Overhead Bin Hogs (inspired by airport seating hogs)

[bavaria]

I disagree. I can have my smaller roll-on (that goes wheels in) out and be down the aisle before most people can have their personal item out from under the seat in front of them.

99% of the time I'm in the first row or two in the aisle seat, and as soon as we are at the gate, I'm out of my seat with my bag down waiting to get off teh plane--before the door is even open. I'm hardly holding anyone up.

The ones who should have to wait are the ones with car seats and kids and all teh stuff that comes along with them. I do'nt care how good you are, you'll hold up traffic dealing with getting off if you've got a kid in a car seat.

Anyone that pre-boards because they need more time needs to wait until others are off the plane to get off. If it takes you more time getting on, it's going to take more time getting off. That's just common sense.

Anne

I'm with Anne on this one. New Year's Eve I FINALLY got out of snowbound southern Colorado and when we landed at my home airport, I was itching to get off the plane. I had only my laptop with me; the person one row ahead stood in the aisle, leisurely putting on his coat, his hat, his gloves one finger at a time, his scarf, then proceeded to take out his three carryons from the overhead. All the while an entire planeload of people were trying to get off the flight. Everyone in the rows in front of him had left but he didn't have the courtesy to dress himself while standing out of the aisle so that others could pass.

(I had a really hard time keeping the words in my brain and not letting them reach my mouth.... then he proceeded to stroll up the gangway and to the escalators, at which point I did lose my patience and pushed past him... )

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I don't see any problem with a passenger stowing a bag sideways in the overhead bin if the bag meets the airlines size limts and won't otherwise fit. The airlines probably need to do a better job enforcing size limits. The limits should fit the size of the overhead compartments and should be enforced.

You are exactly right. Airlines do need to do a better job of enforcing limits. Yes, that may piss off a lot of folks, but it's (un)common courtesy. If I am flying an MD-80 or CRJ for even one leg of my trip I take an 18 inch rollaboard, even if I will be on larger craft for other legs. If I will be on a 737-800 or a 757 or 767 only, I take the 20 inch. If I need a bigger suitcase, I check it!!

Most of the airlines have policies (see below) a bit more generous than I would have them, but as you have experienced, the excessive allowable sizes make for crammed overhead bins. One airline allows for carry-on baggage up to 55 linear inches. That's HUGE. Some allow for 24 inch rollaboards. Again, it will NEVER fit wheels in. Using a bag this size eliminates any other passenger from using the teensy remainder of that overhead bin.

Carry-on Limits by airline:

Air France
carry-on info 1/passenger 22" x 14" x 9" 26.4 lbs.
You may also carry a purse, computer, briefcase, or small tote
Air Trancarry-on info 1/passenger 55 linear inches (L+W+H) -
You may also carry a purse, computer, briefcase, or small tote
Alaska Air/ Horizon
carry-on info 1/passenger 24" x 17" x 10" -
You may also carry a purse, computer, briefcase, or small tote
American Airlines
carry-on info 1/passenger 45 linear inches (L+W+H) 40 lbs.
You may also carry a purse, computer, briefcase, or small tote
America West
carry-on info 1/passenger 51 linear inches (L+W+H) -
You may also carry a purse, computer, briefcase, or small tote
British Airwayscarry-on info 1/passenger 22" x 16" x 8" 26 lbs.
You may also carry a purse, computer, briefcase, or small tote
Continentalcarry-on info 1/passenger 51 linear inches (L+W+H) 40 lbs.
You may also carry a purse, computer, briefcase, or small tote
Deltacarry-on info 1/passenger 22" x 14" x 9" 40 lbs.
You may also carry a purse, computer, briefcase, or small tote
Northwestcarry-on info 1/passenger 22" x 14" x 9" 40 lbs.
You may also carry a purse, computer, briefcase, or small tote
Southwestcarry-on info 1/passenger 24" x 16" x 10" -
You may also carry a purse, computer, briefcase, or small tote
Spiritcarry-on info 1/passenger 22" x 13" x 10" 40 lbs.
You may also carry a purse, computer, briefcase, or small tote
United Airlinescarry-on info 1/passenger 22" x 14" x 9" 40 lbs.
You may also carry a purse, computer, briefcase, or small tote
US Airways
carry-on info 1/passenger 24" x 16" x 10" 40 lbs.
You may also carry a purse, computer, briefcase, or small tote
Virgin Atlantic
carry-on info 1/passenger 22" x 14" x 9" 35 lbs
You may also carry a purse, computer, briefcase, or small tote

And remember, before you jump for joy that your favorite airline allows larger carry-ons, remember that such a rule only allows others to move into your space!

