Increased carry-on baggage?

[shocker]

I recently read a thread about how disney had increased stroller prices and the unexpected strain it has put on the buses now carrying brought from home strollers. Now, I'm wondering if the fees for checked bags (sometimes for the first, in other cases for the second and up) will cause people to take more carry-on luggage. For example, we've booked airtran in Aug. and they allow 55 linear inches for a carry-on but my carry-ons run about 45 linear inches. So, I could ditch the smaller carry-ons for my second largest suitcase in my set (that I would normally check) for my carry-on. If everyone on the plane does the same thing we'll never fit all that stuff on there. We used to let the kids pack and pull their own small suitcases but now everything has to go into larger but fewer bags. I'll now have to use their carry-on allotment in larger bags to take everything we'll need. Just a thought. If you've seen the effects of the new bag fees, please add them.

 

[seashoreCM]

There may be a temporary increase in carry-ons but the airline is sure to tighten up on the subject of carry-ons.

After all the airline may not make passenger #2 pay a baggage check fee that passenger #1 should have paid but where passenger #1 used up all the overhead bin space. So more baggage being brought to the gate will remain a circumvention of fees until carry on policy is tightened up.

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

 

[shocker]

I'm just saying most people, like me, will start using larger carry-ons, though they are still within the size constraints for a carry-on. Now really small bags, like my childrens, won't be checked at all.

 

[maxiesmom]

If it causes a big enough problem, look for the airlines to change what they consider a carry-on. I just flew Continental, and if you wanted to put your carry-on in the overhead compartment it had to fit handle out. You could not place it in sideways. If it didn't fit it was gate-checked. And I know those things can way a ton. Are you ready and able to lit it up into the overhead yourself?

I guess some of it comes down to how much luggage you really want to be taking with you thru the airport. A bag that big? No thanks. I don't care if it has wheels, it is still a pita to haul it up stairs, across the moving walkways, on the trams, or to have by you in a restaurant.

Me, I am looking into shipping a box down before my next trip. It will cost about the same as a piece of checked luggage, and I will have the plus of not having to haul it around.

It does stink, all of the new fees the airlines are coming up with. But with the price of gas only getting higher and higher, their only other recourse would be to raise ticket prices. So what is the difference? Call it a fee, raise the price of a ticket, it IS going to cost us more to fly. And the less luggage they can convince people to put on a plane, the lighter it is, the less gas it uses to get us to where we want to go. There is a lot less space in the overheads than there is in the cago section. So limiting the weight us passengers place on a plane is a great business decision for the airlines.

 

[Lady Lady]

I am sitting at Ohare airport waiting for my flight. My first flight to Chicago had plenty of extra space in the overhead bins. My Wednesday flight also had plenty of room. I fly United and choose aisle seats. So I board in their last group. I had no problem with putting my carryon in the bin.

 

[bavaria]

I have been doing a weekly update thread here since the fee began, with several flights a week to observe. I have not seen an increase, just the usual.

On today's flights there appeared to actually be less carry on luggage than I have seen in past but then again, I was on an international flight, which may have made a difference.

On my US domestic flights this week, again no difference. That makes 3 weeks with flights almost every few days that I have noticed no marked difference.

 

[DebbieB]

I think you will see a big difference if they all follow American and charge for the first bag. Another concern is the check-in lines will be longer because they will have to process the fees.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I think you will see a big difference if they all follow American and charge for the first bag. Another concern is the check-in lines will be longer because they will have to process the fees.

If they get smart and make fares lowest without checked bags, and charge a premium for fares with checked bags and then just surcharge those who choose the first option instead of the second when they are checking a bag.

More kiosks are needed too, no reason to have an agent assist every person.

 

[Darcy03231]

For years I've always checked my bag, even though I could have carried on as it fits the size requirements (I'm a very light packer) and have only carried on a very small tote that fits under the seat as I really don't like having to deal with carrying on my luggage. With the new charges I will be one of the people now carrying my bag on the plane w/me.

 

[DebbieB]

If they get smart and make fares lowest without checked bags, and charge a premium for fares with checked bags and then just surcharge those who choose the first option instead of the second when they are checking a bag.

More kiosks are needed too, no reason to have an agent assist every person.

No matter how they do it, people will look at the prices and see that they can save money by doing all carry-ons, they will do it. You'll have a family of 4 with a maximum carryon size piece for each person.

 

[rewok]

Since the fees are still pretty recent, there are probably lots of "grandfathered" travellers who are still exempt, so the situation might not be at its worse peak yet!

And I, like others, also think the airlines will decrease size and/or weight of those carry-ons if it's too hard to deal with. Many low cost/charters here limit the carry-on to 11lbs. Pack one of those little rolling things, it will get you over that pretty quickly. That would control back the situation.

 

[CarolA]

Can you and you alone get it in the overhead???

IMHO that's the main rule and if you can't... don't expect your fellow travelers and/or the FA's to help We aren't risking back injury because you cant' deal with your luggage LOL! And no the fact that you are old etc. does not count!

The other risk is that you actually have a HIGHER risk of your luggage being LEFT if it gets gate checked. It's a little known fact but I see it quite often at baggage claim. On upset passenger because his/her gate checked luggage was NOT on the belt. Gate checked luggage is NOT treated like a stroller etc. It is NOT normally delivered to you at the gate it goes to the baggage claim. (And in Nashville a few years ago the DL station manger posted a sign... Gate checked luggage will be on the next plane to help ensure an on time departure LOL!)

 

[safetymom]

I bet in the not too distant future they will start limiting carry ons. They can't be that clueless to think that the carryons wouldn't increase.