Air Tran Carryons

[ccgirl]

So...I just flew my first flight with AirTran. Other than it being crowded, I was very pleased. Much to my surprise, as I had read horror stories on this board.

However, one thing that did bother me a bit was their carry on bag policy. I just had a duffel bag (could fit in the overhead compartment very well) and my purse (fit under the seat) so I was within their guidelines. However, due to people being too cheap to pay the $15 they were stuffing their suitcases as much as possible and they weren't fitting overhead. This held up boarding quite a bit. The flight attendants would then gate check their bags for free. I think this is almost promoting this practice. If your bag is too big to be a carry on; it is no longer a carry on and you should be charged the $15 for the bag. I do plan on writing to them and asking them why that is; I just thought it was strange.

Anyway, for those flying AirTran; that was the worst of it for me. They even gave us headphones on our flight so we could listen to satellite radio and came around twice for drink service.

 

[ladyhawk14624]

Glad to hear your experience and thoughts. We're flying AirTran for the first time in January. As much as I don't want to pay for checked luggage we are going to. I'll have my purse and we'll have one small carry on for the two of us. Hopefully we can fit it overhead or even underneath. You're right though, if the bag is even borderline it should be checked.

 

[DebbieB]

AirTran's definition of "carry-on" is pretty big compared to other airlines. Most airlines max at 45 total.

http://www.airtran.com/policies/carry-on_checked.aspx#Carry On

Dimensions
If any one (1) of the three (3) dimensions listed below is exceeded, the bag or personal item is considered too large to be a carry-on item.

A carry-on bag must not exceed 24” long + 18” wide + 13” tall for a total combined linear measurement of 55 inches.
For a personal item, such as a briefcase, laptop, purse, or camera to fit under the seat in front of the customer, it must not exceed 17” long + 12” wide + 8.5” tall.

SW is 10 x 16 x 24, so it will be a little smaller. Delta on the other hand is 22 x 14 x 9.

 

[ccgirl]

AirTran's definition of "carry-on" is pretty big compared to other airlines. Most airlines max at 45 total.

http://www.airtran.com/policies/carry-on_checked.aspx#Carry On



SW is 10 x 16 x 24, so it will be a little smaller. Delta on the other hand is 22 x 14 x 9.

Exactly. They are generous with their carryon size at it is but people are exceeding the size, trying to stuff it overhead then when they don't fit the attendants need to get the bag off the plane then it gets to fly for free. As I said, if it can't fit overhead people should be charged the money. Then, maybe they will stop exceeding the size.

 

[Sandi]

I had an experience with Delta where I had a bag that was the right size, but there just wasn't any room to put it anywhere on the completely full plane. I was one of the last passengers to board because my connection was late. The FAs gate checked my bag. Why should have I had to pay the checked luggage fee? Those of us who can't fit their bag somewhere aren't all bad people trying to beat the system.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I had an experience with Delta where I had a bag that was the right size, but there just wasn't any room to put it anywhere on the completely full plane. I was one of the last passengers to board because my connection was late. The FAs gate checked my bag. Why should have I had to pay the checked luggage fee? Those of us who can't fit their bag somewhere aren't all bad people trying to beat the system.

Agree!! Airtran does this as customer service and to facilitate ontime departures. They board early enough to allow for gate checking if needed.

Some people will put a hat or coat in the overhead, which does not leave room for bags. Most are reluctant to move items.

If you want to fly an airline where everyone pays for their bags, there is always Spirit

Why rush to judge and punish? Airtran got you to where you were going safely.

 

[ccgirl]

I had an experience with Delta where I had a bag that was the right size, but there just wasn't any room to put it anywhere on the completely full plane. I was one of the last passengers to board because my connection was late. The FAs gate checked my bag. Why should have I had to pay the checked luggage fee? Those of us who can't fit their bag somewhere aren't all bad people trying to beat the system.

Agree!! Airtran does this as customer service and to facilitate ontime departures. They board early enough to allow for gate checking if needed.

Some people will put a hat or coat in the overhead, which does not leave room for bags. Most are reluctant to move items.

If you want to fly an airline where everyone pays for their bags, there is always Spirit


Why rush to judge and punish? Airtran got you to where you were going safely.

This is not what I am talking about. I don't mean it wouldn't fit as in there was no space for it; I mean it wouldn't fit as in it was too large to fit in the overhead compartment. I agree that if it wouldn't fit due to overhead bins being full it should be checked free of charge. However, on all 4 flights there were people with bags obviously too big to fit that got them checked free of charge because they attempted to fit them. They also made an announcement that coats had to be place in your bag or on top of your bag as there was enough room for 3 bags per row and 3 seats in a row.

Not rushing to punish at all. Simply stating what I observed.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

However, on all 4 flights there were people with bags obviously too big to fit that got them checked free of charge because they attempted to fit them.

Then the AirTran gate agents should have stopped these passengers before they got on the plane and made them gate check their bags. If they choose not to do so, the loss of bag check revenue is their fault.

 

[budbeerlady]

Glad Airtran went well for you. We have had the overhead issue no matter who we have flown with but still choose Airtran more often than not! (Really people! Pack less or check a bag!!!!!)

 

[ccgirl]

Then the AirTran gate agents should have stopped these passengers before they got on the plane and made them gate check their bags. If they choose not to do so, the loss of bag check revenue is their fault.

Exactly. And, it also made the boarding process a lot longer. I guess I just wish people would just follow the rules. The woman behind me told her DH that she knew she could get it checked free of charge if she tried to fit it and wanted to save the $15. Maybe Spirit has the right idea.

 

[Gary M]

When I fly on AirTran, I upgrade to business class. I usually sit in row 1, so I'm near the door. On the last half dozen or so trips on AirTran, I have seen a pattern of people gaming the system. Maybe 5 or 6 passengers come on the plane with very large bags, that have no shot of being a carry on. The FA stops them at the door and have them gate check, without a charge. The overhead bins aren't full because these are people boarding the plane early. There is no argument or surprise, they just give up the bags and go back to their seat. It's obvious that they are doing this to keep from paying the baggage fees.

 

[ccgirl]

When I fly on AirTran, I upgrade to business class. I usually sit in row 1, so I'm near the door. On the last half dozen or so trips on AirTran, I have seen a pattern of people gaming the system. Maybe 5 or 6 passengers come on the plane with very large bags, that have no shot of being a carry on. The FA stops them at the door and have them gate check, without a charge. The overhead bins aren't full because these are people boarding the plane early. There is no argument or surprise, they just give up the bags and go back to their seat. It's obvious that they are doing this to keep from paying the baggage fees.

This is exactly what I saw as well. Was a bit surprised by it. Other than that, was pleasantly surprised with AirTran as this was the first time I had flown them.