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Apparently this is all the rage in terms of topics to report on for travel. I was just interviewed for a story that is supposed to be published on cnn.com later today or tomorrow. It is most certainly a problem. I do find it interesting that one of my thoughts was echoed in this article - the rules are enforced pretty rigidly in Europe and most everyone complies. Yet here it just doesn't happen. Riddle me that one.
Apparently this is all the rage in terms of topics to report on for travel.
Great unintentional choice of phrase...it's "all the rage" because it's causing ALL THE RAGE.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sbm12
I do find it interesting that one of my thoughts was echoed in this article - the rules are enforced pretty rigidly in Europe and most everyone complies. Yet here it just doesn't happen. Riddle me that one.
(1) American "entitlement mentality" ("me, me, me..."). (2) Not being pushed hard enough to the front-line employees by airline upper mgmt.
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I felt it was a pretty superficial article... but it is right on.
For me, the issue is that I have lost confidence that the airline can ensure that my bag arrives with me. I honestly cannot remember the last time I checked a bag... it has probably been at least 3 years when I took an extended overseas trip.
Until the airlines choose to enforce their own rules, this will not change.
It is honestly one of the reasons I work to keep status on United, the early boarding.
Apparently this is all the rage in terms of topics to report on for travel. I was just interviewed for a story that is supposed to be published on cnn.com later today or tomorrow. It is most certainly a problem. I do find it interesting that one of my thoughts was echoed in this article - the rules are enforced pretty rigidly in Europe and most everyone complies. Yet here it just doesn't happen. Riddle me that one.
Unlike in the US, the major legacy carriers in Europe allow for one free checked bag on domestic flights too.
What I would like to know is if the major legacy carriers in Europe are better or worse with checked baggage handling than the major legacy carriers in the US.
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Unlike in the US, the major legacy carriers in Europe allow for one free checked bag on domestic flights too.
What I would like to know is if the major legacy carriers in Europe are better or worse with checked baggage handling than the major legacy carriers in the US.
Exactly. If we're going to make comparisons ('Europe enforces carry-on rules and everyone just falls in line'), we need to make an accurate comparison. Certainly some of the carry-on issues here in the US date from when the airlines started charging for checked bags.
I, too, would like to know about checked baggage handling in Europe. The long waits, unreliable delivery, theft here in the US - these are reasons I try to avoid checked luggage. Most of the time I'm flying as an elite, so the baggage charge wouldn't apply to me. It's the baggage handling issues that cause me to haul my roll-aboard (19"!) through the airport when I'd much rather check it.
And let's not forget the whole problem with the sizers...a standard gym duffle that falls well within a legacy carrier's overall size limitations and that will fit in more overheads than most 'legal' roll-aboards will not necessarily fit in the sizers.
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One rule that needs to be enforced:
keeping baggage in the same class of service as the passenger.
I am fed up with economy passengers who stow their bags in the first class bins on flights.
I have boarded with the herd only to find no space at all for my small carry on bag. Especially on AA the FA's stand there like nothing is happening. You know who has stowed what when the flight has landed and people haul down their bags.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wharvey
I felt it was a pretty superficial article... but it is right on.
For me, the issue is that I have lost confidence that the airline can ensure that my bag arrives with me. I honestly cannot remember the last time I checked a bag... it has probably been at least 3 years when I took an extended overseas trip.
Until the airlines choose to enforce their own rules, this will not change.
It is honestly one of the reasons I work to keep status on United, the early boarding.
the article is right on and fwiw, on my 5 ua flights 10/19-20*, the g/a's were proactively asking pax in seating zone 4 to check their bags (free of charge) as where the flights were full, they probably would not have enough overhead room. in addition, the f/c f/a's were vigorously watching to see if any economy pax were "dropping off" their bags in the f/c o/h bins and (sadly) they were running around like chickens without their heads trying to find enough o/h space for those pax that had already boarded. they did a very good job but i feel for them in a big way
*yes, it was a m/r
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the article is right on and fwiw, on my 5 ua flights 10/19-20*, the g/a's were proactively asking pax in seating zone 4 to check their bags (free of charge) as where the flights were full, they probably would not have enough overhead room. in addition, the f/c f/a's were vigorously watching to see if any economy pax were "dropping off" their bags in the f/c o/h bins and (sadly) they were running around like chickens without their heads trying to find enough o/h space for those pax that had already boarded. they did a very good job but i feel for them in a big way
*yes, it was a m/r
Thank you. Someone gets it. Seriously, count the number of overheads the next time you board a flight. On an aircraft of 126 passengers, you're lucky if there is 15 overheads on each side. The regulation allows one carry-on and a personal item. Because Roll-aboards are on wheels, everyone is using them for the convenience of not waiting in baggage claim.
