Airplane travel etiquette

[Mickeyistheman]

Jennasis...I feel your pain and understand where you are coming from. Glad that you are one of the nicer travellers that understand how things work.

I have worked in the travel business for 16 years and I have heard it all and then some. I have never been a big fan of the airlines because I feel that have been taking ALOT of advantage of its travellers especially now, when fuel costs are down.....WHY ARE YOU STILL CHARGING FOR BAGS!!!!! If I am not mistaken the reason was because they had to offset fuel prices...well they have gone down havent' they?

I know I am probably going to get flamed for this but I have seen this time and time again after all of my travels including international. The FAA did set rules for carry on luggage...it is the security and the TSA people at each airport that need some training.

Right before you get on that security line it has what size your carry on should be and how many you can take. NO ONE has ever adhered to that. I have seen too many people who were like many posters on here just bringing very important things that really cannot be checked and they get turned away because someone else was being greedy and wanted to abuse the system.

I also feel that the space above your assigned seat IS for those that are sitting within your row and the row behind you...not 4 or 5 back. If you adhere to the rules then yes EVERYTHING can fit in the above compartments.

I really don't care where I sit on a plane was never a big deal but my biggest pet peeve is when I am sitting in the front of the plane and everyone in the back is on the plane and seated and I go to opent he compartment and its stuffed.

 

[goofy4tink]

Huge sore spot with me. If you can't afford to pay $15-25 for a checked bag, perhaps you need to rethink your budget. It gets tiring to hear those who constantly blame the airlines.....'Oh, they need more profit so they start charging for checked bags.' Or that they are just plain greedy. Here's the thing...there is way too much of the 'what if I happen to need that xyz when I get to my destination?' mentality going on. I know that when my dh and eldest dd travel, they are huge 'what if' packers. My youngest, at 16, and I can pack in a carryon each for a 5 day trip. I can pack both of us in one checked bag. But, I have no problem doubling up on clothing and going without that conditioner or shampoo that I normally use. I don't need 27 pairs of shoes. One change of clothes a day is good.

But, people have to have their 'stuff'..just in case. I have found that the further back in the plane you are, the better your chances of getting bin storage is. I have seen way too many people get on the plane and stuff their bag(s) into the overhead bins as they walk by...even if it's over row 8 but they are in row 28!! Drives me nuts. Or those who have to stuff their entire wardrobe into that one carryon bag, but it doesn't actually fit into the overhead bin, so they have to shove and push it in order to get it out, then it won't come out easily so we all have to stand there and wait while it takes 4 men to pull that bag out of that bin!!!

People just need to pack less. Or, pay the price of those checked bags. I figure that the airlines could make a fortune if they charged for anythiing that needed to go in the overhead bins, but gave you that first checked bag free. Charge $10 for a carryon bag that doesn't fit underneath the seat, have the first checked bag free, and charge $30 for the second checked bag.

 

[bavaria]

People just need to pack less.

Mom, you are old enough to well remember the days when people travelled with one small 'flight bag' and that was it. And flights took a lot longer - travelling cross country took about twice as long, or more, than it does today.

We survived.

 

[tinatark]

Wow... I never knew that people thought the bins above their assigned seats were assigned to them as well!

Thanks to the new fees for checked baggage, people are bringing the largest "carry on" bags the rules will allow - and in the airports we've used recently, those rules have been enforced - Atlanta, Miami, Knoxville.

Every time I get off a flight, I stand their waiting for people to get their carry ons out of the overhead storage, wishing people who stored luggage overhead would depart the plane last.

 

[Huggles]

We always travel light. The four of us AT MOST will have a small backpack each (and within that pack will be purses, camera gear, medication etc) which will be stowed under the seat as per FA's requests. We only ever have one large (OR 2 medium) roller holdall things between us so any charges are minimal between 4. When we travelled for 2 weeks to Toronto we only had one large roller bag between 4 and the check in girl couldn't believe it! We wash underwear, socks and t shirts whilst we are away and fewer of those items means you can still take one or two dressy clothes without over loading.

 

[mjkacmom]

Huge sore spot with me. If you can't afford to pay $15-25 for a checked bag, perhaps you need to rethink your budget. .

Before the fees, I checked everything except maybe a small backpack with snacks and crayons for the kids - I always underpack (and we end up buying tshirts), and I don't even own a purse. However, after dropping over $1000 on the flight, I refuse to check bags. The last time we flew, we all had carry on bags, and yes, it was a PITA (epecially getting through security alone with 5 kids, while DH parked in long term parking). I used to LOVE checking my luggage!

 

[Poohbear123]

I fly Southwest...they DO NOT charge for Luggage....however, I check mine anyway, and bring a tote on board...not a problem, it fits under the seat. Its nice to know I can fly across America and NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR MY LUGGAGE! I have seen what some of these people try and put in the overhead bin...its ridiculous...I have 4 days of luggage in a small rolling suitcase that I CHECK IN AT CURBSIDE! I than Pick it up at Baggage claim and I am on my way to my destination, while everyone else is trying to stuff more luggage in the overhead bins.

 

[kaytieeldr]

What I will not do is be separated from thousands of dollars of medicine that cannot be replaced.

Okay, I guess I 'get' why the nebulizer can't be placed under the seat in front of you (although if it's heavy enough to risk someone's toes, it should also be heavy enough to not move in turbulence) - but why can't the medications be placed there? That way, they're COMPLETELY under your control and watch.

I have worked in the travel business for 16 years and I have heard it all and then some. I have never been a big fan of the airlines because I feel that have been taking ALOT of advantage of its travellers especially now, when fuel costs are down.....WHY ARE YOU STILL CHARGING FOR BAGS!!!!!

Because THEY STILL NEED THE MONEY!!!!! While the spike in fuel prices enabled the airlines to add baggage fees, the fact is, domestic airlines have been losing/bleeding money for years. How many have been in bankruptcy, just in this century? As long as customers demand the lowest possible ticket price, instead of letting the airlines charge a price that will - maybe, possibly, perhaps - allow them an occasional quarterly profit... airlines will continue to charge a la carte fees.

The FAA did set rules for carry on luggage...it is the security and the TSA people at each airport that need some training.

Training related to what? Allowable carry-on sizing? Nope. No way. That is the airlines' responsibility, not the TSA's in any manner.

 

[safetymom]

There are certainly posters here who don't obey the limitations; they used to ask quite frequently on the Transportation Board if they could bring too many/too large carry on, and they (and others) would become offended if they were told that the rules apply to them.

It is a double standard with many people - they complain about the lack of bin space, but they themselves bring too many/too large carry on and/or don't use the space under their seat.

Others would look down on those of us who don't bring much with us; apparently we are somehow inferior because we don't 'need' to have all of our 'stuff' on board with us.

This really isn't an issue when I fly in the rest of the world; I don't know why it is in America. And it wasn't driven by checked bag fees; it was an issue long before then. Why can't people follow instructions and obey the rules? And the airlines don't always enforce them; when they do, I see the reaction of some passengers and can understand why some airline employees are reluctant to confront passengers.

I am always happy to turn over my luggage when I fly. Why add to the stress of lugging it through the airport, worry about if I have the right size items, lifting it into the overhead bin?

Then I get on the plane and people are moving my camera bag to another bin because they need more room? I have notified the flight attendant a few times when bin hogs try to move my stuff to another location

People need to pack patience when they travel. They also need to learn how to get along with others. They also need to learn that their time is not more valuable than mine.

 

[safetymom]

BTW, before someone mentions it I always book the bulkhead row. Not able to put it under the seat.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

For example...while waiting for our plane to load this afternoon in NY to head home, the girl sitting across from me was getting reall y angry about all the things I mentioned and I was empathizing. So when the gate attendant announced that this flight was (surprise) booked solid and that those in "zone 4" would likely have no bin space since they loaded last, they were requesting folks in zone 4 to voluntarily bring their carry ons to the gate to be checked before boarding.

This is US Airways. What made my assigned seat (14C) "zone 4"?? There was a lady in 26 who was also zone 4...no where near me! How do I get an "upgrade" to zone 2??

You were zone 4 because you had an aisle seat. The zones are dictated by area of the plane as well as location of the seat. If you want an earlier zone, pay for 1st class, become a super frequent flier, or pick a window seat in the back of the plane.

It is a completely different mindset, and not just driven by checked bag fees. Carry on compliance (or lack thereof) on US carriers was an issue long before checked bag fees became the norm in America.

The reality is that many people here on this website still expect airlines to sell money losing fares of $59/69/79 and then balk at paying the various fees. US carriers have been bleeding billions of dollars over the past several years, and they are struggling to change their business model. Passengers just cannot have it all; something has to give, and the model many chose is to charge for checked bags to their least valuable customers (those who tend to be more loyal to low fares than to one carrier or alliance)

Amen! It is absolutely crazy that my tickets to Disney for later this month cost about the same, a little less, than the tickets we bought for our Disney honeymoon 11 years ago.

 

[joyjoy]

I've been travelling a lot lately for work and it's just no fun anymore.

Here's what pisses ME off. People don't want to pay to check their bag, I get it. So they load up an oversized carry on, KNOWING it won't pass and then act all indignant on the jetway when the FA measure it and it doesn't even come close to fitting in the measuring thingy. "What? Are you kidding me? I always carry that on! Okay, FINE. Check it.". Because.... now they have checked their bag for free. Ugh. Cheapskates. My last flight back to Houston from Chicago had about 25 oversized "carry ons" that had to be checked. Thanks for making us an hour late, your selfish *********.

 

[Missy1961]

I don't fly often, maybe once a year. So I fly JetBlue. They allow you 1 checked bag for free, I can pack what I need in 1 bag & still leave a little room. And since they have TVs on board, I don't need to carry much on the plane, so I use a backpack that has a book, a change of clothes, my contact lens solution & my purse. It fits perfectly under the seat in front of me. JetBlue isn't always the cheapest fare, but it's reasonable. Works for me.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Another gigantic carry-on hater here!

IMO, the airlines really need to crack down on this. Too many people bring too big of bags onto the plane. Even if none of the bags were overstuffed, the bins can't handle each passenger bringing on a roll-aboard, and since these days nearly everyone seems to be doing so, it's time to decrease the size limit of carry-on bags and start to enforce it.

I also like the idea of charging for roll-aboards. If it's that important to someone to have his entire travel wardrobe with him and be able to rush out of the airport without stopping at baggage claim, then he should be the one paying extra for the convenience, not the people who make use of the intended cargo space built into the aircraft.

If everyone just brought a small bag with a few items to keep them busy on the plane, their medications and valuables, and maybe one or two changes of clothing just in case those checked bags got lost, there would be plenty of room in the bins for everyone's things and flights wouldn't be delayed while FA's search to find space for people's bags, checking what didn't fit, etc.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I am always happy to turn over my luggage when I fly. Why add to the stress of lugging it through the airport, worry about if I have the right size items, lifting it into the overhead bin?

Then I get on the plane and people are moving my camera bag to another bin because they need more room? I have notified the flight attendant a few times when bin hogs try to move my stuff to another location

People need to pack patience when they travel. They also need to learn how to get along with others. They also need to learn that their time is not more valuable than mine.

we're the same way. We would much rather not deal with lugging our luggage onto the plane with us. Last time we flew, between the four of us, we carried on five items. Each of us had a small backpack or purse that we put under the seat in front of us, then dh put his laptop bag in the overhead bin. Since he also had a small backpack, the laptop wouldn't fit under the seat in front of him with it. We were all settled in when this couple comes in with these huge roll-aboards, getting all huffy and complaining about our laptop being in the overheard bin and how people should put those at their feet so there's room for the suitcases!

Um, no, the problem isn't that a party of four has one small bag in the bin between them, the problem is you and your two enormous bags! (would have liked to tell them that, but didn't. )

 

[emma'smom]

This is why we fly Southwest whenever we can. Southwest doesn't nickle and dime passengers.

I fly Southwest...they DO NOT charge for Luggage....however, I check mine anyway, and bring a tote on board...not a problem, it fits under the seat. Its nice to know I can fly across America and NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR MY LUGGAGE! I have seen what some of these people try and put in the overhead bin...its ridiculous...I have 4 days of luggage in a small rolling suitcase that I CHECK IN AT CURBSIDE! I than Pick it up at Baggage claim and I am on my way to my destination, while everyone else is trying to stuff more luggage in the overhead bins.

 

[bavaria]

it's time to decrease the size limit of carry-on bags and start to enforce it.

Honest question - please don't yell at the stinky foreigner.... (sorry, that is another thread on the Transportation Board)

In France and Germany one is told very firmly 'that is too big/too much, you must check it in' and when people try and throw a fit they are just told to calm down, or asked 'are you stupid? or don't you think that the rules apply to you?'

Why can't there be the same enforcement on American flights? Why can't passengers with too big/too heavy carry ons be turned away, and told to check the bag?

Sometimes I think that by being too nice we have created so many problems. People here really don't like it when I say 'the rules are the rules', but those people who think that the rules don't apply to them are creating these problems.

I think that the majority of posters agree that there are too many/too big/too heavy carry ons on most US flights, so why shouldn't there be enforcement of the rules? If passengers want to behave like idiots when they are told that their bag is too big, let them, but don't allow them to fly.

I'm stunned at the drama that people make when they know full well that they are not obeying the limits. I cannot think of another industry where customers are so blatantly allowed to flaunt the rules, and where customers fight back when they are held accountable.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

Okay, I guess I 'get' why the nebulizer can't be placed under the seat in front of you (although if it's heavy enough to risk someone's toes, it should also be heavy enough to not move in turbulence) - but why can't the medications be placed there? That way, they're COMPLETELY under your control and watch.

Because THEY STILL NEED THE MONEY!!!!! While the spike in fuel prices enabled the airlines to add baggage fees, the fact is, domestic airlines have been losing/bleeding money for years. How many have been in bankruptcy, just in this century? As long as customers demand the lowest possible ticket price, instead of letting the airlines charge a price that will - maybe, possibly, perhaps - allow them an occasional quarterly profit... airlines will continue to charge a la carte fees.Training related to what? Allowable carry-on sizing? Nope. No way. That is the airlines' responsibility, not the TSA's in any manner.

I understand that they still need money but when they first started charging for the bags...this was back when I was working in travel full time (sigh the good ole days) We got an email with a list of names of those that had booked flights on xyz airline, we had to call EACH person and tell them that they will have to pay more $$ for a checked bag...Oh what fun that was

HOWEVER, my point is that the airlines put in writing it was due to the increase in fuel costs, which at the time was a very valid point.

Airlines have been going in and out of bankruptcy or chapter 11 for years and years, then they come out of it. Continental alone has done it 3 times since I have been in the business this past 16 years. That is nothing new. But now they are changing their tune saying they aren't making money on the flights so now we are STILL going to charge you for a bag. It is ridiculous.

At least in Newark airport and JFK they need training the TSA people. They just let anyone through, they don't really check the bags like they should. Even after everything that went on up here 8 years ago. They need to enforce the rules as a PP said, instead of being nice or just turning a cheek to what is really going on. Rules are rules and especially on an airplane they should be enforced so everyone can enjoy the flight.

 

[bavaria]

I really wonder how often some responders actually fly - I suspect that it isn't that often at all, and that they are basing their experiences on those few times, and considering it fact.

There is nothing wrong with being an infrequent flyer, but to assume that a few experiences are fact or reality and apply to the industry at large just isn't logical.

 

[LoraJ]

Mrs. Toad,
I love the idea of charging for the roll on bags instead of the regular baggage. Would never happen though.