 

[goofy4tink]

I disagree. I can have my smaller roll-on (that goes wheels in) out and be down the aisle before most people can have their personal item out from under the seat in front of them.

99% of the time I'm in the first row or two in the aisle seat, and as soon as we are at the gate, I'm out of my seat with my bag down waiting to get off teh plane--before the door is even open. I'm hardly holding anyone up.

The ones who should have to wait are the ones with car seats and kids and all teh stuff that comes along with them. I do'nt care how good you are, you'll hold up traffic dealing with getting off if you've got a kid in a car seat.

Anyone that pre-boards because they need more time needs to wait until others are off the plane to get off. If it takes you more time getting on, it's going to take more time getting off. That's just common sense.

Anne

Have to agree here. If you have to preboard, then it makes sense that it would take longer to deplane and in turn, hold up others. Why is it okay to not hold them up by preboarding, but fine when deplaning?
And as Anne says, there are those who can get their bag down, from the overhead, and not hold up others. It's mostly those who don't fly very often that are the hold up. Even my 13 y/o dd can get off a plane in a timely fashion. She knows what's going to fit in the overhead and underneath the seat, so she carries what's appropriate as carryon.
I will go as far as to thank those familys I have seen that sit in the rows, and wait for others to pass by. I overheard one mom telling her impatient little ones that they needed to wait, that it would take them too long to get situated so they were going to wait until the faster people passed by. Now, that makes perfect sense to me..not those who gatecheck their strollers and then stop at the entrance to the jetway, as they open the stroller and buckle the kids in....that doesn't make sense to me.

 

[JeanfromBNA]

Raise your hand (with the big, white Mickey glove), if you've ever been hit in the head by someone taking something out of the overhead bins.

I think that boarding, deplaning, and getting through security would go a lot quicker if airlines limited carryons.

 

[TDC Nala]

For what it's worth, and that isn't much, I find it hard to believe that she would disagree with this position!!!
We have all been stuck behind those that 'had' to preboard due to either limitations or young children. Now, we all have to wait while they get their respective stuff together...all the stuff that made it possible for them to preboard, now keeps the rest of us cooling our heels. I know that I have spent huge amounts of time waiting, with my carryon stuff in hand, for those in the front of the plane to get it together.
If you have to preboard, I would think that heading for the rear of the plane is a better idea. Yes, I've said it before, but just for the reasons for preboarding you should have to allow those without any issues get off the plane. Those of us that have nothing to 'get together' shouldn't have to stand waiting for those in front to gather up their kids belongings, car seats, what have you. Perhaps they could sit and wait while the quicker passengers deplane and then they can head out.
There, I've said it...no one else has to

That, and the preboarders take up all the space in the bins at the front of the plane. So, when I get on (last to be boarded because my seat is at the front of the plane and I am in Zone 5) there is noplace near my seat to store the luggage I chose specifically so I wouldn't have to check it. Then I get to go toward the rear of the plane to store the luggage (because as long as there is room on the plane I won't be checking it), and try to get back to my seat amid the passengers who are still boarding.

And, wait until the back of the plane empties out before I can go back there and retrieve the suitcase.

Now, that makes perfect sense to me..not those who gatecheck their strollers and then stop at the entrance to the jetway, as they open the stroller and buckle the kids in....that doesn't make sense to me.

Especially since they have to block the jetway for as long as it takes to open the stroller and buckle the kid in.

 

[DebbieB]

This may be a silly question, but I don't fly very often. What happens if the bins are all full when you get on and you have a regulation size carry-on. Who's luggage gets checked? Mine or the person who put their luggage in my overhead bin?

I don't think I've ever seen an FA pull luggage that is regulation size out of a bin and ask someone to check it and let someone else put theirs up in its place. Usually when the bins are full they stop people boarding and make them gate check.

One time I couldn't believe I saw a guy get on with a huge bag, he could not fit it sideways because of other bags, so he left it half hanging out of the bin and sat down. I was hoping the FA would say it had to be checked but she moved other bags around to other bins so that his could fit sideways. The airlines should crack down on oversize bags, allowing it just makes it worse.

 

[bavaria]

I have a colleague who will tell the FA 'that bag above row 2 belongs to the guy in 25A' etc if a bag won't fit above row 2 (even if it's not her bag). If you ever travel on her flight, make sure that you take your bag back with you - otherwise if the bin is needed by a passenger sitting in row 2, she'll make sure that the FA checks YOUR bag, and not the one belonging to the passenger in row 2.

