Knowing how to travel (fly).

[Uncle Coaster]

Have you tried compression bags? I can fit a change of clothing into one and then place it into a small backpack I carry, or place it in DHs backpack and carry just a travel bag.

No, I haven’t but I might try for those occasions when I have to take my backpack with me.

 

[SC Minnie]

A couple of years ago I was on a flight and a guy started having a seizure. A bad one. He ended up breaking the seat. A friend/coworker was traveling with him and told the FA he had put his medication in his checked bag. The seizure went on for over an hour and subsided as we started to land.

DH and I always mix our clothes in bags just in case one gets lost/left.

 

[EACarlson]

In regards to SWA, they initially charge a customer for that extra seat then they request a refund for it after the flight. I don't know if that's always been the case but in its present iteration it's not actually charging a customer in the end, it's just ensuring another seat is blocked out and accounted for.

What you posted is neither current nor previous policy for Southwest. Previous policy was that a Customer of Size could purchase a second seat at any time and if the flight was not sold out, SW would refund the second seat. Current policy is that a COS can purchase a second seat in advance and receive a refund after the flight, regardless of whether the flight was sold out or not. Or they may present themselves at the gate to add a second seat to their reservation, to the point of removing another passenger from the plane if the flight is full.

 

[dvcgirl67]

I remember that show! Yes poor passenger behavior isn't new. I do think we've seen a shift in basically both the airlines becoming lax in service and passengers more fed up with it. So maybe what used to be less commonplace to see really poor passenger behavior which made them stand out more you now seem more commonplace situations occur as almost a baseline, then the really poor passenger behavior just stands out even more.

I saw an article from a traveling blog (I forget which one but it wasn't the Points Guy for sure) that just spoke about I think either United or American Airlines where a passenger mentioned how his flight he had a passenger of size who took up half their seat and the arm rest was unable to be put down and there was no response from the FAs for a resolution because the flight was fully full so no additional seat to use up. I believe the advice was given to put in a complaint against the airline to the DOT for failure to abide by their own rules which was that passenger of size customer should not have been able to board with no additional seat purchased which I actually agree with.

In regards to SWA, they initially charge a customer for that extra seat then they request a refund for it after the flight. I don't know if that's always been the case but in its present iteration it's not actually charging a customer in the end, it's just ensuring another seat is blocked out and accounted for.

Yup, I see that mentioned on the United subreddit....the part about passengers filing a complaint with the DOT. Many also try to use Social Media or DMs to get through to them, mostly as a way to ask for compensation...etc. The airlines throw some FF miles in most cases.

That's interesting about SWA...didn't know they refunded the money. I get both sides of the argument. The airlines are a business and they are selling space...etc. But it also feels harsh to charge someone double to fly.

That show Airline about SWA was wild. I enjoyed it, thought I don't exactly see how it was helpful to SWA in any way. Although I came away with a great deal of respect for the gate agents in particular. That show led me to reality shows about customs and border control....in the UK, Canada and Australia. Also fascinating. And those shows act like a PSA for those countries. Do not try and smuggle drugs or bring in banned items or food. They also catch a fair amount of people who have or are likely to overstay tourist visas to work illegally in the country. Those agents have a lot of power in most cases.

 

[NotUrsula]

A few years ago, a few of my teammates and I flew to Oceanside, CA for an Ironman 70.3 race. We were all on the same flight.

They laughed at me because I carried on my helmet, bike shoes, wetsuit, and pedals. They put their gear in their bike boxes. I explained that if my bike didn't make it from DEN to San Diego, at least I had the essentials and I could rent a bike (although that would be difficult because my bike is an extra small and they're extremely difficult to find for rent.)

My bike made it, but their bikes did not. They had to not only rent a bike but buy bike shoes and helmets and use regular pedals and rent wetsuits.

Same sort of thing is a rule with my DD's ice skates; we tell her those are NEVER to be checked because of their value, but the airlines don't want them in the cabin, so she has been pressured to gate check them times past counting. I've told more than one flight attendant that unless they are willing to not only pay the value of them (just under $2K), but fly in a new pair AND a skilled tech to do the custom fit adjustments on the replacements, there is no way in hell that will happen. (Lots of FAs see ice skate and think "sharp blade", but they really can't be used as a knife, and the FAA has a special regulation allowing them past TSA; I've had to tell TSOs about that rule several times.)

