Let the Carry-on Battle Begin

[dioxide45]

A video from Good Morning America that I saw on the web.

Link

I think consistency among airlines is a good thing, but don't fault people for wanting to carry on as much as they can to avoid baggage fees.

 

[n2mm]

Thanks. I agree, it's out of control. I wish FA would enforce the rules. I follow them and wish others will, but we fly every other month to WDW and have seen it all, but not just leisure travelers, business travelers too! The abuse is out of control. I wish all airlines would allow at least ONE checked bag for free as that would really help with the problem. But, we all knew this was going to happen, so not surprised! Often we never even use the overhead as we travel with small backpacks and check our bags (Jetblue and SW), but sometimes will have breakables for the flight home and need to carry it on then.

 

[seashoreCM]

The airlines have the right to charge on the spot for and/or gate check carryons in excess of the size, weight, or quantity permitted.

The airlines may not charge to gate check carryons within the size and weight and quantity normally permitted.

I contend that if you are traveling with carryons within the size and weight and quantity normally permitted and some are not fit for checked baggage then the airline is still obligated to provide transportation without collecting additional money even if the reserved flight cannot accommodate you. (The last 3 words describe a situation that is always subjective.)

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

>>> fly every other month to WDW
If I could be so fortunate.

 

[francie57]

We actually saw a few people on our Delta flight have to check their carry-ons because they were way to large. The father/son were able to take their carry-ons on the plane but the wife and 2 daughters all had to check their at the going rate. The woman did nothing but complain the whole trip (we were lucky enough to have the seats in front of her!!!) and yell at the flight attendants. When we got to the airport and went to get the luggage it was amazing to see the size of the carry-ons she wanted to take on the plane. As I said the husband/sons were normal size. Unfortunately the wife and 2 daughters had expanded their carryons to the full size and then they were still overstuffed. Delta allows a bag 9" wide and these bags were almost double that. They were actually wider than my large suitcase. I was glad that Delta enforced the rules and made her check the bags. Although I get the feeling that she will be fighting this to the limits allowed.

 

[Janell]

I wish all airlines had one size for carry on bags and in force it. It would make it simpler. I also wish the airlines would just add one checked bag to the price of the tickets. if they all the airlines did it, then it wouldn't matter. Then people wouldn't feel they need to take everything on board with them.

Also airlines could help themselves a lot if they wouldn't loose luggage, and luggage didn't get damaged or things stolen. My carry on is always things Im afraid of getting stolen and or I will need and can't replace at my destination. If I knew my baggage would be safe and get to the same place I did, then I check all my stuff. I really don't enjoy dealing with carry on.

 

[dburg30]

I wish all airlines had one size for carry on bags and in force it. It would make it simpler. I also wish the airlines would just add one checked bag to the price of the tickets. if they all the airlines did it, then it wouldn't matter. Then people wouldn't feel they need to take everything on board with them.

Also airlines could help themselves a lot if they wouldn't loose luggage, and luggage didn't get damaged or things stolen. My carry on is always things Im afraid of getting stolen and or I will need and can't replace at my destination. If I knew my baggage would be safe and get to the same place I did, then I check all my stuff. I really don't enjoy dealing with carry on.

First part is that people dont want to pay for something they dont use (people that normally travel carry on only, properly, shouldnt have to pay extra on their ticket for a checked bag)

I would bet that the actual amount of lost luggage is VERY small. Misdirected / delayed much higher. Now the stuff getting damaged or more stolen is an issue. You'd think somehow they should be able to curb those types of activities. Again, I dont know how large of a problem stolen items are, but with 'security' you'd think they could someone monitor not only incoming, but outgoing also. I admit my carry on backpack that has my cameras and stuff in it is right at the limits, but it IS within limits. And I really dont want my expensive camera stuff and other electronics to get broken / or a chance of getting stolen, so I do get that part.

 

[Sandi]

On a flight from Las Vegas to Detroit in December, several of us had to gate check our carry on bags because the bins were overflowing with bags, coats, etc. There just wasn't enough room for carry on bags with a full flight. None of us who had to check the bags had oversized bags -- not sure if all those bags already stowed were the correct size. The flight attendants were very helpful in all of this and said it was especially bad in cold weather (which makes sense with heavier coats) and since the airline (Delta) now charges for checked bags.

 

[LuvBug1977]

I could see someone getting injured from things falling out of the bins, but I fail to see how the flight attendants get injured unless directly in the line of falling items. I have flown many times by myself with 2 small children and never once been offered assistance by a flight attendant. Even when asking for assistance, I did not receive any. The man sitting across the aisle assisted me... I guess maybe I use the wrong airline?

 

[Lewisc]

The airlines have the right to charge on the spot for and/or gate check carryons in excess of the size, weight, or quantity permitted.

The airlines may not charge to gate check carryons within the size and weight and quantity normally permitted.

Can you provide a link to the applicable law or regulation? AFAIK airlines have no such requirement and are free to have a first come first served policy with regards to free bin space vs charged gate checked bags.

I wish all airlines had one size for carry on bags and in force it. It would make it simpler. I also wish the airlines would just add one checked bag to the price of the tickets. if they all the airlines did it, then it wouldn't matter. Then people wouldn't feel they need to take everything on board with them.

Also airlines could help themselves a lot if they wouldn't loose luggage, and luggage didn't get damaged or things stolen. My carry on is always things Im afraid of getting stolen and or I will need and can't replace at my destination. If I knew my baggage would be safe and get to the same place I did, then I check all my stuff. I really don't enjoy dealing with carry on.

Not everyone checks a bag. Airlines found passengers were more willing to pay to check bags then an equivalent increase in the fare. Some airlines may have larger bins or may wish to allow larger carry on bags as a competitive advantage.

