FrontRow
Feb 21, 02, 8:07 pm
My note (below) to the FAA and US Airways Consumer Affairs explains the situation.
My question to the FAA: Is carry-on size now limited by the FAA or still up to the individual airlines?
My questions to you all: Have any of you seen this type of check, other than templates on the belts, recently pop up? What are the policies at the airports you depart from?
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to inquire about the current security procedure now in place at Bradley International Airport, in Windsor Locks, Connecticut (BDL), specifically in Terminal A prior to the actual security screening area. I have flown US Airways for the last 5 years, usually departing from BDL once a week during that time. This past Monday evening, February 18, in addition to the expected (and understood) security check of my boarding pass prior to the security checkpoint, I was also required to fit my carryon bag into one of the "test-bins" of the typical 9" x 14" x 22" size. I was able to do so, but by removing one of my sweaters, which I then wore for my flight. I know that I have never had trouble with fitting my bag into US Airways overhead bins and I never have been questioned by US Airways concerning the size of my bag.
According to the CT National Guardsman, this size-check is now "an FAA security regulation". I checked US Airways' Web site and found the following: (ref: http://www.usairways.com/customers/baggagepolicy.htm)
Carry-On Baggage Limit
Customers are limited to one piece of carry-on baggage plus one personal item beyond the security checkpoint. Medical assistance devices such as crutches, canes, wheelchairs or any other device upon which the customer is dependent are exempt from this requirement. Pets and duty-free items are considered carry-on baggage. Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop computer, diaper bag, camera bag or backpack. Carry-on baggage cannot exceed 40 pounds or exceed the following dimensions: valet -- 4" x 23 ½" x 45"; overhead stowage --10" x 16" x 24"; underseat stowage -- 8" x 16" x 21". All carry-on baggage must be properly stowed in the overhead bin or underneath the seat. The carry-on baggage allowance may be restricted on the day of departure due to lack of space.
*Applies to both Domestic and Transatlantic Flights.
According to the FAA's Web site, (http://www.faa.gov/apa/traveler.htm#Carry):
Carry-On Baggage
Think Small, Think Smart, Think Safe
Check with airline on the maximum size and number of carry-on bags allowed. Or, check out the carry-on bag web site,PDF, www.faa.gov/apa/carryon.htm (http://www.faa.gov/apa/carryon.htm)
During this week's trip, I also departed on flights from Baltimore-Washington (BWI) and Savannah (SAV). There were no such bin-checks at either airport, nor were any visible at Charlotte (CLT).
I'd greatly appreciate it if you could clarify whether this type of check is truly an FAA directed security feature. If the actual carry-on sizes are truly determined by the airlines, then I'd like to pursue fixing this situation at BDL.
Sincerely,
FrontRow
cc: US Airways Consumer Affairs Office by email from their Web page.
My question to the FAA: Is carry-on size now limited by the FAA or still up to the individual airlines?
My questions to you all: Have any of you seen this type of check, other than templates on the belts, recently pop up? What are the policies at the airports you depart from?
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to inquire about the current security procedure now in place at Bradley International Airport, in Windsor Locks, Connecticut (BDL), specifically in Terminal A prior to the actual security screening area. I have flown US Airways for the last 5 years, usually departing from BDL once a week during that time. This past Monday evening, February 18, in addition to the expected (and understood) security check of my boarding pass prior to the security checkpoint, I was also required to fit my carryon bag into one of the "test-bins" of the typical 9" x 14" x 22" size. I was able to do so, but by removing one of my sweaters, which I then wore for my flight. I know that I have never had trouble with fitting my bag into US Airways overhead bins and I never have been questioned by US Airways concerning the size of my bag.
According to the CT National Guardsman, this size-check is now "an FAA security regulation". I checked US Airways' Web site and found the following: (ref: http://www.usairways.com/customers/baggagepolicy.htm)
Carry-On Baggage Limit
Customers are limited to one piece of carry-on baggage plus one personal item beyond the security checkpoint. Medical assistance devices such as crutches, canes, wheelchairs or any other device upon which the customer is dependent are exempt from this requirement. Pets and duty-free items are considered carry-on baggage. Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop computer, diaper bag, camera bag or backpack. Carry-on baggage cannot exceed 40 pounds or exceed the following dimensions: valet -- 4" x 23 ½" x 45"; overhead stowage --10" x 16" x 24"; underseat stowage -- 8" x 16" x 21". All carry-on baggage must be properly stowed in the overhead bin or underneath the seat. The carry-on baggage allowance may be restricted on the day of departure due to lack of space.
*Applies to both Domestic and Transatlantic Flights.
According to the FAA's Web site, (http://www.faa.gov/apa/traveler.htm#Carry):
Carry-On Baggage
Think Small, Think Smart, Think Safe
Check with airline on the maximum size and number of carry-on bags allowed. Or, check out the carry-on bag web site,PDF, www.faa.gov/apa/carryon.htm (http://www.faa.gov/apa/carryon.htm)
During this week's trip, I also departed on flights from Baltimore-Washington (BWI) and Savannah (SAV). There were no such bin-checks at either airport, nor were any visible at Charlotte (CLT).
I'd greatly appreciate it if you could clarify whether this type of check is truly an FAA directed security feature. If the actual carry-on sizes are truly determined by the airlines, then I'd like to pursue fixing this situation at BDL.
Sincerely,
FrontRow
cc: US Airways Consumer Affairs Office by email from their Web page.