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

• Don't put two bags in the overhead when one of them can fit under the seat (fine if there is extra room, but not on a full flight).

I've seen many people over time putting a full carry-on in the overhead then adding a backpack/purse, and also a coat. I find it so inconsiderate to do that when first boarding. I think it's fine when it's obvious that everyone's on the plane, but not when you first get on, especially if you are one of the early arrivals.

 

[dvcgirl67]

I've seen many people over time putting a full carry-on in the overhead then adding a backpack/purse, and also a coat. I find it so inconsiderate to do that when first boarding. I think it's fine when it's obvious that everyone's on the plane, but not when you first get on, especially if you are one of the early arrivals.

Yup....this example came up recently on the United subreddit. The carryon....fine. The backpack, not so much. You get one thing overhead and whatever else you have must fit under the seat in front of you. If that flight is full, it's likely that backpack gets gate checked. That might be his strategy as gate checked items almost always make it on the flight, which is not the case these days for luggage checked at the counter.

The other major offense here is people with the rolling carryon (fine), backpack for under seat (fine), but then a purse and 2-4 shopping bags....not fine. And I've seen many times where they'll position the shopping bags overhead to protect them as they are souvenirs....but then someone comes along to put their suitcase up and an argument ensues because shopping bags get squished. The person in the wrong is the shopping sherpa.

 

[White Cat]

I have been on flights, and it happened on one Monday, where they were tagging over head bags. They mentioned charging $75 to anyone putting an untagged bag over head. And they were checking.

Delta seems to be the worst for not policing this. I have seen several times their stewardess and stewards putting their bags, and quite a few, overhead up front.

You would think it would be an easy process. But people especially younger people try to stretch the rules. It’s amazing what some people bring on a plane and they mostly get away with it.

 

[china mom]

What is your opinion of this:

On an airline where carry on and personal items are free. The allowance is two bags (one of each). Announcements are made that the overhead bin is for your larger item and your smaller item must go under the seat.

You pack a backpack (personal item sized) only so that you can put your one item up top and leave your under-seat area empty for you feet.

Flight attendant sees a backpack in the overhead and says it needs to go under the seat because it is a smaller item. You feel that a backpack is already taking up less space in the overheard than a 22 inch would so you are using "your space" up top.

Who is right?

 

[White Cat]

What is your opinion of this:

On an airline where carry on and personal items are free. The allowance is two bags (one of each). Announcements are made that the overhead bin is for your larger item and your smaller item must go under the seat.

You pack a backpack (personal item sized) only so that you can put your one item up top and leave your under-seat area empty for you feet.

Flight attendant sees a backpack in the overhead and says it needs to go under the seat because it is a smaller item. You feel that a backpack is already taking up less space in the overheard than a 22 inch would so you are using "your space" up top.

Who is right?

The passenger should be allowed to put their one and only bag up top.

 

[Keladry84]

What is your opinion of this:

On an airline where carry on and personal items are free. The allowance is two bags (one of each). Announcements are made that the overhead bin is for your larger item and your smaller item must go under the seat.

You pack a backpack (personal item sized) only so that you can put your one item up top and leave your under-seat area empty for you feet.

Flight attendant sees a backpack in the overhead and says it needs to go under the seat because it is a smaller item. You feel that a backpack is already taking up less space in the overheard than a 22 inch would so you are using "your space" up top.

Who is right?

Add to that having a smaller personal item as well (so the backpack up top IS the larger carryon item) This was me my last flight. I put my backpack up top, sat down, had my smaller item as instructed at my feet. Less than ten seconds later, a flight attendant swoops by, yanks my back pack out of the overhead, practically throws it at me saying “no back packs in the overhead” and storms off before I can tell her I already have a bag at my feet. I had to repack both bags so they could “both” fit crammed under my seat. So pleasant to be completely forbidden to use the overhead just because I packed lighter.