Interesting how Penny is blaming the F/A's for the LACK OF COMMON COURTESY of fellow passengers. NOTE: Your quaranteed a seat, NOT overhead space in all classes.
the govt regulates the NUMBER OF CARRY-ONS...............they should REGULATE THE SIZE as well.
the govt regulates the NUMBER OF CARRY-ONS...............they should REGULATE THE SIZE as well.
Talk about the tail wagging the dog.
Airlines in the US are allowed to set policy regarding the number of carry-ons the airline will allow; and then -- after the airline regulates the number of carry-ons -- the government supports whatever carry-on allowance the airline informs the government that it (i.e., the airline) wants.
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Airlines in the US are allowed to set policy regarding the number of carry-ons the airline will allow; and then -- after the airline regulates the number of carry-ons -- the government supports whatever carry-on allowance the airline informs the government that it (i.e., the airline) wants.
The LIMIT to the number of carry-ons became effective in 1987. The two bag LIMIT. and, changed shortly after 9-11 to One bag limit with a personal item. The FAA ISSUED THE POLICY OF LIMITING BAGS, NOT THE AIRLINES.
Now, the size and weight do have some variations depending on airlines. HENCE, why this article is being debated in the media and on Capital Hill.
It was a problem 2 years ago when checked bags were free, too. I don't think the $20 is what is causing the problem.
The fact that the airlines don't bother enforcing their own rules is, IMO, the crux of the issue.
Indeed it was a problem in years before the US airline industry went so far in eliminating checked baggage allowance, but it's much more frequently an issue now and involves gate checking more now than back when no US major had yet to scrap the general free baggage allowance domestically.
That the airline chooses not to enforce its own rules is the crux of the issue of more customers having to struggle to find overhead space, but that space issue is now as big an issue as it is because of things like the elimination of free checked baggage allowance for most domestic passengers, concerns about baggage handling, etc.
I would check luggage in more often if I had confidence that my bags: would reliably arrive at my destination airport with me; and be on the belt without a 15-30+ minute wait; and could be locked and otherwise secure from loss, theft, damage and other meddling; and insured adequately by the airline.
However, if I weren't exempted from baggage charges by all the airlines that are part of a major alliance, then I'd be taking up even more overhead bin space than I already do.
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The LIMIT to the number of carry-ons became effective in 1987. The two bag LIMIT. and, changed shortly after 9-11 to One bag limit with a personal item. The FAA ISSUED THE POLICY OF LIMITING BAGS, NOT THE AIRLINES.
Now, the size and weight do have some variations depending on airlines. HENCE, why this article is being debated in the media and on Capital Hill.
1987 is not today, nor is 2001 today. Even back in the late 1980s, it wasn't a uniform limit across all airlines.
The current, legal carry-on baggage allowance limits today are a function of what each individual airline informs or has informed the government is the airline policy with regard to carry-on baggage allowance. The FAA supports the carry-on baggage policies as filed with it by the airlines, each separately.
I am quite well aware of what is being debated on Capitol Hill when it comes to airline-related matters. That's not new as I was paying attention even when then-US Senator Alaska Ted Stevens was obsessing over matters in this area.
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[quote=GUWonder;12691586]The current, legal carry-on baggage allowance limits today are a function of what each individual airline informs or has informed the government is the airline policy with regard to carry-on baggage allowance. The FAA supports the carry-on baggage policies as filed with it by the airlines, each separately.
QUOTE]
If that were the case, all airlines wouldnt have any LIMITS. They'd considered it a competitive issue and NOT a safety one. Airlines DO NOT set their OWN carry-on allowance limits. The "number of bags" is FAA mandated.
examples:
AA Carry on Baggage: What are the carry-on baggage restrictions for domestic flights? FAA security measures limit customers on all AA flights to one carry-on bag plus one personal item.
Delta Carry-on Baggage
All Delta passengers are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item that meet the criteria below. See Security Check-in for liquid and gel restrictions.
USAirways Carry-on baggage
You're allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item. Personal items include a purse, briefcase or laptop bag.
And, I'm quite aware of what was going on in the 80's and even late 70's. Lack of regulations AND when other regulations went into effect.
Exactly. If we're going to make comparisons ('Europe enforces carry-on rules and everyone just falls in line'), we need to make an accurate comparison. Certainly some of the carry-on issues here in the US date from when the airlines started charging for checked bags. 
in the f/c o/h bins and (sadly) they were running around like chickens without their heads trying to find enough o/h space for those pax that had already boarded. they did a very good job but i feel for them in a big way
