I like the paying extra for an extra carry-on idea. But let's exempt the FAs.

Exactly (specifically) why should an FA be exempt???

Well, no takers for my last post, so let me try again.

I viewed the female flight attendant I mentioned when returning from a four day trip. On this trip, I was able to fit everything needed into a legal sized roll aboard and an over-the-shoulder bag, which very easily fit underneath the seat in front. Please note, I was caught mid-trip by the new FAA carry-on rule.

The flight attendant carried on a roll aboard AND two other "bags", both of which were larger than my over-the-shoulder bag, and either of which I have previously stated certainly would qualify as a carry-on.

Guess my observation was that she did not appear to be packing "smartly" for her working trip. Plus, two of three of her items went in the FC overhead bins, despite the fact that we've all been reminded (at least on United) that one of the two formerly allowed carry-ons should go under the seat in front.

I am not that familiar with the work schedules of attendants, but do they normally work more than three days at a time? If not, two carry-on sized items would
seem sufficient. Two would allow them more than the customers are allowed..but three?

1) They can't check bags.

2) It's a perk of their employment.

3) It's no skin off anyone else's nose.

4) They make about $20,000 a year. It would be cruel to ding them for an extra carry-on.


ColoBill: Except perhaps in non-rev vacation situations, I don't know why they need a third carry-on - I manage just fine for four-weeks in Europe with one - but it certainly doesn't change my experience if their rules are different. I really can't grab on to the idea of saying if I can't bring on a third bag, no one else should be able to either. The focus should be on making it right for you, not on harming someone else. If they're bringing on so much you can't get room in the overheads for your own bags, that's a valid complaint.

But does a "perk of their employment" override an FAA ruling? Seems we are talking about a security issue here, regardless of whether it involves a frequent flyer or a crewmember.

letitole: By the way, the female flight attendant was in uniform, so was traveling in business status.

Maybe the best change in the rules would be to *require* the crew to check a bag. That would ensure the airlines had an incentive to get the bags out quickly (to avoid delaying their crews).

Though you may have a legit complaint about you and the 1+1 carryon rule, leave the FA's out of this.

Get a life. So what if they carry 3 or 4 bags. Does it hurt anyone on this board? A bunch of cry babies. Next thing I expect to hear is "she touched me!"

Sure, there are lots of LOGICAL arguments against it, but so what? Let it go.

Have been following this thread with a mixture of reactions. I find myself completely in agreement with Letiole , NoStressHere , and Drtravels , and, unusually, find myself disagreeing with Punki

From several of Punki's posts:

Some observations; others' mileages will doubtlessly vary:

1. We keep saying that "everything has changed since 9/11" but I'm not sure any of us have really accepted how deeply and completely that will and probably should effect all of our habits. For example, for those who travel the kind of horrid schedule that you describe, Punki, that business will have to be done a new way. Given the FAA rules, we simply no longer can do business as usual, and clients et al will have to adapt to what they expect of business travelers, and business travelers are more and more going to simply have to re-think in every aspect how their business gets done -- including prior flight habits that just don't work anymore. Punki, you say "I really can't keep up MY pace and check baggage any more than an FA can check baggage" ; well, the way things are now (and I don't think we yet fully know what that means completely) may mean for us all that old habits about pace and our routines and preferred styles of doing business just must change. I don't like it either, but it's probably reality.

2. I think that all of us sometimes confuse between "want" and "need." There are things I "want" to have with me, arranged in a certain way, carried in a certain style, but I don't "need" them. I think all of us who fly often have things arranged just the way we like them, taking with us just what we want. One of the things that has changed in the past month is that we all must re-think the distinction between the category of "wants" and "needs," and I say this as one who surely himself continues to both conflate the two and wish it weren't the case that I had to think even about this!

3. Punki, you may be right and I may be wrong about these issues, but the tone of your posts, to me, sounds like if you can't do it, then no one should. This has surprised me.

Quote:

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> Originally posted by Spot: I do try to limit my carry-ons to times when they are essential, but this policy is ludicrous. Might a simpler policy be to charge per carry-on. This could reimburse the secutity for all the extra workload, and might even tighten airline policy on crew luggage.

Simplest yet might be to remove the overhead bins. If you can fit it under the seat in front of you (and if you can stand no legroom -- saying this as a 6'1" person), you can bring it. If you can't, you can't. Would surely make the dispatching of aircraft more predictable.

Quote:

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> Originally posted by Letiole: 1) They can't check bags.

2) It's a perk of their employment.

3) It's no skin off anyone else's nose.

4) They make about $20,000 a year. It would be cruel to ding them for an extra carry-on....

I really can't grab on to the idea of saying if I can't bring on a third bag, no one else should be able to either. The focus should be on making it right for you, not on harming someone else.

Amen on all counts, Letiole. Thank you.

cblaisd, quite to the contrary.

I have found ways to adhere to the new rules and will continue to do so. What I am really saying is,

If I can take a 4 day business trip in adherence with the FAA rules, why can't the flight crew? Actually I offer kudos to the pilots (both male and female), they are and always have been in adherance with the new rules.

Those of us who are really serious travelers, passengers and crew alike, need to give a good example.

OBTW, I very much appreciate those of you who have disagreed with me in a very civilized, polite manner. IMHO, that is the hallmark of FT, and the very best way we can learn from one another.

Off to pack my 1+1 bags for a transcon.



[This message has been edited by Punki (edited 10-12-2001).]

The single thing that makes me agree that FA's must adhere to the same is that they're the ones that have pushed for stricter carry on limits.

Also, crews most certainly should have the same rules apply to them. The eception is bringing items on boards expressly needed for flight. Such as a map case.

Good point. However, we passengers are not told we can only bring two carry-ons. We have the benefit of being able to check bags. FAs cannot.

Don't you use a comb and makeup?

Ladies,
Just carry a fold up or portable type tote bag. Dump purse, briefcase, everything in it when boarding. Remove items for use in flight.

Yeah. They fit quite well in my carry-on.