Airlines being overwhelmed by checked luggage...

[bavaria]

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.

The items which you list CAN and SHOULD be placed under the seat in front of you. The only exception is large professional type camera equipment. But that is the risk that people run when travelling.

My company mandates that we do not place our laptops in checked luggage under any circumstance, even if that means that we do not travel that day.

 

[bavaria]

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

Exactly. Plan to put your items under the seat in front of you. The airline will tell you to do so.

If someone complains because there is no bin space, but hasn't used the underseat space in front of them, they will not get any empathy from the flight crew.

I've flown with a 21 inch carry on under the seat in front of me....

 

[bavaria]

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.

Forgive me but I am still struggling to understand what you mean - maybe you can clarify for me.

Especially after I make the effort to ask to preboard

If you are preboarding, why would there be no bin space left? I preboard all the time as an elite and have never run into this.

the aforementioned encouragement to passengers to carry on more.

While the airlines may encourage carry ons, they certainly do not encourage that people bring on more than their personal allowance. I have said many times that Air Canada and Lufthansa to name a few have strict cabin baggage policies which I have seen enforced (size as well as weight). I have often seen travellers with more than 2 carryons been denied either at check in or on boarding. If the extra bag is denied when boarding, it is gate checked.

I think that this is purely a hypothetical situation ie preboarding with valuable items only to find absolutely no space left in the bins or under the seat.

As you may know, I travel well over 125,000 miles/year and I have never seen this happen. While the last boarders may run into issues, I doubt that preboarders will encounter a situation where there is nowhere to stow their luggage.

 

[NotUrsula]

Professional camera equipment is actually a specific exception to the carryon baggage limits on most US carriers. If you have such equipment with you and can prove that you use it for work (media credentials, etc.), you usually get to carry it on as your "personal item" -- even if it is somewhat oversize. (If it is really oversize you will be told to buy a seat for it, just like a cello.)

On SWA, professional photographers get to preboard (last) for just this reason, so as to be sure that their equipment can be properly stowed.

If you have ordinary camera equipment or a laptop in your bag, and are told to gate-check it, then you open the bag and take out the electronics before surrendering the bag. They should fit under the seat.
(And this is why you should always have a padded sleeve on your laptop when you travel, just in case.)

 

[CarolA]

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.

ALL that the airline has EVER agreed to do is put YOU on the plane. Ask those folks who were in London who got thier Laptops, cameras everything but a SMALL plastic baggie taken away and loaded under the plane. They were NOT entitled to compensation and neither are you.

You seem to live in a world where if anyone does something you don't like you want PAYMENT! LOL! (Do you have a lawyer on retainer to sue the airlines?)

 

[bavaria]

United:
United may require that a carry-on item travel as checked baggage if the item cannot be safely stowed on a particular flight.

Delta:
There may be more limits to carry-on baggage based on available space and additional restrictions on certain flights.

American:
At times, additional limits may be placed on carry-on baggage based on the main cabin stowage capacity of specific aircraft. These limits may be imposed after the boarding process has begun. Some carry-on baggage may be stowed in a cargo compartment on selected American Eagle aircraft.

US Airways:
Operational or safety considerations may require limitations to the allowable carry-on baggage on specific flights. US Airways reserves the right to determine the suitability of any bag to be carried in the cabin of the aircraft.

It would appear to me that the airlines clearly state that there is a risk that any carry on item may be denied on board, or gate checked and subsequently transported as checked luggage.

I would seriously doubt that based on these clear guidelines any form of compensation would be merited.

 

[RachelEllen]

>>> 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.

One might think so, however, we were in this situation many years ago. My exhusband was forced to check a carry-on sized case containing video equipment (he's not a professional) because there was absolutely no room. He was given no alternative. When the camera was stolen, the airlines did not offer compensation.

 

[TDC Nala]

I hate checking luggage. But at this point I have to do it just to bring along a can of hairspray.

 

[seashoreCM]

One might think so, however, we were in this situation many years ago. My exhusband was forced to check a carry-on sized case containing video equipment (he's not a professional) because there was absolutely no room. He was given no alternative. When the camera was stolen, the airlines did not offer compensation.

Would it have fit under the seat in front of him?

I'll hold off on more cockamamie ideas until a few of you folks with Ph.D's in logistics have a chance to chime in first (and for my retained attorney to suggest a good brand of flame suit). Here are the questions:

What could he have done (with a little advance foresight) to avoid the situation?
What should he have done to avoid the situation?
What could the airline have done reasonably readily to help out situation?

 

[flying_babyb]

I've flown with a 21 inch carry on under the seat in front of me.??
It fit??? wow that gives me hope for my next trip. then again i overstuff my carryon

 

[RachelEllen]

Would it have fit under the seat in front of him?

I'll hold off on more cockamamie ideas until a few of you folks with Ph.D's in logistics have a chance to chime in first (and for my retained attorney to suggest a good brand of flame suit). Here are the questions:

What could he have done (with a little advance foresight) to avoid the situation?
What should he have done to avoid the situation?
What could the airline have done reasonably readily to help out situation?

