stupid carry-on question

[bostonlass]

I haven't flown in a while so this may be a silly question but....

Our carry-on luggage is the right size according to our airlines and all that. I've decided only to bring carry on luggage so there will be three bags, one for me and one each for my two daughters.

Will each of these bags fit under the seat in front of us or do we have to put them in the overhead compartments? I really would like to be able to just keep them in front of us since I'm not strong or tall.

Thanks!

 

[Eeyore1954]

If they fit under you seat and do not obstruct your way from the seat to the aisle, you should have no problem. Flight attendants check this as they prepare for takeoff. Usually they don't seem to mind unless you are in an exit row -- then nothing can stick out, even just a little. In other rows, unless the luggage is sticking out noticeably, they probably won't say anything.

 

[msr709]

If they fit under the seat, by all means put them there. I also am kind of short and like to put the carryon in front of me but I found that on the trip to Disneyland (a 6 hour trip) it wasn't very comfortable to have the carryon in front of me because I couldn't stretch out my legs. Keep that in mind. Also, there is always some kind soul that would help if they saw you struggling, at least its been my experience, either that or they want you to get out of the way already! LOL! Hope this helps you. Have a great trip!

 

[ktglads]

You could just gate-check the bags as well and have them off the plane very quickly, still get your legroom, and not have to use the overhead bins.

Losing that little bit of leg room is very uncomfortable. Due to the tiny overheads in upper part of the plane, I had to lose that for my 18 hour trip to Johannesberg. Not something I would like to try again. I didn't use the stuff and my luggage arrived fine. I should have totally just checked it.

 

[BillPA]

There is always someone that will help you get the bags in the overhead. If none of the passengers will help, then the crew will.

The wheeled carry-ons will have a difficult time fitting under the seats, you might need to put them overhead.

 

[CarolA]

If none of the passengers will help, then the crew will.

Don't count on it. I see the crew helping less and less with this and to be honest I don't blame them. They are not required to help you.

The airlines actually don't want them helping you , it just leads to more workmans compensation cases.

Here is my theory if YOU cannot lift your luggage into the overhead, it needs to go under the plane.

I am NOT a rude person, but I will NOT help you toss you weights overhead. I can get mine up there (although on widebodies I do have to stand on the seat!). No one else wants to risk back trouble to help you and I think it is rude to assume that other passengers are willing to lift your luggage into the overhead. While your luggage may not weigh that much neither the flight attendant or the other passengers know that.

The bottom line is that if YOU carry it on, it is your responsiblity not anyone elses.

Sorry this sounds harsh, but I travel a lot and the only reason most people get any help is that they are holding the whole process up and I hear a LOT of not so nice things being said about this whole mess.

 

[bostonlass]

Well I can't reach the overhead compartment but I am going to still bring it on the plane. I don't want to check my luggage since I have a connecting flight and get agida when I think of our luggage getting lost. I don't think it's fair to say that only the people who are physically able to put stuff in the overhead compartment can use it. That discriminates against us short people.

On the other hand....I'm sure there will be some fine young and perhaps even handsome gentleman who would be more than happy to help out a single mom with two little ones on their way to see da mouse.

 

[seashoreCM]

Sometimes you can't predict whether baggage will fit under the seat because of the position of the seat legs or struts or electrical equipment under there.

If you proffer the handle you are more likely to get someone to help you with your luggage.

Nobody is saying that short people are not allowed to use the overhead bins, just that people don't want to strain their backs or get their hands dirty holding onto the bottom of someone else's suitcase.

Carry on baggage is a sensitive issue with lots of passengers, especially business travelers. They have the mentality that the fewer people competing for space in the overhead bins, the less likely they won't have room for their own baggage.

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

 

[DemoBri1]

Originally posted by CarolA
Don't count on it. I see the crew helping less and less with this and to be honest I don't blame them. They are not required to help you.

The airlines actually don't want them helping you , it just leads to more workmans compensation cases.

Here is my theory if YOU cannot lift your luggage into the overhead, it needs to go under the plane.

I am NOT a rude person, but I will NOT help you toss you weights overhead. I can get mine up there (although on widebodies I do have to stand on the seat!). No one else wants to risk back trouble to help you and I think it is rude to assume that other passengers are willing to lift your luggage into the overhead. While your luggage may not weigh that much neither the flight attendant or the other passengers know that.

