So turns out, it's not so bad to be back from the trip. I learned yesterday this:
www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5d98a9d2-7561-11dd-ab30-0000779fd18c.html Good thing I flew with them back on the 15th, instead of the 29th which we also pondered.
Turns out they REALLY did need those fees on overweight checked baggage after all.