Guess I will be driving more
 

Over the last 15 years, I have been a top level elite on at least one, and more often, 2 to 3 airlines. This year, I will not be a top level elite on any airline. My travel weeks have not really been reduced, although I am doing less international travel. The reason for this change is that I will now drive up to 6.5 hours rather than fly. If the horrible delays at Newark were not enough, this change may well make it 7.5 or even 8 hours. Over the last few weeks I have driven to Johnstown PA, Fitchburg MA, Norwood MA and Northern Virginia. In the past, each of these trips would have been flights. With this change, not only would I have to endure a 1 to 3 hour delay on virtually any afternoon or evening Newark Flight, but would need to wait upwards of an hour to 75 minutes for my bag.

While I am sure that this change is solely intended to increase checked bag revenue, we can only communicate a message that these changes are unacceptable by decreasing our use of the airline.

On another issue, to the persistant group of poster who claim that rigid baggage enforcement works well in Europe, I give you...Alitalia.

[QUOTE=sfogate;10562898

The more Elites on a flight, the more issues we have with running out of overhead space. [/QUOTE]

Unfortunately I have found this to be the case as well.

It's not so much the 22' rollaboard that causes the problem, but the half the size of the rollaboard computer tote/bag that gets stowed along with the rollaboard that in the end results in space running out. But with so little leg room, I would put that computer tote in the bin as well. And throw just a few of those ginormous hardside garment bag things that take up half a bin....and it's all over.

That's a good point. I have run into the problem with Delta.

Will Continental at least have the sense to be a little more accommodating for elites! AA has a nice double standard where elites, within reason, are allowed to slide.

I would say that we tend to look the other way when we are boarding FClass and Elites. That's not to say that we would excuse you from carrying on two very large items but as long as you follow the one plus one smaller rule, I think you should be "safe".

It's the people that board last that have to gate check their bags because we are usually out of room by then. Also returning residents to Central/South America are guilty of bring very large bags on board and the sizing box will be very helpful to show them that their bag(s) are too large to carry on.

Luggage quiz time. In This Photo base on a strict adherence of a sizer based on 22"x14"x9", which of the bags will be allowed on board?

How does NONE sound?

I wouldn't be that mean.

A-backpack
B-Travel Pro....not overstuffed
E-laptop bag
F-gym bag...not overstuffed

Upon closer examination I'll pick e and f.

I know that sfogate is a reasonable person who'll let you cram the item into the box, but she'll not be the norm for the GA community.

If TSA actually gets into the act with their wonton stupidity, I'll bet there are violent episodes at EWR.

I too hope all GA's are as reasonable as sfogate. You are correct with only one of your two bag choices.

You are correct in that A, B, E, & F are the only bags that meet the 45" rule however, bag E (laptop) is the only one that strictly meets the LxWxH rule of 22"x14"x9" I know how to place A, E, and a winter coat in the bin so they they take up less room than B.

Below is the break down of each bags dimension and why they don't pass the sizer test (22" Travel Pro people take note of Bag B, the 20" Travel Pro)
and where some have easily been used. Dimensions are overall dimensions including wheels, handles (smashed down as far as possible), etc.

Bag A: 16.5”x12”x11” = 39.5” The 12” and 11” dimension makes it too large to get into a 9 inch wide sizer. This bag has passed VS GA’s scrutiny (weighed of course) and fits in ERJ overhead bins as well as under the A seats.

Bag B: 21.5”x15”x9.75” = 46.25” This is a 20 inch Travel Pro Walkabout Lite. The bag is listed as 20”x14”x9”. However, the actual storage bag is 14.25” wide and when you add the little feet on the side (which would sit on the bottom of a sizer) and the handle, it exceeds the width dimension by 1 inch. The wheels, bottom feet, and top handle add 1.5” to the 20” bag height but still just under 22”. The wheels and the curb/stair guard add 0.75" to the thickness which makes it thicker than 9". It exceeds the overall 45” dimension too. People with 22” Travel Pro’s take note, your bag is 23.5” long, exceeding the 22” max length. That’s why some FT’s have not been able to get it into other airline sizers.

Bag C: 24.25”x14.5”x8” = 47” This bag is listed as a 22” bag and meets the current 51” rule. It fits properly in the Y bins of 733, 735, 752, 738 (2008 deliveries) and 739 ER’s. Does not fit properly in the other 737 NG’s, 753’s. You can argue it fits 777 and 767’s. The wheels, bottom feet, and handle add 2.25” to the Length thus exceed 22” rule and overall dimension even though it is a 22” bag.

Bag D: 28.5”x19”x10” = 57.5” Clearly checked luggage.

Bag E: 16.5”x 7”x12” = 35.5” (expands to 8.5” thick) This is the only bag that meets all the criteria for LxWxH. A slightly thicker than normal laptop bag because it has extra room for papers and everything else you can get into brief case) Fits in ERJ overhead bins as well as under the A seats.


Bag F: 19”x11”x10.75” = 40.75” The 11” and the 10.75” dimension makes it too large to get into a 9 inch wide sizer. This bag has passed BA GA’s scrutiny (weighed of course) and fits in ERJ overhead bins as well as under the A seats.

I can tell you that, judging with my trained eye, A B E F WILL fit in the bin end-wise and I would have no problem with them coming on board. C and D would have to be placed long-wise and should be checked. I know the point that is being made and I agree. There are some blueprint tubes or fishing rod tubes that would exceed the total but would easily fit in the OH. The linear-total rule really doesn't address whether a bag actually fits. If it fits end-wise, bring it on. Keep in mid that this would/should exclude the GIANT garment bags that take up almost two bag spaces.

Thanks; that seems reasonable.

Bag C, soon to be no longer allowed on board, actually fits in end-wise on the planes listed above. That bag was designed specificly to fit CO's "larger" bins which it does nicely but those planes are now few and far between. That bag's actual bag area is less than an 22" Travel Pro because it's one inch thinner. Strangely, the first plane I took that bag on was a CO 777 at the end of 1999 and my reaction was "This doesn't fit in the bin end first" But then again very few rollaboards fit end first into those bins.

My self and others here do appreciate the GA's who are reasonable and can easily spot which bags clearly fit in the bins and don't take up too much room but don't fit in sizers.

I saw a stray sizer in Terminal C this morning at IAH, and since I had my computer bag with me and my 22" roll aboard bag I normally travel with, I tried it out. The roll aboard fits the correct way, with the wheels out and handle in first (the wheel end is just a little too high to fit handle out, wheels in) on all of CO's mainline fleet. The only time on mainline CO it won't fit that way is in the F bins on the 733, 735, and 73G, and the most forward of the F bins on the 738 and 739. It fits on everything else.

But it won't fit the sizer. Not even close.

As for my computer bag, it fit in the sizer, but just barely, and it wouldn't have fit if I was on a trip where I was carrying everything I sometimes need to bring for work. Yet even when it's packed full it still fits under most Y seats. The only ones where it's really an issue are the aisle seats with the large entertainment system control box under them.

I don't know if this was one of the new sizers that SFO Gate mentioned or an old one.