 

[china mom]

Add to that having a smaller personal item as well (so the backpack up top IS the larger carryon item) This was me my last flight. I put my backpack up top, sat down, had my smaller item as instructed at my feet. Less than ten seconds later, a flight attendant swoops by, yanks my back pack out of the overhead, practically throws it at me saying “no back packs in the overhead” and storms off before I can tell her I already have a bag at my feet. I had to repack both bags so they could “both” fit crammed under my seat. So pleasant to be completely forbidden to use the overhead just because I packed lighter.

Yes, this is DH's argument. I often travel with a personal item smaller than some women's purses and no carry on but I like my stuff close so I can have access during the flight. DH would rather hold his ipad and airpods in his hand and stash his backpack up top. If DD is with us, she only has a personal item so we are only using one partial spot of bin space for three passengers

 

[EACarlson]

Add to that having a smaller personal item as well (so the backpack up top IS the larger carryon item) This was me my last flight. I put my backpack up top, sat down, had my smaller item as instructed at my feet. Less than ten seconds later, a flight attendant swoops by, yanks my back pack out of the overhead, practically throws it at me saying “no back packs in the overhead” and storms off before I can tell her I already have a bag at my feet. I had to repack both bags so they could “both” fit crammed under my seat. So pleasant to be completely forbidden to use the overhead just because I packed lighter.

I do exactly that also and as soon as the flight attendant walked away I would have put my backpack back up in the bin. I'm complying with the actual federal regulation and the company policy. I have a small drawstring bag for the things I need in flight and everything else goes in the overhead.

 

[soccerdad72]

What is your opinion of this:

On an airline where carry on and personal items are free. The allowance is two bags (one of each). Announcements are made that the overhead bin is for your larger item and your smaller item must go under the seat.

You pack a backpack (personal item sized) only so that you can put your one item up top and leave your under-seat area empty for you feet.

Flight attendant sees a backpack in the overhead and says it needs to go under the seat because it is a smaller item. You feel that a backpack is already taking up less space in the overheard than a 22 inch would so you are using "your space" up top.

Who is right?

You should be able to put your backpack in overhead space in that situation.

 

[VandVsmama]

We're going to Hawaii in a couple of weeks. Flying on Hawaiian Airlines. And I don't want to have to pay the luggage fees. Nor do I want to have to stress out about whether or not our luggage will arrive in Honolulu with us. So the 4 of us (me, DH, 2 kids) are ONLY bringing carry-on luggage. 1 backpack/personal item and 1 roll-aboard suitcase for each of us.

Whatever liquids we need? We'll buy when we get there (sunscreen).

We're basically going to live in shorts and bathing suits the whole week, so it's not like we have to pack like we're going to Mt Everest. And it'll save me $320 on luggage fees.

 

[sam_gordon]

Delta seems to be the worst for not policing this. I have seen several times their stewardess and stewards putting their bags, and quite a few, overhead up front.

I pretty much exclusively fly Delta, and have repeatedly see them make announcements about "only two items" AND stop people from boarding until they consolidate. Not every flight, but more often than seeing someone go through with 3+ bags.

Of course, someone could consolidate, then separate while going down the jetway or once they get to their seat.

What is your opinion of this:

On an airline where carry on and personal items are free. The allowance is two bags (one of each). Announcements are made that the overhead bin is for your larger item and your smaller item must go under the seat.

You pack a backpack (personal item sized) only so that you can put your one item up top and leave your under-seat area empty for you feet.

Flight attendant sees a backpack in the overhead and says it needs to go under the seat because it is a smaller item. You feel that a backpack is already taking up less space in the overheard than a 22 inch would so you are using "your space" up top.

Who is right?

I'm torn on this one. I do think a passenger should be able to put a bag into the overhead and leave the under seat free.

BUT, I don't have a problem with the FA ASKING if they can put a smaller bag under the seat to leave more room in the overhead for other's bags. IMO, they should not be rude or insistent,

BUT, if you disobey a FA, you could find yourself kicked off the flight. I don't know if that qualifies as "involuntary denied boarding". @flygirl, any insight?

 

[fly girl]

I have been on flights, and it happened on one Monday, where they were tagging over head bags. They mentioned charging $75 to anyone putting an untagged bag over head. And they were checking.

Delta seems to be the worst for not policing this. I have seen several times their stewardess and stewards putting their bags, and quite a few, overhead up front.

