Considering the trouble that carry on luggage can present, i wonder if the fees are indeed actually to encourage folks to bring stuff onboard. It is possible that space in the overhead bins might go otherwise unused. There is a weight automatically assigned to the overhead bins...so if they are not full...is that a waste of money for fuel? I don't know how this stuff gets figured but it seems we are teaching a whole generation that checking luggage is something that is simply not done.

Carry on bags increase the amount of time it takes to board and deplane. I wonder what sort of money could be saved by seriously limiting the carry on bags so that planes could spend less time on the ground. Every few minutes counts afterall in these complex plane shedules. Or does the cost of groundstaff outwiegh any savings in less ground time for certain aircraft or the fuel to compensate for the "weight" placarded for the overhead bins if the bins are empty. Does this make any sense?