Boarding Futility: Please put laptop in bag to walk through the door.
Mar 24, 2011, 9:19 am
#1
Original Poster
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Boarding Futility: Please put laptop in bag to walk through the door.
So, boarding a delayed flight. Have been working on my laptop in the boarding area on my cellular modem. Boarding is called. I proceed to board. I am carrying my carry-on, my backpack for my laptop, and as I intend to continue to work on my laptop once I board, my laptop, with the active USB modem sticking out the USB port.
A gentleman comes over to the boarding GA who scans my boarding pass and waves three fingers at her, at which point she says that in order to board, I must put my laptop in my laptop bag because I am only allowed 2 carry-on items instead of three. I say "You're kidding, right?" to which she replies (politely but firmly) "You'll just need to put the laptop in the bag when you walk through the door as TSA is here." (I didn't note any particular evidence one way or the other that the gentleman with the three fingers was TSA.)
So I step aside just past the scanner, open my laptop bag enough to put the laptop in sticking out, walk through the jetbridge doorway, take the laptop back out of the bag, and proceed down the jetway.
Really?
That was productive. (I know, no less productive than this post, but this is more.. fun.)
A gentleman comes over to the boarding GA who scans my boarding pass and waves three fingers at her, at which point she says that in order to board, I must put my laptop in my laptop bag because I am only allowed 2 carry-on items instead of three. I say "You're kidding, right?" to which she replies (politely but firmly) "You'll just need to put the laptop in the bag when you walk through the door as TSA is here." (I didn't note any particular evidence one way or the other that the gentleman with the three fingers was TSA.)
So I step aside just past the scanner, open my laptop bag enough to put the laptop in sticking out, walk through the jetbridge doorway, take the laptop back out of the bag, and proceed down the jetway.
Really?
That was productive. (I know, no less productive than this post, but this is more.. fun.)
Mar 24, 2011, 9:25 am
#2
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Shame the TSA cannot be present at all gates - although I grant that this particular instance was petty. However, if UA enforced carry-on restrictions, then boarding would be much faster and there would be more space and less stress all round.
Mar 24, 2011, 9:55 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
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So, boarding a delayed flight. Have been working on my laptop in the boarding area on my cellular modem. Boarding is called. I proceed to board. I am carrying my carry-on, my backpack for my laptop, and as I intend to continue to work on my laptop once I board, my laptop, with the active USB modem sticking out the USB port.
A gentleman comes over to the boarding GA who scans my boarding pass and waves three fingers at her, at which point she says that in order to board, I must put my laptop in my laptop bag because I am only allowed 2 carry-on items instead of three. I say "You're kidding, right?" to which she replies (politely but firmly) "You'll just need to put the laptop in the bag when you walk through the door as TSA is here." (I didn't note any particular evidence one way or the other that the gentleman with the three fingers was TSA.)
So I step aside just past the scanner, open my laptop bag enough to put the laptop in sticking out, walk through the jetbridge doorway, take the laptop back out of the bag, and proceed down the jetway.
Really?
That was productive. (I know, no less productive than this post, but this is more.. fun.)
A gentleman comes over to the boarding GA who scans my boarding pass and waves three fingers at her, at which point she says that in order to board, I must put my laptop in my laptop bag because I am only allowed 2 carry-on items instead of three. I say "You're kidding, right?" to which she replies (politely but firmly) "You'll just need to put the laptop in the bag when you walk through the door as TSA is here." (I didn't note any particular evidence one way or the other that the gentleman with the three fingers was TSA.)
So I step aside just past the scanner, open my laptop bag enough to put the laptop in sticking out, walk through the jetbridge doorway, take the laptop back out of the bag, and proceed down the jetway.
Really?
That was productive. (I know, no less productive than this post, but this is more.. fun.)
For example, right behind you is someone with items that cannot be consolidated. They could respond with: "but you let them take 3 items"
FWIW, I recall a similar thread about having a coat.... over your shoulder... its an additional item. Wearing it is not.
Mar 24, 2011, 11:44 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,685
Annoying when your industry is regulated, yet people don't seem to believe the regulations apply to them.
