AC carry-on baggage enforcement (2022 onwards)
#31
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,570
But even more obvious than the totally hidden meal priority and upgrade priority are that people who can board early obviously have early access to finite carryon space. Sure, AC should set the carryon limit to what planes can hold, but they don't, and neither does any other (mainstream) airline.
#32
Join Date: Dec 2019
Programs: Air Canada - Super Elite, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 609
AC does list upgrade priority. It's called the upgrade list. If you request an updrade and it hasn't cleared, it's on the list and you know where you stand. Potential upgrades are listed as a perk.
Perhaps feeling entitled as a more frequent flyer to have "more rights" to space in the overhead bins is childish behaviour. You have space requirements like everyone else. If you don't follow them, I could care less if it's childish behaviour me saying something about it, it's more childish behaviour being the person with status and not following the rules.
If you want the peons in Y on basic fares to follow the rules, you should as well.
Perhaps feeling entitled as a more frequent flyer to have "more rights" to space in the overhead bins is childish behaviour. You have space requirements like everyone else. If you don't follow them, I could care less if it's childish behaviour me saying something about it, it's more childish behaviour being the person with status and not following the rules.
If you want the peons in Y on basic fares to follow the rules, you should as well.
When it comes to the discretion of a Flight Attendant, I can only assume that all else being equal they would give a little more leeway (within reason) to baggage that is clearly labelled as belonging to a loyal and frequent customer.
I’ve always just assumed that was at least part of the reason for the existence of elite luggage tags.
#33
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 54
I think you are missing the distinction between a published benefit and an informal courtesy to a valued customer. I mean, Air Canada are the ones mailing out luggage tags for elite customers. Since those tags offer absolutely no utility beyond identifying your bags as belonging to an elite member I can only surmise that this scenario is at least part of their purpose.
When it comes to the discretion of a Flight Attendant, I can only assume that all else being equal they would give a little more leeway (within reason) to baggage that is clearly labelled as belonging to a loyal and frequent customer.
I’ve always just assumed that was at least part of the reason for the existence of elite luggage tags.
When it comes to the discretion of a Flight Attendant, I can only assume that all else being equal they would give a little more leeway (within reason) to baggage that is clearly labelled as belonging to a loyal and frequent customer.
I’ve always just assumed that was at least part of the reason for the existence of elite luggage tags.
#34
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYC / random hotel in YYZ
Programs: Back of the bus
Posts: 922
I think you are missing the distinction between a published benefit and an informal courtesy to a valued customer. I mean, Air Canada are the ones mailing out luggage tags for elite customers. Since those tags offer absolutely no utility beyond identifying your bags as belonging to an elite member I can only surmise that this scenario is at least part of their purpose.
When it comes to the discretion of a Flight Attendant, I can only assume that all else being equal they would give a little more leeway (within reason) to baggage that is clearly labelled as belonging to a loyal and frequent customer.
I’ve always just assumed that was at least part of the reason for the existence of elite luggage tags.
When it comes to the discretion of a Flight Attendant, I can only assume that all else being equal they would give a little more leeway (within reason) to baggage that is clearly labelled as belonging to a loyal and frequent customer.
I’ve always just assumed that was at least part of the reason for the existence of elite luggage tags.
You have the same size requirements as everyone else. If you want to be given leeway, perhaps I should have the same leeway on a full fare last minute economy flight, even though you paid for a cheaper flight and used e-upgrade credits?
What's the difference in value to AC for someone who flies twice a year in J but pays 10K each time (say to SYD or somewhere crazy) vs an SE who churns on segments? Significant. Far less work or handholding for the flyer who comes twice a year, but far more profit.
If it's not a published perk, you deserve no better treatment than anyone else. If it's published, you are 100% entitled to it.
#35
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,570
If FAs mess about with bags already in place that compromises any inherent value of boarding early.
#36
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,779
The upgrade list is not "upgrade priority". Upgrade priority is knowing who gets prioritized for upgrades - cabin, status, fare, etc. There's definitely a hierarchy. The upgrade list is of little to no use to me in determining what I should book in advance.
The upgrade list also seems to be frequently wrong.
My having priority over a 25K at the gate isn't published anywhere, but I know it exists and I rely on it.
Perhaps feeling entitled as a more frequent flyer to have "more rights" to space in the overhead bins is childish behaviour. You have space requirements like everyone else. If you don't follow them, I could care less if it's childish behaviour me saying something about it, it's more childish behaviour being the person with status and not following the rules.
If you want the peons in Y on basic fares to follow the rules, you should as well.
If you want the peons in Y on basic fares to follow the rules, you should as well.
And if I take advantage of my ability to board late, I don't want that to cost me overhead space for the bag.
I don't think either of those is at all unreasonable.
