Airlines being overwhelmed by checked luggage...

[InstImpres]

welll now that the airlines have us all trained for as little carry on as possible (I personally couldn't believe the overhead was at about 10-15% capacity on my last flight) they are now begging for carryon so they don't have to handle so much.

Continental has a whole thing on their website about "please carry on" and this was on my e-ticket:
"Take a Companion On Your Next Trip - Your Carry-on Bag

Bring your bag onboard and save time. Trial size liquids, gels and aerosol items (3.4 oz./100ml or less) that fit in one, quart-size (1 liter), clear plastic zip-top bag are allowed beyond security. Restrictions vary for flights departing from non-U.S. airports. See continental.com or tsa.gov for details."

I don't have to be asked twice, no checked luggage for me next month

 

[goofy4tink]

Obviously they got more than they bargained for when they started limiting the stuff you could carry on. Now, even with the easing of the 'amounts' of liquids you can bring, people are still checking most of their stuff.
I did notice fewer carryon bags when traveling to Orlando last month though. Yes, the overheads were still being used but it wasn't as bad as it has been.
Not sure what we'll be doing...I hate having to stuff everything into a carryon sized bag but we'll see how it goes later this month.

 

[seashoreCM]

A long time ago, airplanes did not have overhead bins but instead had just racks for coats, hats, etc. At least one airline had movie screens at intervals up there and film made a long loop down one side of the cabin and up the other side to feed each screen with built in projector. In order to leave more space down below for mail and other non-passenger related cargo, airlines commandeered that space above the seats for passenger baggage.

>>> Obviously they [the airlines] got more what they bargained for.
We have all read about the complaints and fights over overhead bin space, both for rollaboard luggage and for coats.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[dudspizza]

Obviously they got more than they bargained for when they started limiting the stuff you could carry on. Now, even with the easing of the 'amounts' of liquids you can bring, people are still checking most of their stuff.
I did notice fewer carryon bags when traveling to Orlando last month though. Yes, the overheads were still being used but it wasn't as bad as it has been.
Not sure what we'll be doing...I hate having to stuff everything into a carryon sized bag but we'll see how it goes later this month.

I noticed this in October... DW and I were the only ones to use the overhead bin in our area... maybe I have been lucky, but I have never had an overhead bin problem that is being discussed in another thread.

Now, I changed what I carry on very little, because I hate carrying everything on...

Duds

 

[CarolA]

Keep in mind the airlines had nothing to do with the latest round of "rules to protect you" The TSA has basically once again made up "rules to protect you" but that will of course make your travel MUCH more difficult.

(TSA=Thousands Standing Around)

Just to give you a clue on the "effectiveness of this 'search' The last two flights I flew I forgot to take my baggie out. Two out of two times the "vaunted" TSA failed to see the "liquids" in my carryon. LOL!)

 

[InstImpres]

Keep in mind the airlines had nothing to do with the latest round of "rules to protect you" The TSA has basically once again made up "rules to protect you" but that will of course make your travel MUCH more difficult.

(TSA=Thousands Standing Around)

Just to give you a clue on the "effectiveness of this 'search' The last two flights I flew I forgot to take my baggie out. Two out of two times the "vaunted" TSA failed to see the "liquids" in my carryon. LOL!)

I couldn't agree with you more on both counts.

I just think for once the public actually listened and isn't doing carry on. If you figure most people had 1 carry on (though we all know some had several) and dependant on the size of the plane, the airline is now handling 50-200 extra pieces per flight, I am sure it is costly for them.

 

[bavaria]

Well, I flew (for work) Dec 23rd, Dec 27th, and Dec 31st (among many other days) and felt like I was the only business traveller on board. I can attest to the bins being jam packed with items. In contrast, on many of my other flights this fall with mostly business travellers, the bins were not very full.

I don't think that means that business travellers check more luggage, but rather than some leisure travellers are still exceeding the maximum allowed cabin baggage (both size and total)

Air Canada also offers $5 off some tickets if one does not check luggage.

 

[CarolA]

Well, I flew (for work) Dec 23rd, Dec 27th, and Dec 31st (among many other days) and felt like I was the only business traveller on board. I can attest to the bins being jam packed with items. In contrast, on many of my other flights this fall with mostly business travellers, the bins were not very full.

I don't think that means that business travellers check more luggage, but rather than some leisure travellers are still exceeding the maximum allowed cabin baggage (both size and total)

Air Canada also offers $5 off some tickets if one does not check luggage.