The bottom line is that if YOU carry it on, it is your responsiblity not anyone elses.

Sorry this sounds harsh, but I travel a lot and the only reason most people get any help is that they are holding the whole process up and I hear a LOT of not so nice things being said about this whole mess.

I would have to disagree with this diatride, with the exception of the last paragraph. I do hear some not so nice things being said about people who are having trouble getting settled, but usually they are people with small children. You need to cut these people some slack.

I cannot believe that someone wouldn't help you out with your bag, especially if you have two small children with you. On my most recent flights I have seen flight crew members helping people get their bags situated in the overheads.

Carol...you need to lighten up a bit. There may be a time where you're going to need someone's help. Would you want everyone to have this attitude in your time of need??

Brian

 

[CarolA]

I am going to stand by my statement.

If you cannot get your luggage overhead then DON'T bring it on.

I am NOT tall, I am not athletic and I get mine up there so I know it can be done. I see women shorter and smaller then me getting it up there too, size is not an excuse. I traveled with a woman who was 4'6" and she could get her luggaage up there. (She was small enough to get in there herself!) As I said, I will slip off my shoes, and climb up on my seat to get it in the overhead. I have never asked for help.

And I hear LOTS of things being said. I board early since I am a frequent flyer. While I am sitting in my seat others are loading the plane lots of times and I have heard some wonderful statements.

I won't help people anymore. I once got whacked in the head by a piece of luggage that must have been loaded with lead because a woman asked me to help her with it. I could not control it either because it weighed to much. It hit me and the person standing beside me who cussed me out. The woman never apologized to either of us nor did she thank me. I have a coworker who threw his back out on someone else's luggage and was in bed for a week. The risk is just too high. It's not that we are MEAN, it's just that we are scared of being injured. There is a difference.

I think if you were to meet me you would find me a nice person, most people like me. While I would like to think you are going to find someone to help you with your luggage, go watch that TV show Airline discussed on this board. The majority of travelers today get to the airport and get RUDE. I don't know why people leave their manners at the skycap, but they do and it is every man/woman and child for themselves on 90% of the flights I fly on. Just today we had a mother who wanted a whole row for her and her child. She sat in the aisle, put child in the window and PILED her stuff in the middle. There were a few problems with this. She and child had the aisle and middle seat. The plane was full. She got downright huffy when the Flight Attendant made her move to her assigned seats and put her stuff under the seat. She then made snide comments about the Flight Attendant to her child for the entire flight. Charming isn't it?

 

[Harambe]

Bostonlass - you and your daughters are allowed the carry-ons and one small bag each - so remember to bring a small backpack,or tote with all your daughters books, games, whatever and you can slip that under the seat. Then you won't have to fish stuff out mid-flight from the overhead bins. I always double check with my kids (we only do the carry-ons) before we board that they have whatever they want in their small "under the seat" bag.

Have a good flight - and I hope that handsome guy shows up to toss your luggage up there!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by CarolA
Don't count on it. I see the crew helping less and less with this and to be honest I don't blame them. They are not required to help you.

The airlines actually don't want them helping you , it just leads to more workmans compensation cases.

Here is my theory if YOU cannot lift your luggage into the overhead, it needs to go under the plane.

I am NOT a rude person, but I will NOT help you toss you weights overhead. I can get mine up there (although on widebodies I do have to stand on the seat!). No one else wants to risk back trouble to help you and I think it is rude to assume that other passengers are willing to lift your luggage into the overhead. While your luggage may not weigh that much neither the flight attendant or the other passengers know that.

The bottom line is that if YOU carry it on, it is your responsiblity not anyone elses.

Sorry this sounds harsh, but I travel a lot and the only reason most people get any help is that they are holding the whole process up and I hear a LOT of not so nice things being said about this whole mess.

I don't blame them either and I will not do it for someone else and I have asked Dee not to do it either. If you can't manage it, check it.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by bostonlass
Well I can't reach the overhead compartment but I am going to still bring it on the plane. I don't want to check my luggage since I have a connecting flight and get agida when I think of our luggage getting lost. I don't think it's fair to say that only the people who are physically able to put stuff in the overhead compartment can use it. That discriminates against us short people.

On the other hand....I'm sure there will be some fine young and perhaps even handsome gentleman who would be more than happy to help out a single mom with two little ones on their way to see da mouse.

