Originally Posted by
Unimatrix One
May I ask why you are so upset about the return of metal templates? The airlines have rules about carry-on size. Do you routinely carry on luggage that exceeds the published limits?
I always carry on my luggage, but I make sure my bags are within the limits. I would be fine with metal templates at the airport, because it won't prevent me from carrying on my luggage. In fact it is likely to help me by reducing the chance that I'll have to gate check my bag due to people filling the bins with oversized luggage.
The real problem I have with the templates is that if they are on the screener belt like they were before, TSA will end up being the 'enforcers'.....
Think TSA can handle obvious exceptions like child seats that won't fit through the templates (or in a sizer, for that matter)?
There can be problems with the 'sizers' at checkin/gates anyway. I once had a UA rep at the gate tell me I had to check a backpack (not a daypack, true weekend backpack). It fit in the sizer - no prodding, the top 6 inches were empty - but she obviously just didn't like the look of the pack, because she still tried to tell me to check it. This was pre-wheelie days, I was having shoulder problems, just couldn't handle carrying a weekend duffle but didn't have enough to warrant checking a bag.
I've also seen people bring on things like a poster tube that strictly speaking couldn't 'fit' in any sizer, but certainly didn't take up much bin space.