According to reviewer some of the cheap luggage sold in places like Walmart won't even last one flight. It's not always the airlines fault.

I could see someone getting injured from things falling out of the bins, but I fail to see how the flight attendants get injured unless directly in the line of falling items. I have flown many times by myself with 2 small children and never once been offered assistance by a flight attendant. Even when asking for assistance, I did not receive any. The man sitting across the aisle assisted me... I guess maybe I use the wrong airline?

It's rude to ask for assistance from either a fellow passenger or from a FA. Passengers who can't handle their carryon bags should be paying to check the bag.

 

[DebbieB]

Something really needs to be done. It's crazy some of the large bags people bring on and then try to stuff into the overheads. They need to come up with a consistent measurement and enforce it.

 

[pixeegrl]

It's rude to ask for assistance from either a fellow passenger or from a FA. Passengers who can't handle their carryon bags should be paying to check the bag.

I believe the poster said she was travelling with two small children and I would not find it the least bit rude to have been asked for help. Also aren't they called flight "attendants" for a reason to help attend to passengers? I would find it more rude to tell them "no do it yourself."

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I believe the poster said she was travelling with two small children and I would not find it the least bit rude to have been asked for help. Also aren't they called flight "attendants" for a reason to help attend to passengers? I would find it more rude to tell them "no do it yourself."

Flight attendant's are not required to help lift a person's bag into the storage compartments.

 

[DebbieB]

Flight Attendents should not have to risk injury by lifting large bags, baggage handling isn't their job. I agree if you can't lift it, you should check it.

 

[Lewisc]

I believe the poster said she was travelling with two small children and I would not find it the least bit rude to have been asked for help. Also aren't they called flight "attendants" for a reason to help attend to passengers? I would find it more rude to tell them "no do it yourself."

You are mistaken. Because the poster was traveling with two small chidlren she should have checked the bag.

 

[vicki_c]

It's rude to ask for assistance from either a fellow passenger or from a FA. Passengers who can't handle their carryon bags should be paying to check the bag.

Umm ... what about people - like me (4'10") - who can't actually reach the overhead bin? I guess short people aren't allowed to have carry-ons then? I always have to rely on the kindness of someone near me to help with my bag in the overhead bin because I can barely reach it. I can't even get my jacket in/out of the overhead bin without help most of the time. I don't agree that that means I don't have the right to carry on something that might need to go in the overhead bin.

 

[Lewisc]

vicki--The overhead bins are "self-service". You can check bags and you can put a bag under the seat in front of you. You are 100% responsible to get the bag in and out of the bin.

Chances are another passenger will offer assisance but make sure the bag is packed light. It's not reasonable to expect another passenger to lift a 40 lb bag. In other words it's OK to ask for help with your coat or a bag that contains items that shouldn't be checked such as camera and medicine. It's not OK to take a heavy carryon bag (instead of checking it) if you're unable or unwilling to place it in the bin before your flight takes off and remove it from the bin after you land.

FAs no longer want to risk injury lifting heavy bags. Their solution may be to gate check the bag. No guarantee it will be for free.

 

[cm8]

This all just sucks, People will find a way to save THEM the most dollars and it does not matter if THEY inconvenience YOU as long as THEY got what they needed in!

 

[pixeegrl]

Double post sorry

 

[pixeegrl]

vicki--The overhead bins are "self-service". You can check bags and you can put a bag under the seat in front of you. You are 100% responsible to get the bag in and out of the bin.

Chances are another passenger will offer assisance but make sure the bag is packed light. It's not reasonable to expect another passenger to lift a 40 lb bag. In other words it's OK to ask for help with your coat or a bag that contains items that shouldn't be checked such as camera and medicine. It's not OK to take a heavy carryon bag (instead of checking it) if you're unable or unwilling to place it in the bin before your flight takes off and remove it from the bin after you land.

FAs no longer want to risk injury lifting heavy bags. Their solution may be to gate check the bag. No guarantee it will be for free.

I don't disagree I was just saying I in know way find it "rude" as you stated.

You are mistaken. Because the poster was traveling with two small chidlren she should have checked the bag.

Sometimes you have to juggle a car seat, diaper bag and what ever other necessities may be required on a plane with children and can't check them in.

Umm ... what about people - like me (4'10") - who can't actually reach the overhead bin? I guess short people aren't allowed to have carry-ons then? I always have to rely on the kindness of someone near me to help with my bag in the overhead bin because I can barely reach it. I can't even get my jacket in/out of the overhead bin without help most of the time. I don't agree that that means I don't have the right to carry on something that might need to go in the overhead bin.

Umm ... what about people - like me (4'10") - who can't actually reach the overhead bin? I guess short people aren't allowed to have carry-ons then? I always have to rely on the kindness of someone near me to help with my bag in the overhead bin because I can barely reach it. I can't even get my jacket in/out of the overhead bin without help most of the time. I don't agree that that means I don't have the right to carry on something that might need to go in the overhead bin.

Yeah, I am the same height and have found myself standing on the chairs to put stuff up there on occasion lol. Often times I have been offered help by another passenger when not travelling with my husband. Most times I put my bag under the seat in fron of me so as to have a foot rest.

 

[Tara]

That whole piece seemed...whiny, I guess. The union is asking Congress to create a standard? Give me a break! Each airline has regulations and if they just enforced them, it wouldn't be a challenge. So who is going to enforce this unified rule of carry-on bag size?

I had to laugh at the tone of the reporter and her words overlaid with the actual video footage. She says, "This could become the new issue..." as they show a woman trying to put what looks like a lightweight jacket into an already full bin. Oh, the humanity.

I'm also very curious about this claim that 80% of attendants have been injured due to carry-on baggage. That seems awfully high to me.

(Yes, I think carry-on baggage is out of control at times, but this hardly seems like the best course of action.)