Simple concept, amazing how many people cannot comprehend 1 carry on, 1 personal item. There are a few exceptions (assistive devices, food to be consumed onboard,) but the need to have a portable office in addition to the maximum number of carry on items is not one of the exceptions.
Where do you think the CSR should enforce the rules, out of their sight on the plane, or at the door where the agent (as well as regulators) can see?
Simple concept, amazing how many people cannot comprehend 1 carry on, 1 personal item. There are a few exceptions (assistive devices, food to be consumed onboard,) but the need to have a portable office in addition to the maximum number of carry on items is not one of the exceptions.
Where do you think the CSR should enforce the rules, out of their sight on the plane, or at the door where the agent (as well as regulators) can see?
Mar 24, 2011, 12:31 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 30
Annoying when your industry is regulated, yet people don't seem to believe the regulations apply to them.
Simple concept, amazing how many people cannot comprehend 1 carry on, 1 personal item. There are a few exceptions (assistive devices, food to be consumed onboard,) but the need to have a portable office in addition to the maximum number of carry on items is not one of the exceptions.
Where do you think the CSR should enforce the rules, out of their sight on the plane, or at the door where the agent (as well as regulators) can see?
Simple concept, amazing how many people cannot comprehend 1 carry on, 1 personal item. There are a few exceptions (assistive devices, food to be consumed onboard,) but the need to have a portable office in addition to the maximum number of carry on items is not one of the exceptions.
Where do you think the CSR should enforce the rules, out of their sight on the plane, or at the door where the agent (as well as regulators) can see?
I don't care how many items you have, as long as they can be consolidated into two bags that don't exceed the limits, then why not a portable office. It's not like passengers should be thankful just for letting them ride your plane. They paid for and in turn paid your salary, so why treat people like that when it will only drive them to other airlines?
Mar 24, 2011, 12:58 pm
#9
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The issue is not IF they can be consolidated, but ARE they consolidated when you go through.
It's a fairly simple process. Count the things you are carrying. If it's over one carry on and one personal item, then you need to consolidate them to board or go through security. If it's under, you don't.
It's a fairly simple process. Count the things you are carrying. If it's over one carry on and one personal item, then you need to consolidate them to board or go through security. If it's under, you don't.
Mar 24, 2011, 1:05 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2009
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The following personal items are not counted toward your one bag and one personal item limit:
* Assistive devices (canes, crutches, etc.)
* Child safety seats for ticketed children
* Infant restraint devices (infant seat with or without stroller, front pouch or back carrier)
* Outer garments (coats, hats, etc.)
* Reading material (a reasonable amount)
* Umbrellas (one per passenger)
* Food and beverages to be consumed onboard
* Assistive devices (canes, crutches, etc.)
* Child safety seats for ticketed children
* Infant restraint devices (infant seat with or without stroller, front pouch or back carrier)
* Outer garments (coats, hats, etc.)
* Reading material (a reasonable amount)
* Umbrellas (one per passenger)
* Food and beverages to be consumed onboard
Mar 24, 2011, 1:16 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,685
Really!??? Come that is Crap. You can't use common sense at all?
I don't care how many items you have, as long as they can be consolidated into two bags that don't exceed the limits, then why not a portable office. It's not like passengers should be thankful just for letting them ride your plane. They paid for and in turn paid your salary, so why treat people like that when it will only drive them to other airlines?
I don't care how many items you have, as long as they can be consolidated into two bags that don't exceed the limits, then why not a portable office. It's not like passengers should be thankful just for letting them ride your plane. They paid for and in turn paid your salary, so why treat people like that when it will only drive them to other airlines?
So you feel that airlines should not follow federal regulations, as long as they think they can justify the rule breakage in their own minds?
Your arguement is what is crap. The rules are there, they are not even UA's rules, but federal rules. Besides, my salary is paid by UA. UA prohibits me taking money for myself from any customer, so that arguement holds about as much water as your other ones (and water that can't be beought in at that!)