In all my times with connecting flights I have YET to have my bags lost. That would be the least of my worries. MCO is a huge airport, and it is a long walk from the gate to the monorail thingies and a long walk from there to the outside. Much easier to check the bags, walk through the airport with small carry ons and to baggage claim where your bags are there almost as soon as you get there.

 

[safetymom]

I am another in the if you can't handle it check it group. I travel a great deal and see many inconsiderate people trying to get their stuff in the overhead bin and can't. You are wasting everyones time but that never seems to enter their minds.

I also have had stuff from the overhead bins dropped on my head and shoulders. In all the flights I have taken I have had luggage misplaced twice.

It is not discrimination. It is the facts that there is a baggage compartment for your suitcase.

 

[siobhan1997]

Wow, am I crazy to assume that all flight attendants on all airlines shall take your checked bags from you and place them in the overhead bins. I guess the JetBlue people are the only ones who will do this!! What a common courtesy, Go JetBlue !!! Personal service prevails with you once again!!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by siobhan1997
Wow, am I crazy to assume that all flight attendants on all airlines shall take your checked bags from you and place them in the overhead bins. I guess the JetBlue people are the only ones who will do this!! What a common courtesy, Go JetBlue !!! Personal service prevails with you once again!!!

A flight attendant would never see a checked bag, those go in the cargo hold.
Many airlines have stopped allowing their flight attendants to assist in hefting carryons. Workman's comp. claims are on the increase.
What you will see with this customer service is increased fares because of workman's comp. claims. Like I said, if you cannot heft it, check it.

 

[Eeyore1954]

I totally agree with Gail and CarolA -- if you can't lift it and can't reach the overhead bins, check it. Don't travel with the expectation that someone else should risk their health and safety for your convenience. Like Safetymom, I'm one of those who gets held up either boarding or leaving the plane by people struggling to get some overstuffed or overweight luggage into/out of the overhead.

I suppose, though, I could look on the bright side. With so many people insisting that they carry their luggage on the plane, checked baggage seems to arrive faster than ever!

 

[ducklite]

I'm with Gail, Safetymom and Carol on this one. If you can't manage it entirely on your own, check it. It's not the responsibility of the crew or other passengers to assist you with your carry on's. Some crew contracts say they do not have to and even CAN NOT assist. I will not assist anyone, I'm not going to risk injuring myself or having someone complain about how I handle their stuff.

I don't understand the "entitlement" mentality. I traveled solo with my son when he was young. I went out of my way to not be a burden on anyone. We were the last to board, and last off so as to not block anyone while settling in or collecting ourselves to get off. We also managed our bags without assistance.

If I can't manage my bag, I check it. End of story. I don't expect someone to come along and assist me, it's simply no one's responsibility but mine.

As has been suggested, GATE check your bag. It will be brought back to the gate area after the plane lands for you to claim, then you proceed to your connection where you gate check again.

That is by far the fairest and most reasonable solution.

Anne

 

[tjmw2727]

I fly solo with my two daughters often. My rule of thumb is only bring what we can manage ourselves. I won't rely on someone else to get me through the logistics of the trip. I pack one large and one medium suitcase that are checked and we bring one rolling backpack with some essentials and things for the flight. I take the large suitcase, my 9yo takes the medium and my 7yo takes the carryon. Once the two suitcases are checked through to the destination then I take the carryon and it fits under the seat.

I can't imagine the stress of going through security, using the restrooms, getting a snack etc with all three of us dragging a suitcase!

The more you plan to carry on-board the larger the chances are that you will be pulled aside at security for closer screening. There are things that I pack in my checked luggage that are not allowed to be carried on. How will you manage these things?

Its often such a frenzy boarding that I don't want to hold up the line while I hoisted three suitcases into the overhead - hoping I could do it or hoping for someone to help me. The same situiation arises when you arrive - waiting for help to retreive your things. In your case, with a connection you have to do this all over again, as well as drag your luggage from one gate to the next.

The chances of our luggage getting lost are so light that I would rather check our things through and have a less stressful flight.

Perhaps you could check at least one bag through and lessen your load somewhat while making sure you had enough for one day should something happen. The one time my luggage was delayed it was delivered in-tact to the hotel early the next morning.

TJ

 

[McCall]

THe rule is One carry on that meets the size requirements and one personal item and you are to use the underseat space FIRST and only then use the overhead.