Thought I'd throw this out on FT and see what the the thoughts are.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.2870:

The TSA? Forget it.

Mike

I'm more of a "get rid of overhead bins and only allow one item not larger than 40 linear inches" kind of guy...

On a recent NW flight I saw someone carrying what must have been at least a 24" suitcase as carryon. If there is some way to avoid that kind of stuff, I am open to it.

yup but if it does ever happen, it will be a bloody nightmare as we will have the i.d. police and then the baggage police

I'm more of a "get the government out of micro-managing our lives" kind of guy. Let the airlines have their policies, and let them enforce them as they see fit.

The last thing the TSA needs is another distraction from its core mission of keeping weapons and bombs off commercial aircraft.

I encourage everyone to let their elected representatives know what a horrible idea this is.

Actually, the core mission of the TSA is to expand their power base.

Actually I believe this would make TSA's job easier in fact. Carry-on screening is one of the bottlenecks in any airport currently. It is far easier, cheaper & faster to screen checked luggage than it is to try & rush through the carry-on screening while someone stands there.

We have seen recent developments in TSA approved laptop carriers where they can go thru the X-ray machine without having to be removed. I think developing TSA approved carry-on bags is the next logical step. (Remember we all adopted to the 1-2-3 liquid carryon issue) It will speed up screening at the checkpoint. Airlines can develop better overhead storage systems and we can all maybe quit fighting the Overhead Bin Full issues and others that have become major flash points.

With all that said. I also think airlines need to be held to higher standards as far as checked luggage goes. They need to assume more liability as far as lost luggage, damaged luggage and such. Also there needs to be minimum & maximum times as far as how long they have to get the luggage out to the baggage carousel. They have 30min cutoff times for us to check in. They should be held to something like ALL LUGGAGE will be inside on the carousel within 30 mins of the Planes door opening. I know the cargo doors are open & the rampers are working on baggage before the 1st passenger steps off that plane. If I knew that all bags would be on the carousel within 30mins, I could get off the plane without feeling rushed. Stop for a Potty Break, get a soda or even maybe check on my rent-car before getting my bags. Overall hopefully a less stressful time.

As this proposal would give TSA a key role, please follow the discussion in our Travel Safety/Security forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

Somewhere recently on FT there was a post about TSOs having passengers remove their laptop from TSA approved laptop carriers. Don't know if it was a one time instance or if it is still happening.

I agree that the Airlines NOT TSA should be responsible for carry-on bags and the only way they could effectively do this is have more personnel at the gate. Someone or a party shows with more than the authorized number and or or size and the excess is checked at the gate or they are denied boarding that flight.

TSA-designed luggage:

Stupid. Stupid. And more stupid.

This is a business decision, not a government decision.

If an airline wants to deal with a larger, smaller, or no carryon, it is their business.

We are allowing the airlines the easy way out. The recent carryon increase is due to the implementation of checked baggage fees.

Now that checked baggage is down, I'm sure that the revenue intake is not where it was projected to be, and at least one of the airlines wants to drive $$ back into carryon fees.

Who wants to bet that one or more airlines lobbied congress to help them out with their revenue in these troubled times? Someone is too timid to enforce their own rules because they just might chase business away to a more accommodating competitor.

Much easier to blame it on a "TSA Regulation". Some of the FAs have been spouting this line for a long time.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Soon to be followed by matchng TSA approved clothing.

No, I don't think such good idea to change the policies are in effect.