ndf321

Didn't mean to jump you, Backpacker. I absolutley agree that if everyone used some common courtesy and common sense (qualities that are not so common, it seems), things would go a lot more smoothly for everyone. Unfortunatly, everyone feels that it is their right to always be first.

I think that people seated in the rear who load their carryons toward the front are trying some misguided strategy to get off the plane faster.

And as for higher-fare business travelers making economy fares possible, you are right, but you are also just jealous that I am on vacation and you are working!

rkkwan

If one flies on business a lot, like wealthy_backpacker does, then he should have some "elite/premium" status with the airlines. Basically all airlines let their elite/premium members get on the plane first, regardless of class flown. So, as long as you don't get to the gate at the last minute after the "steerage" has boarded, I don't see how other people's carry-on can take up all the space already.

JamesA

We all know full well that Security have to check all carry on, how can a security person hand check these huge amounts of baggage? Impossible! When someone is in front with 2 or 3 large carry-ons it is just a headache for security. That surely is the biggest reason for not carrying anything more than the minimum it is necessary to take on board with you. I am amazed that no one is considoring that or do they not hand check your carry-on, through Thailand they hand check 'every item', same in most airports I have been through recently, from Singapore they check a great number and on many flights every single item, doesn't this delay you getting on your flights? As a passenger I considor it a 'duty' to make it as easy as possible for the security people to do their job.

cynic

People with "huge" amounts of carryons are inconsiderate and in violation of airline policies. These policies should be enforced more thoroughly. But most people I have seen at security have the one bag plus one personal item as allowed. They get thrown on the conveyor and they go through the x-ray machine just fine. I don't see a problem there. The people holding up the line at security are the people who don't have their id/boarding pass ready, people who refuse to take off their shoes and have to be wanded, people who carry change and crap in their pockets and aren't ready to go through the screening etc. If all you are worried about is the speed and ease of the security personnel, maybe all laptops should have to be checked because they have to be checked more thoroughly than nonelectronic items. I'm sure security would rather have a leisure traveler with three bags of easily scannable clothes than a businessman with tons of electronic devices. This is just silly.

RufusTFirefly

Jerks always have excuses for being rude hogs. Everyone else has to suffer because they can't be inconvenienced for a few minutes.

Stephanie

I really don't see a problem with a pilot case w/wheels when you travel in bigger aircraft. I'd suggest taking bigger planes which have bigger overhead compartments. I have noticed MD80s are terrible with space. My only pet peeve is the time at which the traveler takes to put the friggin carry-on up in the bin (lift some minor weights before you travel so you can lift something with weight).

rjw_lgb_ca

If the carry-on rules are enforced, there shouldn't be problems. American has put deeper overhead bins in some equipment in their fleet (specifically, MD-80s) that can take the wheeled carry-on rated overnighters wheels-first-- a great space saving feature. If those go up overhead QUICKLY, then the second carry-on item gets stowed neatly under the seat in front, passengers can get themselves into their seats quicker.

If the rules aren't enforced, people take advantage of the lawlessness.

kkj

Sorry, despite what some have said, my opinions of bin hogs haven't changed. By the way, I never said don't bring a carry-on, it's just that people need to use some discretion. You don't need to take everything you own with you on board. You don't need to use the bins that are in the front of the plane, just because it is a pain to lug all your crap back to where your seats are.

The overhead bins are just a certain size. How much weight do you think they can take? It's not just size, it's also the weight of what you brought.

And how about the people who hit people with their carryon's. Heavy, bulky bags aren't easy to remove from the bins. I know motorcoach tour operators have had lawsuits from passenges who were hit by someone else's carry-on and people don't even carry that much on the tours. I imagine that the airlines have had numerous suits.

Traveling is a frustrating experience. You have to fight to get to the airport, park, check in, board the plane and everything you do has waits involved. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a way to avoid all the waits, so until that magical time how about a little consideration for your fellow travelers? Just remember that people traveled from Europe to Ellis Island to start a new life with a fraction of the stuff that people take on an airplane.

