A gentle warning about carry on bags

[cm8]

I would expect the airline to honor my ticket as-is with reasonable dispatch (e.g. on a later flight), or to refund it, if the airline cannot comply with the coarse print in its brochures or website including not having valuables in checked baggage, when I have complied (e.g. baggage within size and quantity limits).

I agree

 

[DVC-Don]

As I once posted about, while boarding a Southwest flight: Woman with a oversized "carry on" bag could not lift it up to the overheard bin asks a man trying to get around her to lift her bag. His response? "Lady, if you can't lift it, it ain't a carry on". I had all I could to to keep from laughing out loud. A FA came and tried to get it in the bin, but it had to be gate checked.

 

[maxiesmom]

Am I the only one who entertains herself at the gate by playing the Who has a carryon that won't fit game? It is an easy way to kill a few minutes of your wait time.

Not only do I wish the would enforce the carryon size rule, I wish they would enforce the wheels or handle out part of the rule too. So many people carry on their huge bag and then hog a whole compartment with it, because it only fits in the bin sideways. They really should be forced to gate check those bags.

 

[seashoreCM]

Maybe we need to dig into the subject of psychology of airline employees.

(We don't need to dig into the subject of psychology of airline passengers because we already know everything about that.)

Do airlines not want to enforce rules because none of the rank and file want to do that or because the airline does not want the rules enforced?

We need to find out, perhaps using trial and error, how well the airline will enforce rules specifically upon request.

 

[LoveKermit]

I've watched (on that same Airtran flight) a small adult woman have to stand on a seat in order to get her huge bag into the bin...she pushed and shoved it, until a man came along to help her. They finally shoved it in. Well....when it came to getting it back out, that guy was off the plane and the woman left to deal with it on her own. That bag was huge...way oversized. There was no way I was helping her with a bag that took up the entire bin leaving someone else to have to look elsewhere for room for their bag.

I love this. The bag is as big as the woman. Did she have on her Pink (Victoria's Secret) sweat suit or equivalent? They all look the same....

 

[goofy4tink]

Am I the only one who entertains herself at the gate by playing the Who has a carryon that won't fit game? It is an easy way to kill a few minutes of your wait time.

Not only do I wish the would enforce the carryon size rule, I wish they would enforce the wheels or handle out part of the rule too. So many people carry on their huge bag and then hog a whole compartment with it, because it only fits in the bin sideways. They really should be forced to gate check those bags.

And I'm the one who sits there, with my LLBean rolling duffle, medium sized, worrying that it's too big for carryon. And it fits in perfectly, wheels in first. But there are those that I have to wonder about...you know the ones. They have the huge rolling bag, then an oversized shopping bag, and their huge totebag purse. And do they get stopped? Nope. I've never seen it happen.
It would be nice if they could eyeball bags and then gatecheck the bags that are going to have to either go in sideways, or be pushed and shoved at in order to get them in that bin,.

I love this. The bag is as big as the woman. Did she have on her Pink (Victoria's Secret) sweat suit or equivalent? They all look the same....

Oh, that would be a very accurate description!!!!

 

[eliza61]

Maybe we need to dig into the subject of psychology of airline employees.

(We don't need to dig into the subject of psychology of airline passengers because we already know everything about that.)

Do airlines not want to enforce rules because none of the rank and file want to do that or because the airline does not want the rules enforced?

We need to find out, perhaps using trial and error, how well the airline will enforce rules specifically upon request.

I think it's a combination of both. The poor rank and file employee is caught in a really hard place. She/he knows John q public is trying to save a buck by not checking luggage. Most travelers are a little stressed anyway. You can't bring water through security so now we may be a little salty 'cause we're forced to pay $2.25 for a bottle of lukewarm water. Does she really want to start a stink over a carry one bag? remember also she's got to get people disembarked and then loaded all over again and get that flight off on time.

but at the same time, there is only a finite amount of space and everyone is supposed to be able to take a carryon. I know when I fly for business it's really not the fee I'm concerned with. I take a carryon to save time. Generally I've got a meeting to get to and don't want to wait for luggage to be off loaded. so I'm more inclined to grumble if forced to check my bag when I see grandma boarding with overstuffed micky's for the kiddies. the first thing I think is "she's taking up my space". LOL

 

[Mommy2JulietJocelyn]

And here I am always worrying that we bring too much when for myself, DH and my 3 DD I have all our stuff in one small-fits-wheels in first carry-on. I think because we have had a carseat with us on the last couple plane flights. I always get bothered that I am taking too much time when getting the carseat in but you def don't want my youngest not in the seat.

