Average wages in Washington increased 5 percent from 2006 to 2007, new figures from the state's Employment Security Department show.

That good news for wage earners is also good news for those Washington residents unfortunate enough to be unemployed.

The boost in average wages will change weekly maximum and minimum unemployment benefits in Washington, which are based on average weekly wages.

Beginning July 1, the maximum weekly unemployment benefit will rise from $515 to $541. The minimum weekly unemployment check will increase to $129 from $122.

Only the maximum and minimum benefits will change. Those receiving amounts between those two extremes will continue to receive the same amount.

The increase in unemployment compensation will mean higher unemployment taxes for employers. Beginning in 2009, employers will pay unemployment taxes on the first $35,700 paid to each employee, the Employment Security Department said. That's up from the first $34,000.

I usually try to avoid touting the competition. However, in this case...

There’s an interesting article in this month’s (July) issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine on how to save on various fees: bank fees, investment fees, phone fees and so on. Mostly and essentially, the tips speak to common sense.

Choose the right ATM, look for good IRA, make your credit card payment on time – that kind of thing. There’s also a story about an obscure Social Security rule that allows retired beneficiaries to secure higher payments by paying back what they’ve already received and then restarting payments at a higher rate – say you retired at 62, and now, at 70, you’d like a greater monthly payment.

If you’ve got some tips of your own on avoiding all those fees that nibble away at the wallet, send them along to c.r.roberts@thenewstribune.com.

And to avoid paying the $3.50 cover price of the magazine, you might speak with your local librarian.

American Airlines won't be a lone wolf anymore in charging its customers for all their checked bags.

United Airlines today joined American in imposing a $15 fee each way to check passengers' first bag.

United already charges $25 each way for a second bag.
The checked luggage surcharge for the first bag will apply to passengers making reservations beginning tomorrow for flights leaving Aug. 18 or later.

American announced the $15 first bag fee three weeks ago for flights leaving this Sunday or later.

For the last three weeks, other airlines had taken a wait-and-see attitude toward the new baggage fee. They wanted to see what happens to American's traffic.

Now with the nation's first and second largest airlines imposing the bag charges, other airlines are more likely to join in.

First class passengers, passengers headed for foreign destinations other than Canada and members of American's top level frequent flier program are exempt from the extra charge.

Southwest is the only major U.S. airline not charging for either the first or second bag.

A new full-service restaurant with a name appropriate to the Northwest has opened in Sea-Tac Airport's North Satellite terminal.

Big Foot Food and Spirts' hearty food will offer travelers an alternative to the fast food offered in the satellite terminal.

Big Foot opens at 5 a.m. and serves until 11 p.m. to allow travelers showing up for early morning or late night flights a chance to fuel up before getting aboard their food-free flights.

As fuel prices escalate, some fuel-saving strategies that didn't pencil out economically when fuel was cheaper suddenly become feasible.

The latest among those fuel-saving ideas? Washing the insides of jet engines.

Southwest and United airlines have recently signed agreements with jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney to wash the engines of their fleets of aircraft.

Pratt's EcoPower engine wash system uses water to flush away accumulated particulates and grime that reduce the efficiency of jet engines. Washing engines will typically occur at night when the jets are parked.

Each washing cycle takes 60 to 90 minutes and costs $3,000 to $5,000 at list prices.

Airlines previously had washed engines only during major overhauls which typically occur every four to five years.

Now Southwest says it will wash its engines twice yearly.

The Dallas-based airline says it hopes to save $20 million yearly by operating cleaner engines.

When Tacoma's J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. delivers the new $12 million tug Pacific Star to Foss Maritime today, the shipyard won't be including a full tank of fuel.

That's because the 98-foot tractor tug's tanks hold 45,000 gallons of diesel fuel to power its two 16-cylinder, 3305-horsepower engines.

At pump prices, a full load of fuel would cost nearly $225,000.

Foss skipper Dave Corrie said the tug will typically fuel up every two to three weeks. The tanks aren't completely spent in that time period despite the boat's 24-hour-a-day operation.

"We don't let the needle get down to E before we fill up," he said.

The boat will likely often be used to escort tankers to and from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the refineries at Cherry Point.

If a tanker loses power, those escort tugs stand ready to push or pull the tanker out of harm's way. They don't want to run out of fuel when handling such urgent work, said Corrie.

Martinac President Joe Martinac Jr. said tugs designed for long ocean voyages have even larger tanks, 120,000 gallons.