dchristiva

An overpacked traveler takes away others' opportunity to NOT have to check carry-ons. Seems like simple logic to me. If you bring more stuff than you're allowed, that takes away the opportunity for others to bring what they ARE allowed.

Who's advocating vigilante enforcement of airline policies? I'm taking a photo of an overpacked passenger and sharing it via social media, not confronting him/her. There's a simple way to avoid being the subject of my photography: don't bring more stuff on the plane than the airline allows.

burmans

Beg to differ, you are expressing a viewpoint. It's the airlines policy and frankly in my opinion its their job to enforce that policy not anyone else. Unless I'm mistaken you are not employed directly or indirectly by the airline.

It is a societal thing when you think you have some right to enforce other people's rules, I'd be interested to understand why you think you have such a right if not under the general "its the right thing to do" category.

Kagehitokiri

just when you thought hashtags couldnt get even more ridiculous
(the satirical / self parody / entertainment value ones dont count)

the societal things here: complaining + social media + "news" that isnt news

bugsy

If a bag is overweight or oversize then it should be checked regardless of by how much or how little it exceeds said dimensions....if that is a massive hassle then make sure the bag fits the requirements.

That said, the only way people will get the message is if airlines consistently enforce the rules....until then, people are just going to continue to flout them whether they know better or not.

That said, I don't see any point to the social media campaign - and agree that the current trend that seems to make it ok to harass people via the internet is somewhat alarming, and such behavior should not be encouraged by the media.

idayvuelta

Came across this. I assume you will be voluntarily checking your bags from now on.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel...mits/10246511/

"American (as well as Delta and United) has updated their carry-on bag policies, including a 14-inch maximum width, and my Rimowa is 15 inches wide, as are many carry-ons."

BadgerBoi

yay! another chance to make a few bucks out of litigation - I'm going to start bringing on loads of carryon baggage in the hope that I'll be photographed and shamed on the interwebs

dchristiva

OK. You're entitled to your opinion.

Josh Davis

Not in England & Wales. What possible grounds could you have for suing someone that posted a picture of you?

bugsy

If the bag I wanted to take didn't meet carry-on requirements, then yes I would check it actually (assuming I didn't wish to purchase another bag that did meet the requirements).

While I do understand the frustrations of having to comply if your bag is only slightly over the requirements, (especially if it met the previous set of now changed requirements), however, unless the line is drawn somewhere and then strictly enforced, you end up with the current situation where some people clearly take the piss and bring on bags that should definitely be checked.

idayvuelta

Well - and perhaps we disagree here - that's my point. On airlines (generally in other regions of the world) where carry on limits are strictly enforced for most travelers it means they must check a bag, even if it's reasonably sized. Only small overnight-type bags or backpacks in practice may be brought on the plane (either because of size issues or weight - ten kilos is limited). While that may be just fine for casual travelers (and admittedly makes boarding/finding bin space MUCH saner), it simply does not work for the majority of business travelers.

That's why I think you really haven't seen super heavy-handed enforcement of these rules by US carriers (at least relative to overseas counterparts). The American business flying public would absolutely not stand for it.

**I suppose I should add (and perhaps this was your point) I'm all for enforcement of reasonable carry on limits. My point is, in practice, the limits are rarely reasonable.

Josh Davis

don't tread on me!

gooselee

Because there aren't business travelers in other parts of the world?

WillCAD

I agree with you completely.

However, since the airlines generally seem unwilling to enforce their policies, it is perfectly within our rights as their customers to put pressure on them to do so. Posting pics of people flagrantly violating the policies and getting away with it does three things:
1) Makes people wonder why those pax think they're above the rules
2) Makes people wonder why the airlines aren't enforcing the rules
3) Helps to inform the casual traveler what the rules are in advance (most of them will follow the rules if they know what the rules are)

Bringing this issue out with such a campaign will only help to reduce the problem. Sitting back and grumbling under your breath about it does nothing except let the offenders get away with it.

I understand and completely agree with those who say that we should mind our own business. However, when someone else's actions directly affect me, that MAKES their actions fall within the scope of "my business" and I am free to comment on their actions.

And yes, those who flaunt the carry-on size limits most certainly do affect me, and everyone else who boards a plane, because their oversize bags take up more than their allotted amount of the shared overhead space (forcing others to gate check carry-ons that might contain expensive or fragile items), slows boarding and deplaning, and increases the potential for accidental impacts.

I for one don't ever plan to gate check my carry-on, because it routinely contains several thousand dollars worth of camera and computer gear (and yes, it does meet the size restrictions). Nor would I enjoy getting rapped on the noggin by Uncle Marv's carry-on shipping crate as he struggles to get it into the overhead above my seat or remove it upon landing.

In short, those who post these pics ARE minding their own business. Because those who violate the carry-on restrictions directly affect everyone else aboard the aircraft.

And before anyone dismissively mentions it, yes, this is indeed a First World problem. I live in the First World. If I lived in the Third World, I'd be complaining about famine, war, and pestilence. But I'm an American, so I complain about the price of gas and people who violate the carry-on rules.

idayvuelta

First of all most business travelers in other parts of the world are by definition flying internationally, which means you have to clear passport control and customs anyway. Secondly, it's been my observation that more people check suitcases (ie rollaboard size or bigger) than carry on as compared to the United States. I've observed a much stronger culture in the US there's among road warriors of avoiding checking a bag whenever possible even though because of elite status or reimbursements there's no financial reason to do so.

Josh Davis

Can't imagine that standing in front of someone and taking their photo and, when confronted, saying "oh, I'm going to upload it to a blog about people who have big bags on aircraft" isn't going to lead to altercations...

One could always explain to that person that you have strong views about carryons, and ask them to check the bag. Or ask the gate agent to have it checked. Can't really see either of those happening, to be honest. Much easier to stick something online and feel like you've done your bit without actually having to interract with anyone...

I see this turning into a load of blurry clandestine photos from across the gate or through the gap in the seats... hehe, that'll show 'em! In all likelihood these people aren't even going to see the photos