So I'm not entitled to higher priority for eUpgrades, higher priority for meal upgrades, higher priority at the call centre? You need to get away from this overly legalistic interpretation of what the program benefits are or should be.
#37
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,132
The problem is a hard case that is even a cm to big will end up taking up the room of a couple of regulation bags becasue it can't be put under a seat and needs to be put in the bin sideways. Backpacks and duffle bags can contored to fit in tighter spots.
Your bag is more important because you fly more often?
Your bag is more important because you fly more often?
So in a word…yes.
#38
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,354
It says something like "you can board whenever you want".
#39
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan 50K/Star Alliance Gold, Accor Gold, base level Marriott/Hyatt/Hilton
Posts: 658
If it's not listed as a perk, then no.
Just because you are SE, if the perk doesn't list "Priority carry on baggage treatment" you're simply acting as a DYKWIA
I've travelled as a status passenger and had another DYKWIA SE pull my bag out of the J bin, toss it on the floor and say his was more important. He nearly was booted off the plane.
If it's not a listed perk, no your bag is not more important than any other passengers unless it's a class of service or perk of your status.
Just because you are SE, if the perk doesn't list "Priority carry on baggage treatment" you're simply acting as a DYKWIA
I've travelled as a status passenger and had another DYKWIA SE pull my bag out of the J bin, toss it on the floor and say his was more important. He nearly was booted off the plane.
If it's not a listed perk, no your bag is not more important than any other passengers unless it's a class of service or perk of your status.
no your bag is not more important than any other passengers
#40
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,570
It also doesn't say "the lounge runs out of good food 5 minutes after they serve it"; we are back to the purpose of this site: "how not to let perks slip through your fingers".
#41
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYC / random hotel in YYZ
Programs: Back of the bus
Posts: 922
No, SEs shouldn't expect to board last on a full A320 in Y, bring a 22" carry on and duffle bag, and have two bags gate checked to make space for theirs, but it's perfectly reasonable that FAs make reasonable arrangements to accommodate their most frequent flyers within the rules.
So yes, it is more important in the context of making additional accommodations, which I believe is exactly what Adam Smith meant. Like putting his regulation-sized bag in the coat closet when he's coming in late from a connecting flight, or even just coming from the lounge. Non-status pax shouldn't expect that treatment, while SEs can expect (but not count on) it.
So yes, it is more important in the context of making additional accommodations, which I believe is exactly what Adam Smith meant. Like putting his regulation-sized bag in the coat closet when he's coming in late from a connecting flight, or even just coming from the lounge. Non-status pax shouldn't expect that treatment, while SEs can expect (but not count on) it.
if your bag isn't regulation, I don't care if you're an SE. You're simply an SE bending the rules and expecting grace because you're an SE.
Well give me grace then because I booked full fare economy and didn't use my e-upgrades or game the system....
Non regulation sized bags are not a perk of the program unless something has changed recently....
Last edited by Adam Smith; Aug 19, 2022 at 6:12 am Reason: Merge consecutive posts by same user
#42
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691
On my most recent flights operated by an A220, the gate agents made multiple announcement about how the plane wouldn't be able to accommodate all the roll-boards (in addition to the more common pre-recorded message to that effect) and in some cases pleaded with passengers to volunteer to check their bags to avoid (further) delays. One GA actually dragged out the sizer, put it smack in the middle of the Z3-Z5 line, and started asking pax to stuff their bags in it.
#43
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75K, IHG Plat, Bonvoy Tit, HH Silver, BW Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 221
I wasn't aware that accommodating my late boarding was one of those unwritten rules. This will aid me immeasurably in making YBYL decisions in the future.
#44
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YVR
Programs: AC 75K, BA Gold, Marriott Platinum, National EE, Sixt Platinum, Hertz PC, AVIS PC
Posts: 1,913
This neatly illustrates the point that a few people have been trying to make. They didn't put the sizer in the middle of the Z2 or Z1 lines. My bag is just about exactly regulation size, but if I overpack it isn't, and in that case it will weigh more than regulation. I have never been asked by Air Canada to put it in a sizer or check it in dozens of flights, and I attribute that to status.
I wasn't aware that accommodating my late boarding was one of those unwritten rules. This will aid me immeasurably in making YBYL decisions in the future.
I wasn't aware that accommodating my late boarding was one of those unwritten rules. This will aid me immeasurably in making YBYL decisions in the future.
AC states..
- Although no weight limit applies to carry-on baggage, your bag must be light enough that you can store it in the overhead bin unassisted.
Ron.
#45
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75K, IHG Plat, Bonvoy Tit, HH Silver, BW Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 221
Oh. Interesting. I guess I've been burned by LH a few too many times and assumed they all worked like that.