TheOneTheOnly

Maybe the solution is to adopt Amtrak's baggage policy. 3 bags freely checked, 36"x36"x36" up to 50lbs. 2 carryon items within a given size, certain personal items (briefcases, purses, diaper bags etc.) exempted from this count. Not enough space in the rickety over-priced metal tubes? Sacrifice passenger capacity for passenger convenience with larger bins. It's simple.

Often1

And rasise prices even further to acommodate the reduced capacity? Why should I with my two compliant carry-ons subsidize the guy with 3 checked + 2 carryons (including steamer trunk which is checked for free at the gate)?

My solution is exactly the reverse. Reduce the price of checked luggage declared and paid for in advance. Increase the price for gate checking (only when bag is non-compliant, not when OH is full) and have the bag routed to baggage office. Pax pays for bag + $25 penalty on arrival so doesn't delay boarding.

Often1

The allowable size has nothing to do with the specific aircraft and everything to do with each carrier's published rule (accepted and then enforced by FAA). Just because it is possible to cram a particular bag into an overhead doesn't make it compliant. In fact, it is the cramming of non-compliant roll-a-boards lengthwise into OH's which is causing the lack of OH space.

All that is needed is:
1. FAA rule with a single standard.
2. Sizer fit over the X-Ray at checkpoint. If the bag don't fit, you must acquit (I mean, go back to counter and check).
3. There will always need to be gate-checking for compliant bags on smaller aircraft and there may even be occasions when the OH on mainline are full for some odd reason. It's crazy that F and elites have to be at gate early in order to be able to wait in a seat just so they can be assured of OH space. Ought to be the other way around, allowing F + elite to board at last minute and still find OH space.

InkUnderNails

Change the bolded statement to airline supplied personnel at the entrance to the security line, and you might get my vote. It is their responsibility, let them do it, and do it before I get in the security line.

As for #1, on the BP print the maximum carry on size for that flight based on the plane being used. The entry guards, could then clear bags based on the BP info. Don't have a BP yet and checking in at the gate? Carry on must meet a standard for the specific airline.

Often1

More airline personel = more cost = higher fares at a time when carriers are looking for and finding ways to cut labor costs by automating more.

I would simply have a sizer before the entry to the checkpoint line (maybe at a couple of locations depending on size of checkpoint). Pax can check their own luggage. That way nobody (smart) goes through the wait only to find that they can't meet the sizer requirement at the machine.

InkUnderNails

Sounds good, but they won't check them. People who have bags that do not fit generally know they do not fit. They have already made a decision to not check them.

I have had to back out from the x-ray and go back to the ticket counter (I forgot something in my car and had to retrieve it.) . It is a royal PITA. You have to be escorted by an LEO or a TSO. This is guaranteed to slow security and make the lines worse.

And manning the lines will likely be less expensive than the manpower required to force gate checks. They can use contractors and share the cost.

All of the costs are borne by the passengers anyway, no matter where it is assessed.

This is not a problem on WN. I wonder why that is.

jkhuggins

Gee, maybe WN has some other means to encourage passengers to check their bags instead of bringing them on-board the aircraft, instead of the other way around ...

goalie

Agreed ^. It's not the job of the TSA to do that-plane and simple. Yes, the TSA has "mission creep" but I'm sorry, this is beyond creeping

Global_Hi_Flyer

Ah, yes, there's no problem the Government can't solve if they just take it over.

How's the Government doing on the economic and jobs front?

This isn't TSA's job, and it isn't in their charter. Leave the TSA to do what it's supposed to do, and leave the carry-on issues to the carriers. It is, after all, the carriers responsibility to set the baggage rules and allocate space in the airplane.

YOU can always find another carrier that does things the way you want them to. Or you can drive and not be bothered.

Often1

Doubt I'll be driving, but am close to certain that within 6-9 months, TSA will be handling exactly as has been reported. No need for personal attacks on FT, they don't move the ball and demean the site.

AmyJo

Has the red team failure rates improved such that the TSA
should be adding another non security function? Didn't they
stop publishing the red team numbers because they were not
improving? Pardon me if I'm not getting this lingo quite right.
Sweeping security failures under the rug is not a good sign
in any security agency of the government. It may be more
appropriate for them to do carryon checks instead of looking
for WEI.

If it would get voters motivated enough to get politicians
to get rid of TSA, I'd be for it in an instant.

jkhuggins

And you base that assertion on ... what evidence, exactly?

Often1

When I see the types and level of people discussing this issue in DC, based on my experience, this is what will happen. Buy you a beer or something stronger in 9 months if I turn out to be wrong.

jkhuggins

Fair enough.

52pickup

Make it two. A second TSO to make sure you've washed your hands after using the lavatory. After all, you might be spreading e.coli to every passenger on the plane. Please, oh mighty TSA, save us from ourselves.