You would think it would be an easy process. But people especially younger people try to stretch the rules. It’s amazing what some people bring on a plane and they mostly get away with it.

Where else are we supposed to put our bags? Many aircrafts do not have closets for us, and the overhead space is where we put our luggage too. We cannot check our bags as we switch multiple aircrafts per day. Granted, crew bags should not be put in first class nor in the first few rows of economy comfort. But we have to stagger where are bags go, because the back overhead bins are full of emergency equipment.

And I am not even going to argue on calling flight attendants steward/stewardess because some people will never change. It never bothered me, but know that some crew members do not like it.

I pretty much exclusively fly Delta, and have repeatedly see them make announcements about "only two items" AND stop people from boarding until they consolidate. Not every flight, but more often than seeing someone go through with 3+ bags.

Of course, someone could consolidate, then separate while going down the jetway or once they get to their seat.

I'm torn on this one. I do think a passenger should be able to put a bag into the overhead and leave the under seat free.

BUT, I don't have a problem with the FA ASKING if they can put a smaller bag under the seat to leave more room in the overhead for other's bags. IMO, they should not be rude or insistent,

BUT, if you disobey a FA, you could find yourself kicked off the flight. I don't know if that qualifies as "involuntary denied boarding". @flygirl, any insight?

I have never forcibly told a passenger they had to move their backpack to accommodate for luggage. I have asked to move it across the aisle in a the game of "Jenga" to make everyone's bags fit, but nowadays they really don't even mess with that.

I don't think I have ever heard of a situation where someone was told they HAD to use the space under the seat unless they had 2 pieces of luggage because the rules technically are one bag for overhead, one bag for under seat. I guess if the passenger became combatant with the request and escalated the situation to a place where the crew felt that person was not going to cooperate they could be kicked off the flight. I would hate to see it get that far over a backpack, but in this day and age I know it is completely possible.

I did run into a situation with an older female passenger at the bulkhead who refused to put her carry on up in overhead for take off (and landing.) I explained this was an FAA rule and it was for safety so the passenger in the window could easily escape in an emergency. She refused, would not believe me, and told me on another airline they let her. (ok, sure lady) So, out the captain came and told her you put it up or you don't fly, that simple! After debating with him, she reluctantly put it up. And I didn't have an issue on landing, but I was ready to go toe to toe with her again.

 

[sam_gordon]

Another example...
https://www.wfaa.com/article/travel...tale/287-3c2b5de3-97ea-420e-a8ff-cef99a1bf080

Man books flights for day of West Coast cruise, allowing a five hour "cushion". Naturally, flights get delayed, and he misses his ship.

Doesn't have trip insurance because he "didn't know this could happen".

Really? Have you been living under a rock for the last couple of years?

We took our first cruise in 2013 and knew to arrive the day before.

 

[china mom]

@fly girl One airline has recently begun announcing that pillows and blankets are now being counted as personal items by the FAA so must be placed into either their carry on or personal item bag and not be carried on in addition to their other two items. Do you know if this is actually an FAA rule or if the gate agents are just saying it is?

 

[sam_gordon]

@fly girl One airline has recently begun announcing that pillows and blankets are now being counted as personal items by the FAA so must be placed into either their carry on or personal item bag and not be carried on in addition to their other two items. Do you know if this is actually an FAA rule or if the gate agents are just saying it is?

Don't know if you read the transportation board, but we discussed this some there. I tried to find a regulation regarding neck pillows and couldn't find one. Here's my post on what I did find...

I've often wondered if there was a federal mandate limiting the amount of carry on bags, and now that I look, I don't think so...

This (from the FAA) makes no mention of a limit (other than one imposed by the airline). https://www.faa.gov/travelers/prepare_fly/baggage#:~:text=The maximum size carry-on,seat in front of you.

This (also from the FAA) specifies the FAR regarding in cabin baggage and also doesn't mention a limit (other than one imposed the by the airline): https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/about/initiatives/cabin_safety/regs/acob211.pdf

Here's the actual FAR: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/121.589

ETA: Yes, the airlines are claiming there's a limit, but from what I read, the FAA approves the "carry on baggage program" submitted by the airline. So if an airline wanted to say "every passenger gets five carry on bags", the FAA would approve it, as long as all bags are properly stowed.