air travel passengers' opinions regarding checked baggage fees.

ELIGIBILITY. To be in this study, you must be 18 years or older.

PARTICIPATION. During the study, you will be asked to complete an online survey. The survey instrument consists of basic demographic questions, questions about your opinions regarding checked baggage fees. The completion of the survey will take approximately 10 minutes.

RISKS OF PARTICIPATION. The risks of participating in this study are minimal, no more than everyday life.

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION. We do not expect the study to benefit you personally. Your assistance in this project will help the researcher understand air travelers’ viewpoint. The findings may assist and give reference to airlines when they determine ticket price and checked baggage fee strategy.

VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION. Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. You may stop or withdraw from the study at any time or refuse to answer any particular question without it being held against you. Your decision whether or not to participate will have no effect on your current or future connection with anyone at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

RESPONDENT PRIVACY. Your individual information will be protected in all data resulting from this study. Your responses to this survey will be anonymous. No personal information will be collected other than basic demographic descriptors. The online survey system will not save IP address or any other identifying data. In order to protect the anonymity of your responses, I will keep your responses in a password protected file on a password protected computer. No one other than the researcher will have access to any of the responses.

FURTHER INFORMATION. If you have any questions or would like additional information about this study, please contact Tianxin Zhang, zhangt2@my.erau.edu , or the faculty member overseeing this project, Dr. Andy Dattel, andy.dattel@erau.edu. The ERAU Institutional Review Board (IRB) has approved this project. You may contact the ERAU IRB with any questions or issues at (386) 226-7179 or teri.gabriel@erau.edu. ERAU’s IRB is registered with the Department of Health & Human Services – Number – IORG0004370.

CONSENT. By checking AGREE below, you certify that: you are 18 years or older, understand the information on this form, have read and agreed with the participant letter, and you voluntarily agree to participate in the study. If you do not wish to participate in the study, simply close the browser or check DISAGREE which will direct you out of the study. If you decide not to continue the study, data collected from that participant will be destroyed. Please note that no data will be collected until you submit your response by clicking "Submit" button at the end of the survey. Please print a copy of this form for your records. A copy of this letter can also be requested from Tianxin Zhang, zhangt2@my.erau.edu.