Noone is asking for thanks, we are asking (requiring) you to follow the rules. Just becuase you pay money for a service that comes with restrictions, doesn't mean you get to choose which restrictions you will follow. Pay your money for a service with stated restrictions, and follow those restrictions. That is usually how it works in this world.
If you want to follow your own rules, then drice, but alas, there are rules there too, such as operating while intoxicated, open containers of liquor, speed limits, and yes, even restrictions on what must/must not be on your car (signal lights must be on, windown tinting beyond a certain point must not.) Cry that you pay tax dollars for the use of the roads and the rules shouldn't apply to you...it is an arguement of a fool.
Mar 24, 2011, 1:26 pm
#12
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Doubt it was TSA.. Sounds like FAA. Departing one of my normal stations last week, GA told me that the FAA was enforcing the two-bag rule at all stations. She had me put my camera bag inside my roller-board, even though I was gate-checking my roller-board (RJ), and would only have two bags on-board..
Mar 24, 2011, 2:21 pm
#14
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Don't wear your coat, you're afoul of FAA regs.
Wear your coat, you're a potential terrorist.
Mar 24, 2011, 3:16 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 642
Between this thread and the ones regarding the zip lock bag, sexual assault victim, and the FAA air ATC tower operator, I am reminded of a scene from the movie "Quick Change".
Bill Murray: “We wanna get on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway.”
Road Worker1: “What?”
BM: “The BQE.”
Road Worker2: “Wow, you know, jeez, we don't know where that is.”
Woman in window: “Shut up!”
Road Worker1: “Hey, you shut up!”
Woman in window: “Shut up!”
Road Worker2: “Shut up! Shut up!”
BM: “Let's just walk through this, okay? Does that sign say BQE?”
Road Worker1: “Yeah.”
BM: “Okay, so which way was the arrow pointing?”
Road Worker1: “That was an hour ago. That witch ain't stopped screaming the whole time.”
Road Worker2: “She even had her baby screaming at us.”
BM: “Let me try this, will you be putting up a new sign?”
Road Worker1: “Not today. Today's just taking $hit down.”
BM: “Can you tell us anything? The names of a street, any street? The directions: North, south?”
Road Worker2: “It's not our neighborhood.”
Geena Davis: “Honey, babe. You've got a gun. Shoot them.”
BM: “I want to, but they're fur-bearing. I'd need some kind of permit, wouldn't I?”
BM: “Thanks, guys. You could've given us help, but you've given us so much more.”
Road Worker1: “Hey, that's what we're here for, right?”
BM: “I'm glad this happened. It's another little reminder of why we pulled this thing. You know what their problem is? They live here, that's all. But we don't. Not anymore.
Like Bill Murray and Geena Davis in that movie, all of this makes me think I should just move out of the US.
Bill Murray: “We wanna get on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway.”
Road Worker1: “What?”
BM: “The BQE.”
Road Worker2: “Wow, you know, jeez, we don't know where that is.”
Woman in window: “Shut up!”
Road Worker1: “Hey, you shut up!”
Woman in window: “Shut up!”
Road Worker2: “Shut up! Shut up!”
BM: “Let's just walk through this, okay? Does that sign say BQE?”
Road Worker1: “Yeah.”
BM: “Okay, so which way was the arrow pointing?”
Road Worker1: “That was an hour ago. That witch ain't stopped screaming the whole time.”
Road Worker2: “She even had her baby screaming at us.”
BM: “Let me try this, will you be putting up a new sign?”
Road Worker1: “Not today. Today's just taking $hit down.”
BM: “Can you tell us anything? The names of a street, any street? The directions: North, south?”
Road Worker2: “It's not our neighborhood.”
Geena Davis: “Honey, babe. You've got a gun. Shoot them.”
BM: “I want to, but they're fur-bearing. I'd need some kind of permit, wouldn't I?”
BM: “Thanks, guys. You could've given us help, but you've given us so much more.”
Road Worker1: “Hey, that's what we're here for, right?”
BM: “I'm glad this happened. It's another little reminder of why we pulled this thing. You know what their problem is? They live here, that's all. But we don't. Not anymore.
Like Bill Murray and Geena Davis in that movie, all of this makes me think I should just move out of the US.