(She's kind of overhead bin police, I think that we need a few more people like her who are willing to speak up and say something!)

 

[taximomfor4]

<closing eyes and putting envelope to forehead> "The great Karnak foresees an Anne approaching in the distance with a dissenting perspective!"

 

[taximomfor4]

Have to agree here. If you have to preboard, then it makes sense that it would take longer to deplane and in turn, hold up others. Why is it okay to not hold them up by preboarding, but fine when deplaning?
And as Anne says, there are those who can get their bag down, from the overhead, and not hold up others. It's mostly those who don't fly very often that are the hold up. Even my 13 y/o dd can get off a plane in a timely fashion. She knows what's going to fit in the overhead and underneath the seat, so she carries what's appropriate as carryon.
I will go as far as to thank those familys I have seen that sit in the rows, and wait for others to pass by. I overheard one mom telling her impatient little ones that they needed to wait, that it would take them too long to get situated so they were going to wait until the faster people passed by. Now, that makes perfect sense to me..not those who gatecheck their strollers and then stop at the entrance to the jetway, as they open the stroller and buckle the kids in....that doesn't make sense to me.

Hehe, that mom would be ME. Kids were impatient...we had FINALLY arrived in Orlando. But we made 'em wait. We were THE last people off the plane. I was sure the FA was about to drag us out. It was the stupid carseat that I couldn't get unattached.

 

[NotUrsula]

I recently witnessed a really great episode of bin-hog justice. I was sitting in 3A on a fully-loaded Frontier flight out of DEN, and one of the front overheads had a rather large rollaboard in sideways. The FA turned it wheels-in to allow the passenger in that row to put a bag up there, and discovered that the latch would not close over it. She inspected the tag in order to page the passenger, and got this lovely grin on her face. Sure enough, a few minutes later a very chagrined AA pilot (a deadheader) huffed his way up from the rows behind the wing and claimed his bag, hauling it back to his seat.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

That is hilarious... this is what happens when you don't get your own baggage closet!

I recently witnessed a really great episode of bin-hog justice. I was sitting in 3A on a fully-loaded Frontier flight out of DEN, and one of the front overheads had a rather large rollaboard in sideways. The FA turned it wheels-in to allow the passenger in that row to put a bag up there, and discovered that the latch would not close over it. She inspected the tag in order to page the passenger, and got this lovely grin on her face. Sure enough, a few minutes later a very chagrined AA pilot (a deadheader) huffed his way up from the rows behind the wing and claimed his bag, hauling it back to his seat.

 

[bytheblood]

<closing eyes and putting envelope to forehead> "The great Karnak foresees an Anne approaching in the distance with a dissenting perspective!"

Bicker, you KILL me!!

 

[WillCAD]

Have to agree here. If you have to preboard, then it makes sense that it would take longer to deplane and in turn, hold up others. Why is it okay to not hold them up by preboarding, but fine when deplaning?

My personal opinion is that MOST preboarders on SWA only preboard because they want their pick of the seats, unlimited access to the overhead bins, and to be able to board before the crowd gets onto the plane.

For other airlines where seats are assigned, overhead access and boarding without the great unwashed masses are probably the primary reason for pre-boarding.

Having "extra time to get situated" doesn't even enter into most peoples' thinking - if it did, they would sit in the rear of the plane to give themselves extra time when deplaning, as well.

---------------------------------------------

I was on a SWA flight in 2005 that was full, and I couldn't believe the number of rolling cases that were left in the aisle to be gate-checked! It seemed like almost everyone in the C boarding group was forced to gate-check their carry-ons because so many people in the A and B groups had carry-ons that exceeded the regulation size.

Most people took it in stride and were really cool about it, but one crazy woman left her bag in the aisle near the door and went to the back of the plane to make room in the overhead. But by the time she got back to the door, the GA had already sent all the gate checked bags below and was preparing to shut the door - so crazy lady spent a good ten minutes arguing with him and the FA, demanding that her bag be brought back up, because she had made room in the overhead for it.

The lady next to me kept exclaiming, "Just put her off the plane so we can get going!" I was on the verge of suggesting that the GA call security on this woman so we could push back when she finally gave up and went back to her seat in a tremendous huff.

Moral of the story: being inconsiderate by breaking the carry-on size limits can easily provoke other inconsiderate people into inconveniencing YOU. So don't.

 

[bavaria]

For other airlines where seats are assigned, overhead access and boarding without the great unwashed masses are probably the primary reason for pre-boarding.

