An "alternative" to gate checking
 

I know how much all DL FTers enjoy the frequency with which gate checking happens at present, and on a flight (operated by another SkyTeam airline, bonus points for identifying the carrier) last night, the FAs got creative in how to deal with the shortage of overhead space. The pictures below show the last row of first/business. This was row 4 on an A320, and I was in row 5. I know finding an empty row on a DL flight can be a challenge (and it certainly wouldn't be in F!), but what would you all think about this? :confused:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2115817/IMAG0058_small.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2115817/IMAG0059_small.jpg

Sorry for the crummy quality. (You can click the images to embiggen.) This was the best I could get on my way off the aircraft without making the FAs wonder what I was up to.

Your links don't load for me. Sounds like this is an "in jest" thread anyway so nothing lost.

All people need to do is to stow their carry ons logically. I was in F the other day and some apparently frequent flyer in F stowed his rollerbag sideways. Fortunately the FA moved it for me and I was easily able to stow my carry on next to it. Another F traveler came and the FA rearranged another bin that was poorly packed in order to make room for that person's carry on.

You would think people have never packed before, but in reality they are just lazy and have a "who cares" attitude.

There was one guy last night who had a full-sized suitcase that he tried to put overhead up front. The FA tried turning it the long way and the bin still wouldn't come close to closing. It was absurd, really.

Anyone else having image problems? I can make them work in a second browser in which I'm not logged in to Dropbox, so it seems they should be working for everyone. In any casey, they show the last row of business with a bunch of suitcases, some of them "secured" with seatbelts through the handles.

If the FA can get creative and find a way to stow carry-ons and save passengers the hassle of gate-checking, I'm all for it. Why not use an empty row, whether in first or coach? It's wasted space anyway.

Following this to an American's logical conclusion, I'm envisioning someone saying "Look, I know it's a steamer trunk, but someone told me that I can strap it in an empty seat, so it's OK".

Bad precedent to set...

I guess my concern would be turbulance. A bit of rough air won't be a problem, but if the plane suddenly drops a couple thousand of feet and the bags aren't really secured, how many passengers are going to be whacked upside the head by flying bags? That said, I found it more amusing than concerning.

Hrm, given that falls of thousands of feet are only arrested by ground or water...

OK, insert the appropriate amount. (I'm a mathematician, not an aerospace engineer, so they're all just small positive integers to me.) I'm not sure a drop would need to be all that sever for those bags to start moving.

At cruising altitude, there are lots of thousands to fall before you hit ground or water...

That's illogical. First of all, the GA wont let steamer trunks or tractor trailers through. Secondly, it is only available IF there is an open row, so there is no guarantee that your bag wouldn't get gate checked in the first place.

Its good customer service when available.

I'll bet if it was your bag being secured to an empty row that you would have a different point of view...

Of course you can't get a steamer trunk through. The logical conclusion of the average American is illogical, which was my point. So many people will take absurd advantage of any situation if they're allowed to do so.

I wouldn't have a different point of view regarding strapping my luggage into an empty row, I think it's potentially dangerous and obnoxious. I have no issue with Gate Valet and am happy to do it if necessary. Others are bound to disagree which is fine, but stamps them with a big "DYKWIA?"

I think you've got that a bit wrong. It's not DWKWIA, but DYKWMBI after a gate check.

Do You Know Where My Bag Is.

I am sitting in St Thomas as I write this. My friend had to gate check her carry on, and of course, DL lost it. She lost 1/2 day going to local shops to get clothes. I am quite sure she would have loved to have had her bag strapped into a seat.

You are more than welcome to enjoy the gate check experience. To each his/her own.

Alitalia?

Both based on the seat pattern and what seems like a very Italian way to deal with the situation.

It's a frame of reference issue -- i.e., if there's turbulence, do the bags move relative to the plane. If they don't everything is fine, but if they do....

It all depends on things like mass times gravity vs the tensile strength of the tie downs etc.

Just wonder if the FAA (or even Delta) has approved this technique.

Bob H

Indeed, but from my understanding of things, if you are falling thousands you will fall all the way...

Now falling 5's of feet is more like severe turbulence...