I agree. And folks your Disney shopping bag is a carryon. It's not two PLUS the Disney bag LOL!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I hate checking our luggage unless we're on a 7+ day trip. We each use our rolling carry-on and make use of the washing machine in our DVC villa if we run low on outfits. This trip I may just ship my toilettries down so they're already waiting for us when we arrive and ship them along with my souveniers back at the end of the trip.

 

[RachelEllen]

I think part of the problem is that people are willing to lug a large carry-on if it avoids checking baggage. Once you have to check one bag, to hold that 6 oz bottle of shampoo, for example, most people would just take a small carry-on and check the rest. So little changes in what you can take on board lead to a lot more checked luggage.

 

[safetymom]

I wish more people would check their luggage. If they did the airlines would have to learn to deal with it better and it would work better for everyone. Thank goodness I don't have to stand in the security line anymore behind those travellers that weren't aware of the rules containing liquids and they hold up the entire line because they don't want to check their bag.

My Clear card has been worth every penny since they started this.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

On three separate occasions over the holiday period Southwest Airlines at SAN had to stop taking baggage at the curb and counter in order to clear the backlog in the secure baggage makeup area. Clearly people were arriving much earlier than usual and were probably victims of 'no overhead space' in the past or everyone was taking advantage of checking 2 bags each.

I saw many an annoyed SWA passenger. Stricter carry-on size guidelines would alleviate a lot of this (just try and get me off that topic!)

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

It is true that Southwest has one of the more lenient checked luggage guidelines of all the airlines... but most think of that as an advantage.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

It is true that Southwest has one of the more lenient checked luggage guidelines of all the airlines... but most think of that as an advantage.

It's an advantage if you can check it and get to your gate to wait in your A, B, or C line

 

[InstImpres]

My Clear card has been worth every penny since they started this.

I am hoping they are on target with their expansion plans, I would love it. My only issue is that often it is more than DD and I, so it would defeat the purpose.

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> Please Carry On

Psst: I think the airline exposes itself to complaints and even compensation requests for inconvenience if someone who has a genuine need to carry luggage on board is prevented from doing so because others were overtly encouraged to bring more carry on baggage with them.

 

[bavaria]

FAs don't get overly involved in WHY someone can't get their carryon in the bin. They need to get the flight on it's way and will just gate check the bags, regardless of why they won't fit. Doesn't matter if one brought too many bags, the bag is too big, or even if one has just a small carryon but there is no room in the bin due to inconsiderate travellers. If it doesn't fit, it gets checked.

If someone has something like medication that must stay in the cabin, it would normally fit under the seat, or some form of accomodation is made. Too few people use the space under the seat because they want to stretch out their feet, even though the FAs are very clear that the larger bag goes in the bin, the smaller bag under the seat.

Suggesting compensation is merited because someone else brought too much on board is probably not realistic. Even those airlines who encourage carry on luggage only have a strict policy that it must still comply with the usual carry on policy.

As I have often stated, I am usually in row 1 or in the bulkhead row, neither of which have storage under a seat. I am doubly at the mercy of my fellow passengers and their carry on issues, and sometimes I am the unlucky one who has her carryon gate checked.

 

[CarolA]

>>> Please Carry On

Psst: I think the airline exposes itself to complaints and even compensation requests for inconvenience if someone who has a genuine need to carry luggage on board is prevented from doing so because others were overtly encouraged to bring more carry on baggage with them.

WHAT???? You want to get paid for this.

Perhaps you need to make sure your "genuine" needs fit UNDER your seat LOL!

 

[bavaria]

WHAT???? You want to get paid for this.

Perhaps you need to make sure your "genuine" needs fit UNDER your seat LOL!

Well, we DO see a lot of comments here suggesting that people recommend compensation for things which the airlines clearly state that they will not compensate (ie weather delays).... so, here's just one more to add to the list!

All of that 'compensation' is what will drive down revenues and increase fares or result in protection from bankruptcy filings.

Personally, if anyone DID get compensation because they had to gate check their bag, I'd be . I often see the FAs giving passengers a 'tough cookies' attitude when they are forced to gate check their bag...

 

[seashoreCM]

I do not consider having to wait at the carousel inconvenience.

But I consider it unconscionable that the airline can give me the ultimatum of having my laptop, camera, etc. taken from me to board this flight or pay more to take the next flight. Especially after I make the effort to ask to preboard and espcially given the big print "do not put valuables in checked baggage" in the airline's brochures,and also given the aforementioned encouragement to passengers to carry on more.

Unlike weather, this issue is something that the passenger can plan around and that the airline can control.