I am usually one of the first half dozen on board, not for bin space or to avoid the unwashed, but to SIT DOWN and start to doze off. So not all of us 'elites' need to rush on board for those reasons - those of us who commute to work just want to sit and get into our routine. Plus I can stow my bag, grab my pillow and blankie, sit and fasten my seat belt in seconds - I've even been complimented by FAs and other passengers for my speed!

 

[goofy4tink]

My personal opinion is that MOST preboarders on SWA only preboard because they want their pick of the seats, unlimited access to the overhead bins, and to be able to board before the crowd gets onto the plane.

For other airlines where seats are assigned, overhead access and boarding without the great unwashed masses are probably the primary reason for pre-boarding.

Having "extra time to get situated" doesn't even enter into most peoples' thinking - if it did, they would sit in the rear of the plane to give themselves extra time when deplaning, as well.

---------------------------------------------

But, the 'premise' behind preboarding is that those who will need extra time to get situated preboard...those who have special needs (physical challenges), those with infants/young children, medical issues. Of course, the SW seating policy does allow those who are 'borderline' needy to preboard in order to get their choice of seats.

I have been in the third 'grouping' of people to be seated on other airlines...mostly JB. I have to say that it gets really old having to wait behind those who either can't seem to figure out the seating plan in the plane, the ones who have to squish all their belongings into the overhead with little regard as to anyone else's wanting to use the space, or those who stand in the aisle, chatting with those already seated, or trying to get their family settled.
Please, can't people just have the correct sized carryon, put the big piece overhead, your personal item underneath the seat, and sit down and then deal with the family!!! I just want to get back to my seat and start to relax!!!

 

[daisax]

I'd be even more radical -- no hard sided (that includes all wheeled carryons, no matter the size) carryons, period. I don't want to be the person whose neck gets snapped when an 80 lb "carryon" falls on my head. At that point that happens, they'll go to a minimum "pocket book/laptop" policy. But too bad for the poor person who pays the price.

I've had my luggage lost -- I know what a pain it is. But the carryon situation is waaay out of hand, and security and boarding and deplaning would go so smoothly if people would just be limited to a soft backpack or smaller (and I mean the kind that carry a few textbooks to class, or a weekend's worth of stuff, not the kind kids wheel around nowadays, or the type you climb the alps with!)

 

[ducklite]

I'd be even more radical -- no hard sided (that includes all wheeled carryons, no matter the size) carryons, period. I don't want to be the person whose neck gets snapped when an 80 lb "carryon" falls on my head. At that point that happens, they'll go to a minimum "pocket book/laptop" policy. But too bad for the poor person who pays the price.

I've had my luggage lost -- I know what a pain it is. But the carryon situation is waaay out of hand, and security and boarding and deplaning would go so smoothly if people would just be limited to a soft backpack or smaller (and I mean the kind that carry a few textbooks to class, or a weekend's worth of stuff, not the kind kids wheel around nowadays, or the type you climb the alps with!)

When they wil take responsibility for $10K in camera gear and a laptop, I'll check it. Until then, it's staying with me.

And my roll-on isn't 80 pounds. It weighs under two empty, and about 14 packed. (I've weighed it out of curiosity.) I have no problem quickly and safely putting it in and out of the overhead.

Anne

 

[Lewisc]

I don't think anyone was referring to you. I think airlines should check the size and weight of carry on bags. Put a tag on the bag to indicate it was checked. Bags that are too large or too heavy get checked. Airlines that don't have a weight limit should add one. The bins aren't designed to accomodate the weight of some of the bags that wind up going there.

When they wil take responsibility for $10K in camera gear and a laptop, I'll check it. Until then, it's staying with me.

And my roll-on isn't 80 pounds. It weighs under two empty, and about 14 packed. (I've weighed it out of curiosity.) I have no problem quickly and safely putting it in and out of the overhead.

Anne

 

[bavaria]

On United, the only preboarders are wheelchair users, and elite members. Being under 6 years of age or over 65 years of age is not a golden ticket to preboarding (much to the chagrin of the summer tourists at my home airport who come to cruise)

I don't know if there is any relation to the lack of amateur preboarders on United, but I very very rarely have a flight leave the gate late. Usually they leave EARLY......

Hmmmm....

 

[goofy4tink]

When they wil take responsibility for $10K in camera gear and a laptop, I'll check it. Until then, it's staying with me.

And my roll-on isn't 80 pounds. It weighs under two empty, and about 14 packed. (I've weighed it out of curiosity.) I have no problem quickly and safely putting it in and out of the overhead.

Anne

Anne, I would consider myself lucky if you were the traveler ahead of me on the plane!! You realize how to pack and get on and off a plane efficiently. Wish others did as well!!!