Sizer templates coming back?
 

Scott McCartney thinks it might happen

As if TSA and the process isn't bad enough now. I remember (and despised) those templates for a lot of reasons - including the fact that they caused a real problem with legitimate-sized carryons and the nazi-like enforcement by some of the screeners. I can see why the airlines would like to outsource enforcement to the TSA (because the passengers see TSA as having more 'authoritay' especially with a badge) just like they have with revenue protection.

It won't happen, except at airports where a particular airline is the only airline served from that checkpoint.

Last time up, Continental sued United to have their templates removed from airports where they shared checkpoints.

It will only take one customer-focused airline (like CO, VX, B6) to scuttle this.

I recall having to bend one up until it almost broke off in order to get my bag through the x-ray at EWR back during the late 90s. My bag was fine for the CO flight I was on, but not for UA who was sharing that concourse at the time - the x-ray operator tried to insist I comply with UA's restrictions, but I just manhandled the template until my bag went through.

They might start sizing them at the gate and enforce the 2 bag rule. Those sizing templates are available at all the gates as relics from a previous era.

I have seen some women bring 4 bags with them on board and guess what - they all end up in the overhead bin :rolleyes:

I have seen men do this as well. These guys typically refuse to use the space under the seat in front of them because there "isn't enough room!" :mad:

Let's see, we're going to charge people for the first bag, then we're going to put the templates back on the x-ray machine. So, everybody trying to save $15 bucks is going to carry on their bag, and the security show will be longer. I think I'll start checking my bag (exempt per UA policy). Anybody else think they'll change their checked bag routine?

If more idiots insist on bringing the kitchen sink as carry on instead of checking it and as soon as the Airlines discover that their turnover expectations are not being met because instead of checking thier bags and PAYING for them pax are bringing more carry on - guess what - they are going to inforce the size of carry on again. That may happen faster if we see an increase of accidents with overhead storage or if we see fights for overhead space.

Seeing just how stupid and selfcentered many folks are that will probably be sooner than later.

Nope.

But it WILL slow things down. As it is now, I put both my computer bag and the gray bins in sideways to take up less space and speed the process. With the sizer, you can't do that. So it WILL take longer - and it WILL annoy the TSA as I won't proceed through the WTMD until I see the last of my stuff go into the x-ray tube.

Man, if they do this, I hope it's in conjunction with the Expert/Casual/Family lane division thing. I don't want a Tumi in the back of the head because our stroller won't go through the template when we're leaving on vacation. Thank jah we're beyond flying with a car seat.

And yeah, as is said above, when on business, I take up 2-4 bins depending on weather and the equipment I have with me. Having to put them end-to-end is going to be a hassle. Mostly for eveyone behind me.

I am sure some US airlines will try to crack the whip with regard to carry on baggage, but I am not so sure that airlines have the staffing levels to consistently enforce whatever restrictions a given airline may say it has -- perhaps that is a large part of the reason why the no-free-bags airlines may want the TSA to do the airline's bidding with regard to carry-on items.

I hope the TSA stays away from this matter .... and I also hope that the airlines (and others) wise up about how inviting the TSA into the process is like hand-feeding a rabid wolf in hope that it won't bite you too.

Other people, such as men, have been seen doing this as well. ;)

Not trying to be sexist or something :), but its women who I have noticed carrying: a handbag, a roller computer bag, a rollerboard that is too heavy to lift up and place in the overhead bin, a paper shopping bag with magazines or knick knacks. I am tired of unbuckling my seatbelt and getting off my seat to lift up someone else's rollerboard to the overhead bin. If you cannot lift it yourself then check it in.

For folks who have a rollerboard for their laptop, has it ever fit the seat in front of you? Or has it always been stuffed into an overhead compartment? :confused:

Quite true. I am sure they will strike a deal with the Feds, where TSA takes care of the bags and the airlines would do the fingerprinting of the passengers. Can you imagine the case, where one has to provide 10 fingerprints before checking in for an international flight. If the machine does not pick your prints or does not like you:eek:; stand in the queue to be fingerprinted by the one agent manning 200 kiosks and 10 international flights. :rolleyes:

I'm thinking that stopping the madness of carry-ons at the screening facility will help to expedite the boarding process.

And slow down the screening process, making the airport experience worse.

Frankly, I don't think it will expedite boarding at all because aircraft don't have space for all the passengers to bring the current permitted limits.... and because the more cramped planes get as load factors go up, the more early boarders will store both items in the overhead.

I can see fights over what constitutes a "personal item".

..... just like the "war on liquids" restrictions and requirements was supposed to speed up things too. :rolleyes: