Considering banning all Carry-on luggage

[dcedwards]

I just heard this morning that the FAA was considering banning all carry on luggage on all flights. They would let you carry a small wallet but that would be all - nothing else. No purses, no diaper bags, no toy bags, no computers, no cell phones, nothing. I just about went through the ceiling. I emailed all my senators and representatives including the white house. Then emailed all the senators and representatives on the transportation committee.

I travel on a monthly basis with a 3 year old and ALL my carry on has to do with keeping him occupied and clothed during our trips. Can you imagine flying for 5 hours with nothing for your child to do? And what about diapers, wipes, blankets, snacks, juice. I make a very concerted effort to try to keep my son busy so he doesn't disturb other passengers and they don't have to listen to him whine, scream or cry. But with nothing but a wallet I will definitely be in big trouble.

I can live with them examining every thing in my carry-on luggage. The time involved would be an inconvenience but not a big deal. I can even live with them limiting carry on luggage to only bags that will fit comfortably under your seat but just a small wallet. But just a wallet - Give me a break. That is going too far.

I was wondering if anyone else had heard this? I heard it on FOX from an FAA official. My imagination goes wild....a plane with kids on it . The smell of dirty diapers because you didn't have any to change them into. The cries of kids who are bored and want something to do. The occassional kicking of the seat in front of you, which happens anyways but think how much more often it would be.

Perhaps I'm not seeing the other side of this. Just thought I would ask what others thought about this. This upsets me and I have let my senators and representatives know. What do you think?

 

[flyingcircus]

EEK, you are painting a vivid picture!!!

Maybe everyone could compromise, and allow only one carry on per psgr. like they do on the international flights!

 

[dcedwards]

Common sense? Hmmm!!! We will see what prevails in this time of tightened security. Like I said searching...every single piece...doesn't bother me...but throwing the baby out with the bath water does start to concern me.

 

[Luv2Dream]

My thought is that the airline could provide a "baby pack" when you get on the plane, which could include coloring book, crayons, small doll like that in a McD's happy meal, juice box, cookies, etc. and for really small children, it would include diapers, baby wipes, you get the picture. This would not only save US from carrying all the world with us but it would also prevent the carry-on luggage. Might this work? Just a thought.

 

[DebbieB]

I cannot see that happening, not totally. Will the airlines be responsible for laptops and other sensitive electronic stuff going through their baggage systems? You know how your luggage usually comes out, scraped and bent. No purses? There is STUFF you need to have with you. What about medicines? I could see limiting it to one and regulating the size. I hate to see people coming on with those wheeled suitcases and trying to stuff them in the overhead. That's what should go first.

 

[Disnydad]

I would not mind limiting carryons to one, scanned & hand searched bag. It would make getting on and off the plane faster for sure.

 

[Tiffany]

I heard this and would not be happy either. What about medications that people have to take. Some medications have to be keep at room temp and what about if they lost your luggage with your medications in them. That would be a big mess. I am also not a good flyer and need to listen to CDs and or read a book while I am on the plane. They can search everything that they want to but at least one carryon is needed just to carry personal items.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

they used to give out little packs for kids. they cut it out to save money. so they won't do that again. electronics are not covered under the baggage agreement either. I agree with the one carry on per person. this would also eliminate the over stuffing of the overhead compartments as well. they just to quit panicking right now and going overboard...because they were too lax before they are going overboard the other way now. too little too late.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I really would not mind. Although I did just buy a portable dvd player and dh has to bring his laptop on the plane. But if they showed a movie and gave kids crayons and paper, I would be willing to pack it away (along with insurance).

Think of it: Less to carry, less time getting in and out of plane, less to walk around in at terminal and carefree worry before pre-boarding.

I don't think it would be all that crazy, however, baggage claim would chew up all the free time you'd get pre-boarding!

How about packing light???

 

[Planogirl]

What?! No purse! And where are we supposed to put our airline tickets? Could we at least wear a jacket with big inside pockets?

What about the medication I have to take? Or cameras? Or like someone wisely pointed out, things for a baby?

This is getting to be a bit too much IMO.

 

[R4racing]

I could do without a carry on for myself if I had to, but it just makes no sense to me to not allow diaper bags. I understand that some people carry everything but the kitchen sink in them, but at bare minimum most kids under 2, and a lot under 3 pretty much require the diaper bag. I could not imagine being on a flight that was sitting back in line to take off on a snowy Jan day out of say, O'Hare, bound for of all places Orlando. They would pretty much have to have diapers available on board then or it would make for some nasty flights. Imagine a 4 hour delay with no bottles, no sippy cups, the only diapers the ones you could get out of a machine or airport gift shop. I also think it would hurt the gift shops as who would buy gifts that you cannot carry on.

 

[pbhunt]

They are not taking my purse away from me!!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

With no carry ons, there would be lots of wasted space in the cabin and perhaps times when the cargo hold won't fit everything.

They should consider shrink wrapping all the carry ons (people could get out things like diapers and coloring books first) and anyone found unwrapping his carry on during flight would be penalized.

Other travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

 

[flyingcircus]

Hey seashoreCM,

I like that idea!!! Any idea on where I can buy the stock for the shrink wrapping Company!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I am sure the FAA is "considering" many things, however, until it becomes fact, I would not get all worked up. There is NOTHING mentioned of this on the FAA website, or on CBS's website, or NBC's or ABC's. In fact the only thing being mentioned about airtravel is about arming pilots.
Let's not panic folks.
As an aside, I am not disputing the original poster's word, just saying that right know it is a consideration, not a rule.

 

[adamak]

I think we're going way overboard if they ban carry on bags. Is that true security, or is that trading convience for peace of mind.
If there is no carry on luggage, can we really prevent what had happened? No.
If there is no carry on, can we really prevent crazy people from shipping bombs? No.
If there is no carry on, can we prevent some nuts from hijacking the plane? No.

What's next? Ban bags on trains? Ban bags on subways? tighter security is a good thing. But being paranoid is not helpful. I think we should focus on the real issues, like, using intelligence to figure out who those 0.01% of the populations are....instead of band-aiding what had happened before. If we do not do so, we will always be a step behind those crazy cold blooded killers.

 

[dcedwards]

Good conversation. Gail Hayden -- you are right -- and I take no offense. However, the FAA spokesperson should not be bringing it up on national TV if it isn't actually being considered. Perhaps they were floating a balloon to see the reaction. They got mine!!!! And it wasn't positive. It will be interesting to see what my senators and representatives say. I will keep everyone posted on any responses I get, if any.

I agree with adamark in that we tend to be going overboard in many areas. I realize and know that security was very lax. Yes we need to tighten it up. However, let's look at those areas where the increased security can actually make a difference and not just "make us feel better."

I was really curious to see what other people's reactions would be. If it were just me flying I would strongly object to not being able to take my purse as a carry on. If I could take that on then I would be fine. However, as a mom with an active three year old the thought of no diaper/toy bag would drive me to insanity ... entertaining my son for five hours with no toys, etc. What a nightmare.

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that had a negative reaction to this suggestion or consideration. I just think it is important that as these things come up that we take the time to let those in authority know our thoughts. Afterall, that is one of the things that makes America great.

I love this forum. Such inquisitive minds and great thinkers.

 

[robinb]

My thought is that the airline could provide a "baby pack" when you get on the plane, which could include coloring book, crayons, small doll like that in a McD's happy meal, juice box, cookies, etc. and for really small children, it would include diapers, baby wipes, you get the picture.

JAL did this when we flew to Tokyo. We had a couple of diapers, wipes, a bib, baby food and a couple of toys.

 

[Dizzy-Disney4]

I also heard about this consideration. But, they said they would allow diaper bags, purses, and wallets...nothing else. At least thats what the report that I heard said.

 

[Lewisc]

Many people going on vacation bring expensive cameras and camcorders and airlines don't have any liability if these are checked. I don't think a complete ban would be accepted. One airline (SWA?) was experimenting with limiting carryons to 15 pounds. That may be way to allow people to carry on what they need but limit the quantity to allow easier and more thorough searching.