 

[seashoreCM]

And here I am always worrying that we bring too much when for myself, DH and my 3 DD I have all our stuff in one small-fits-wheels in first carry-on. I think because we have had a carseat with us on the last couple plane flights. I always get bothered that I am taking too much time when getting the carseat in but you def don't want my youngest not in the seat.

Don't worry about the time. Take a deep breath. Try to be calm and collected. If the airline is concerned about that then it would have let you board sooner (you did have the foresight to shoot for the airport early and ask once quietly, no? tight connections being acceptable excuse to board last)

If the business and elite travelers were concerned, they would have hustled aboard using their early boarding passes, whipped their carryons into the overheads, snapped down in their seats, and left more time for the hoi polloi.

 

[jenseib]

And I'm the one who sits there, with my LLBean rolling duffle, medium sized, worrying that it's too big for carryon. And it fits in perfectly, wheels in first. But there are those that I have to wonder about...you know the ones. They have the huge rolling bag, then an oversized shopping bag, and their huge totebag purse. And do they get stopped? Nope. I've never seen it happen.
It would be nice if they could eyeball bags and then gatecheck the bags that are going to have to either go in sideways, or be pushed and shoved at in order to get them in that bin,.


Oh, that would be a very accurate description!!!!

What is the demensions of you duffle carryon? We have one from Disney, and I think it is borderling to big. I need to go measure it for sure.

 

[CarolMN]

Maybe we need to dig into the subject of psychology of airline employees.

(We don't need to dig into the subject of psychology of airline passengers because we already know everything about that.)

Do airlines not want to enforce rules because none of the rank and file want to do that or because the airline does not want the rules enforced?

We need to find out, perhaps using trial and error, how well the airline will enforce rules specifically upon request.

I think the FAs & gate agents are between the proverbial rock and a hard place.

They are accountable for getting the plane off on-time. Confrontations with passengers over bags can take up lots of precious time and are not usually pleasant experiences, anyway. In their place, I wouldn't enforce those rules until I absolutely had to, either.

Carry-on bags are a huge reason why SWA is my first choice (unless they cost way more than the others). Since checked bags are free, excessive or over large carry-ons do not seem to be a problem. Every SWA flight I've taken has had more than ample room to accommodate those bags. And not once on SWA has anyone dropped one on my head, LOL.

IMO, the airlines should charge MORE for a carry on that needs to go in the overhead than a checked bag. Turn around and on-time would be much improved if they did. (Under the seat should remain free).

 

[clkelley]

Whew, I guess I'm really lucky when it comes to business travel.....

I read that most business travelers decide to carry on because they are in such a rush and have to have seats in front of the plane, etc., etc.

I find my business travel to be waaaaaay more relaxing than leisure travel.

My company reimburses if I have to pay for checked luggage, and I fly to my destination the day before, and fly home the day after work concludes, so I really only have my laptop as a carryon and have plenty of time.

Now personal travel is another thing.... This is MY time and MY money, so I want to make the most of it, I want a flight that leaves shortly after I am sprung from work, and I want to stay at my destination as long as possible before it's time to head back to the office. Unfortunately the airline industry has decided (at least from my airport) that evening flights and early AM flights are not profitable.

So we now drive way more than fly for personal travel because we can actually have more time at WDW by driving simply due to schedue.

 

[Alexander]

I guess the idea of saving 20 bucks is totally lost on me! People who are traveling for vacation drop 20 bucks for a hamburger and soda without batting an eye, but won't pay 20 bucks for the airline to deal with their baggage!

We check everything we possibly can. The kids each bring an iPod touch and I bring a laptop, my camera, and purse. That's it. I cannot imagine having to schlep bags and bags through the airport to save a few dollars!

And what is wrong with using the space under the seat in front of you? I don't understand the people who prefer to put bags above that would fit underneath.

Our family doesn't use the overhead bin for anything. I even gate check the booster seat.

 

[somcgregor]

Here is my vent about Carry On Luggage. I fly for both Business and Personal travel. Much more for business than personal. If I am gone fore 4 nights or less I try to do carry on only.

My last trip was international. Not carrying on for that don't want to deal with it. Any who I hate people who place both carry on items in the overhead bin and then I don't get to put my own bag above.

Also what is the deal with putting your coats in the overhead bin too. Aren't you suppose to wait until everyone has boarded and then place your coat in the bin!

