Let the Carry-on Battle Begin

[aubriee]

This is correct. So, Vicki, I'm afraid that unless you also bring on a step stool, you should bring something that will fit under the seat worst case. Naturally, the chances that some other passenger will help you with a properly sized/packed bag are high. But it's definitely not part of an FA's job to do so.

Properly packed being the key word here. I've never had a problem helping anyone with their bags, until this past Oct. As I got to my seat and started to lift my bag into the overhead bin, there was an elderly lady right next to me that was already there, looking around for somebody to help her lift her rolling bag into the same bin. Without even thinking, I volunteered, but when I started to lift it, I couldn't. It was a normal size carry on (maybe 22'), but weighed well over 50 lbs. It felt like she had heavy metal weights in that bag. Honestly my first thought was that I was meeting Mrs Duds from here on the DIS and she had her husbands bowling balls in that soft sided bag. No way could I lift that bag over my head. When I told her I couldn't, she glared at me and then said "nevermind I'll have the stewardess do it. It's their job afterall". She then proceeded to call out "Stewardess, I need some help here please". Considering our flight attendant was a male, I don't think he appreciated being called a stewardess, so she was starting out on his bad side anyway. He did try to lift the bag, but then told her it was way too heavy for the overhead bin and would need to be gate checked. She got very angry and started fussing at him that the bag was legal size and would fit. He told her that yes, it would, but not without falling on top of one of our heads and causing some serious damage, because of how heavy it was. I don't know what she had in that bag, but it was alot heavier than my checked bag that had weighed in at 41 lbs and there she was expecting someone to lift it over their heads into an overhead bin for her.

 

[Hoopfamily]

I think people are getting crazy with carryons. I was on a cross country flight last month, and people were being told on the plane they would have to deplane and gate check stuff because so many others had carried on the bins were full. What really gets me is when people use the personal item as a full size carryon.

 

[5boyz]

I havent really noticed it too much as dont fly often. But cant blame people for trying, when they are charging for baggage. People need clothes when they are away for a while. They are on vacation and dont want to have to do laundry especially if not one convenient. I still fly SW as good prices (well not right now) and no baggage. When I have to start paying for baggage for 4 ea way not sure what I will do... LOL

 

[m_kasch]

When I fly, especially for work, I always have a small roller bag and my laptop bag, which fits under the seat. I usually pay for the early bird check in or make sure to check in super early (always fly southwest) so that I make sure to have plenty of space for my bag.

It always amazes me the "carry-ons" that some people bring -- they are bigger than the bags that I check!! I understand that it stinks to pay for checked bags -- but on Southwest, you don't even HAVE to pay for the first 2 checked bags, and there is STILL carry on abuse...so i'm not sure it's all about paying for the checked bags. I think people just don't want to wait for their bags or something. One flight that my DH and I were on, was super full and running late. It was actually on Air Tran, who does charge for checked bags. They started gate checking peoples carryons to speed up the process because it was getting late...and there were several people who's bags would have had to have been checked anyway because they were huge, who got to gate check them for free...it always irritates me when people get away with breaking the rules!!