Oversized personal items
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Brussels
Programs: M&M SEN, IHG Plat, Herts PC, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7
Oversized personal items
Hey guys,
This post is more for the European members, but I've seen a big increase in people taking extremely large backpacks (e.g. Swiss gear, Tumi Shaw,...) on board of European flights as personal items in addition to a full sized carry on. I have yet to see the first to be denied boarding or request to gate check the carry on.
What are your thoughts? are you seeing the same trend? Have you seen people being spoken to about it?
I'm not even going into the discussion if they are putting those big backpacks under the seat or not....
Thanks for the feedback!
This post is more for the European members, but I've seen a big increase in people taking extremely large backpacks (e.g. Swiss gear, Tumi Shaw,...) on board of European flights as personal items in addition to a full sized carry on. I have yet to see the first to be denied boarding or request to gate check the carry on.
What are your thoughts? are you seeing the same trend? Have you seen people being spoken to about it?
I'm not even going into the discussion if they are putting those big backpacks under the seat or not....
Thanks for the feedback!
#2
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: RDU
Programs: Status? What's status?
Posts: 211
I saw somebody on a recent flight board with a regular rollerboard carry-on as well as an enourmous North Face duffle bag that had straps so it could be worn as a backpack. Neither of the bags would be anywhere close to fitting under the seat, and it was definitely well past the normal defintion of a backpack as a personal item but neither the GA or FA even seemed to notice. I've also seen the trend of people taking really big softsided bags that are way bigger than the allowed dimensions for a carry-on, but sadly nobody seems to question the size of non-rollerboard carry-on bags.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: AGH
Posts: 5,979
What I see quite regularly is, that e.g. for SAS in CPH the GA will walk around the gate area and tag peoples over-sized bags (doesn't matter if carry-on or a so called personal item) before even boarding starts. Depends on the mood of the GA if they will be put in the hold or just tagged for delivery at the aircraft.
#6
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50K (*G), Westjet Gold
Posts: 788
I think its becoming an issue everywhere. In my experience, most GAs only care about wheeled bags, and people have caught on - small wheeled bag, but a massive backpack, hoping they don't notice...
#7
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NSW, Australia
Programs: Qantas, Velocity
Posts: 16
I wouldn’t try it at LAX. I once saw a man throwing a tantrum, hurling his carry on down the jetway and refusing to check it, because he was told it was oversized and he wpuldnt accept it. Thankfully I was exiting a nearby gate and not one of the poor souls suffering this scene at his gate.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,225
#9
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Peoria
Programs: Southwest, Best Western Gold, La Quinta, Dollar
Posts: 819
I was on a flight with a bunch of college kids and each of them brought a guitar on board with them. Of course, this was in addition to their primary luggage, their rollerbags. Obviously the guitars weren't going to fit under the seats... Pity the poor chumps who boarded late and found the OH bins filled with guitars.
#10
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: AGH
Posts: 5,979
The crew was okay with removing the guitars and send them to the hold, actually the purser called the GA quite annoyed and asked why they didn't took them away during boarding.
No, idea if the guitars were damaged, but too be honest. I don't care! Just buy a decent hard case (ideally a rectangular one, not the guitarshaped) and they will be fine.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,307
#12
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
People will try everything they can and sometimes get burnt over it and then post reviews how .... the airline is and unfair the fare structure because they paid so much to gate check. Um yeah.
I myself spent quite a few hours this last week searching for the perfect personal item, I will post a review of the Fjällräven Kånken Laptop 15" when it shows up. Teaser trailer: it fits both Air Canada and United personal item restrictions and is quite close to be the largest to do so.
I myself spent quite a few hours this last week searching for the perfect personal item, I will post a review of the Fjällräven Kånken Laptop 15" when it shows up. Teaser trailer: it fits both Air Canada and United personal item restrictions and is quite close to be the largest to do so.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,689
My custom built bass goes into a custom fitted pelican gun case. I can part with it while it sits in the baggage hold.
If you are a really, really good musician you can fly private and put your guitar almost anywhere you want. Next tier's guitar gets their own seat.
If you are a really, really good musician you can fly private and put your guitar almost anywhere you want. Next tier's guitar gets their own seat.