 

[seashoreCM]

I guess the idea of saving 20 bucks is totally lost on me! People who are traveling for vacation drop 20 bucks for a hamburger and soda without batting an eye, but won't pay 20 bucks for the airline to deal with their baggage!

... I cannot imagine having to schlep bags and bags through the airport to save a few dollars!

Well, different people have different habits. Some folks would rather use the $20. for the hamburger and soda. Although the energy spent schlepping the bags through the airport won't use up even 1% of the calories of the hamburger and soda.

Reminds me of my first job, in a department store. Back then they offered home delivery of things you bought (I was sometime responsible for gathering the items tied with string and left at the cash register and taking them to a basement room and wrapping them with brown paper, writing out labels, and then taking them to the truck loading dock.) In the store there were signs here and there with words like "the package you carry gets home first" Regrettably stuff had been found in the back rooms after Christmas even though paid for well in time for Christmas delivery. I claim not to have been the responsible party there.

And what is wrong with using the space under the seat in front of you? I don't understand the people who prefer to put bags above that would fit underneath.

That space is already being used such that the bag would not fit. I think I can safely leave elaboration to the imagination.

Also what is the deal with putting your coats in the overhead bin too. Aren't you suppose to wait until everyone has boarded and then place your coat in the bin!

Nothing wrong with placing your coat in the bin. Everything wrong with defending much more than the space , say, occupied by the fur using your own arms now that the animal that used to be inside that fur is dead and gone and preferably eaten.

IMO, the airlines should charge MORE for a carry on that needs to go in the overhead than a checked bag. Turn around and on-time would be much improved if they did. (Under the seat should remain free).

I agree. Unfortunately the major airlines seem to have locked themselves out of that alternative given something they said to the media or to Congress or to the FAA.

 

[maxiesmom]

, say, occupied by the fur using your own arms now that the animal that used to be inside that fur is dead and gone and preferably eaten.[/color]

Delta at least tells people as they board to not put their coats in the overhead bin, it is for suitcases and bags only. You should wear your coat, or wait until everyone has stowed their bags before hogging overhead bin space with it.

 

[duffy]

And what is wrong with using the space under the seat in front of you? I don't understand the people who prefer to put bags above that would fit underneath.

Our family doesn't use the overhead bin for anything. I even gate check the booster seat.

I don't understand that either. It's much easier for me to get out what I need from my backpack under the seat in front of me, if I need to, instead of getting it out of the overhead bin.

Oh, and I never need to get anything out of the backpack anyhow!

I was amused by a gentleman on our last flight. He had his wallet in his carry-on, and of course it was in the overhead bin. And he decided he needed a vodka, so he had to pay for it. He spent a good 5 minutes rummaging about for his wallet, holding up everything. Really, why wouldn't he have it in his back pocket??

 

[deegack]

I don't understand that either. It's much easier for me to get out what I need from my backpack under the seat in front of me, if I need to, instead of getting it out of the overhead bin.

Oh, and I never need to get anything out of the backpack anyhow!

I was amused by a gentleman on our last flight. He had his wallet in his carry-on, and of course it was in the overhead bin. And he decided he needed a vodka, so he had to pay for it. He spent a good 5 minutes rummaging about for his wallet, holding up everything. Really, why wouldn't he have it in his back pocket??

I could think of 2 reasons

1) you really shouldn't travel with your wallet in your back pocket it makes you an easy target for pick pockets

2) he put it in his carry one before he passed through security (to speed things up) and didn't remember to take it out until he needed it.

 

[clanmcculloch]

My DH takes his wallet out of his back pocket any time he'll be sitting down for more than about half an hour. He's found that keeping it in his pocket results in his leg going to sleep.

We don't put bags in the overhead bins. Our bags are small enough to go under the seat in front of us and we only carry 3 for the 4 of us so DH who's 6'3" has the extra leg room he needs since I stow the bag with his and my stuff.

We DO put our coats in the overhead bin. I don't see it as being selfish taking up a small amount of space for our coats when we're not using any space for bags. How is this hogging space? It's a heck of a lot less space than we'd be using if we actually put bags up there.

As much as I think airlines should charge people who are bringing bags that are bigger than their stated size, I also know that this would greatly affect their on time departures as people argue with the poor GAs and FAs who are stuck enforcing the rule not to mention the time for tagging the bags and running the charge.

 

[duffy]

Hm, I guess keeping your wallet in your carry-on could be a good idea. I guess. I don't carry a wallet.

My amusement was more in the fact that it took him soooo loooong to dig it out, almost to the point of desperation. I remember thinking, "geez, buddy, do you want your vodka that bad? I...guess you do."