BTilke

I was just in the Samsonite store here in Brussels and they were heavily marketing their luggage with *big* wheels, even for carryon, not the small wheels that are on my wheelie carryon.
Have things changed regarding VAT refunds on flights back to the U.S.? I'm not eligible since I live in Europe, but I know our friends hated that for their VAT refund, they have to show everything they bought AFTER they checked in...which meant a lot more stuff in carryon. They would have been perfectly happy to put most of it in their checked luggage if they could have gone through the VAT refund process before checking in (at Frankfurt airport, anyway).
I agree, fresh thinking is needed!! Maybe all airline executives should be forced to spend a month flying around the U.S. and then the world in economy with no special privileges (no lounge access, etc.).

PJKeay

Reason - incompetent baggage handling.

Heathrow publish some statistics that claims luggage will appear within about 20 minutes of landing. What happens is at about 19 minutes after landing about 8 pieces of luggage appear - target met - tick box. Rest of the luggage comes out after about 30 minutes later!.

A few years back I was flying back home to England from Singapore - The flight was travelling via Bombay. Plane lands at Manchester, and as I have an English passport I'm through immigration and into the baggage hall within 15 minutes. Then for the next 20 minutes the entire luggage belt is jammed with luggage from Bombay, none of which is being collected because their owners are all stuck in immigration. The belt (tiny) grinds to a halt - full with luggage - none of which is being collected. 90 minutes later my luggage finally appears.

That's my main reason for avoiding checked in luggage on short trips.

J_Correa

On outbound trips, I carry on my luggage if I can - I pack as light as possible so I don't have to check bags. I don't want to risk my bag not ending up at my destination, esspecially when I travel for work.

I bring a rolling carryon bag which is within the airline guidelines and fits wheels first into the overhead and I bring a breicase type bag with my laptop and personal items. My carry on items are within the airline baggage allowance so if anybody's got a problem with it, they should take it up with the airlines and not with me.

SamH

J Correa I don't think many posters have a problem with travelers who follow the guidelines. It's just that many do try to push the limits and the airline personnel are hesitant to enforce their own rules. That makes it harder for the guy who is going by the rules.

indie

For all those folks worried about theft from checked in baggage - you can lock it - but it means that you have to unlock you bags, wait a few minutes while your checked in baggage is run through security checks and then they allow you to lock it again.

That's been my experience at DFW on last two or three international trips. Do some airports not allow this?

J_Correa

Sam - My post was in direct response to the poster who had a problem with anybody bringing a carryon with wheels on board a plane.

ChristieP

Go to Brookstone and buy the new Travel Sentry luggage locks. They have a combination that you set, and a key that TSA can use to open them if they need to inspect your suitcase. I've flown with these new locks 3 times already (through DFW, DAL, IAH and MDW) and I now swear by them! If the locks do get cut off, Brookstone will replace them for free.

I'd much rather check my small suitcase instead of heaving it into the overhead bin (nad aggravating my badback), or sacrificing all of my previous little legroom. It only takes a few more minutes to check a bag, and for me, it's worth it.

wealthy_backpacker

If you regularly fly on business day trips to Europe (and within the US) you will know that businessmen often end up getting to the airport (and thus to the gate) at the last minute. At least I and everyone at my company do!

ilovetotravel29

Yes, it is really necessary. Many people carry essential items in their carryon---such as medicine, travel info, etc. that they do not want to risk getting lost upon their arrival if they checked the baggage.

I think carryon is almost necessary givem that luggage can be lost or delayed.

lynnejoel1015

whoo! people got heated in this discussion!

i got hit on the head by someone's clumsy handling of their big carry-on once. her luggage piece (w/ wheels) just came right down on me! fortunately for me i wasn't hurt and fortunately for her i was polite about it.

i do kind of agree that there should be some kind of reward for those that don't bring carry on luggage on the plane- like they should be able to be seated first or something. it's a drag to be the person who doesn't add to the chaos of deboarding and have to wait.

i think they should also deboard aisle passengers first then middle then window, or at least come up with a more orderly way of doing it!

lynne

lynnejoel1015

oh yeah, ps, rkkwan said:

You guys don't need to worry too much longer. More and more flights are done in RJs, carry-ons will no longer be an issue! Gate check rules.

<b>what's an RJ?</b>

rkkwan

RJ = Regional Jet. Usually mean the Canadian Regional Jet (CRJ-100/200/700) and Embraer Regional Jet (ERJ-135/140/145); but also Avro Regional Jet (RJ-70/85/100), the Fairchild Dornier 328/428JET.

Embraer now has the larger 170/190 series, that sit up to 100 people, and is too large to be considered a RJ.