It wouldn't go under the seat. It was a small rolling bag. It contained the video camera, tripod, spare batteries, as well as some Christmas presents. This was the Christmas just after Sept 11th, so things were particularly strict and it wasn't a good atmosphere in which to try to negioatiate. His 'personal item' was his small computer bag. This bag went under the seat in front of him.

What could he have done with foresight?

I'm not really sure. Of course, he could have shipped the video equipment down. But, any of us might do that with our valubles. If you are within the airlines size requirements for carry-on, how many leasure travellers decide to ship their stuff instead?

At the time? His only options were to check the roller bag or to not get on the plane. (And miss Christmas with his family in Texas. There were no other available flights that day.) He had about 5 minutes to decide what could go on the plane and what had to be checked. He managed to fit the computer and a few small presents into the computer bag and checked the roller bag.

When the roller bag arrived, it had been opened, and the camera and one battery had been removed.

Only upside is that homeowner's insurance eventually covered some of the loss.

 

[PatsGirl]

I'm another that always prefer to carry-on rather than check for many reasons, but most importantly, that I know where my things are and I don't have to wait for them on the other end and can be on my merry way I also don't mind the quart size "travel" bag but twice now have had to leave my sunscreen behind because it is four ounces -- has anyone been able to find a 3oz sunscreen? I've looked and cannot find one anywhere. Was actually considering shipping a small box or even UPS envelope filled with toiletries for my next trip. I don't mind taking 15 minutes and going into a walmart once I arrive at my destination but I do mind throwing more than half the products away or mailing them back home again.

 

[NotUrsula]

The thing is, unless you are going to a winter destination and only need to sunscreen your face, 3 oz. is only enough for about 6 hours' exposure for one person. Of course, if you pack your baggie with 3 oz. sunscreen bottles, you might have enough for a two full summer days. (FTR, Ocean Potion Dab-On Spotstick is under 2 oz., but I only use it for my face and the part in my hair. That one is liquid. Neutrogena and Hawaiian Tropic also make solid sticks for faces that are exempt from the baggie rule.)

There is nothing stopping you from thoroughly emptying out smaller bottles of something like hand lotion and refilling the bottles with sunscreen.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Yep, TSA is idiotic to say the least. They took my Tide-To-Go pen, yet I was allowed to carry on 100+ Disney Pins. Here are even more intresting accounts...

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=606142

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=642952

 

[bavaria]

But Josh, the Tide pen is clearly liquid - I took it out of my carryon months ago. The pins fall within the guidelines.

Frankly, I have had zero issues with TSA in the last 12 months; the only time I had someone even the least bit snarky was in Paris and I did have two items which slipped into my carryon and which were not approved items for carryon.

I know that other frequent travellers have had many issues, as witnessed here and on www.flyertalk.com. But whether I agree or disagree with the ban doesn't matter if I do have to fly - I just comply with the rules and voice any concerns in a more appropriate fashion.

I have great respect for CarolA - she is obviously frustrated by the TSA and some of their actions, but I know that she has taken the time to follow up in writing through the appropriate channels. I doubt that others do the same.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

But Josh, the Tide pen is clearly liquid - I took it out of my carryon months ago. The pins fall within the guidelines.

Frankly, I have had zero issues with TSA in the last 12 months; the only time I had someone even the least bit snarky was in Paris and I did have two items which slipped into my carryon and which were not approved items for carryon.

I know that other frequent travellers have had many issues, as witnessed here and on www.flyertalk.com. But whether I agree or disagree with the ban doesn't matter if I do have to fly - I just comply with the rules and voice any concerns in a more appropriate fashion.

I have great respect for CarolA - she is obviously frustrated by the TSA and some of their actions, but I know that she has taken the time to follow up in writing through the appropriate channels. I doubt that others do the same.

I do understand that the Tide To Go is a liquid. I just find it a bit extreme that sharp pieces of steel, numerious ones at that, are acceptable carry-ons where as a .5 oz tide to go pen is not. But, according to the new rules, if i put that pen into a zip lock bag, i can carry it on no problem. Seems a bit ridiculous doesn't it?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

The reason for the Ziploc bag is consistancy. The size of the Ziploc bag restricts the amount of liquids that you can bring on.

 

[CarolA]

The reason for the Ziploc bag is consistancy. The size of the Ziploc bag restricts the amount of liquids that you can bring on.

Tyler,

Everyone knows the ziplock baggies have MAGICAL qualities. Otherwise you could use the sandwich size (which is SMALLER then the quart size) Since the TSA has refused to allow sandwich size bags with "dangerous" items like ONE TUBE of toothpaste in them the ONLY logical reason can be that Harry Potter put a magic spell on quart size baggies. (Or the TSA agents are not smart emough to see that ONE tube of 2 oz toothpaste is UNDER thier limits???)

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

If there's one thing I've learned while working at Disney... is that if it doesn't make sense, we don't do it. I guess that logic could apply to TSA?

 

[safetymom]

In the case of video equipment I wouldn't ship my equipment. I travel for work with camera equipment. My company wouldn't pay the cost to ship it ahead using UPS, Fed Ex. I want to know where my equipment is at all times.