Refusing to handle other people's luggage in the overhead bin?
Aug 1, 2018, 8:39 am
#16
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 5,926
). If I couldn't lift it, I wouldn't bring it. On many occasions, men offer (unsolicited) to get my bag down for me, which I am happy to let them do, but I ALWAYS warn them that it's heavy.
Aug 1, 2018, 8:56 am
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,271
Most airlines have a line in their T&Cs that reads something like this one from Air Canada: "
People of any gender who expect others to handle this job for them are not worthy of any help or sympathy whatsoever in my opinion. You brought it on board, you deal with it. If someone wants to give a more polite response than just a simple 'no', I can understand that. I suggest this: 'Sorry, not in my job description', delivered with a smile. That will leave the person confused as to what you meant but clear on the fact that you aren't going to do it.
- Your carry-on baggage must be light enough that you can store it in the overhead bin unassisted."
People of any gender who expect others to handle this job for them are not worthy of any help or sympathy whatsoever in my opinion. You brought it on board, you deal with it. If someone wants to give a more polite response than just a simple 'no', I can understand that. I suggest this: 'Sorry, not in my job description', delivered with a smile. That will leave the person confused as to what you meant but clear on the fact that you aren't going to do it.
Aug 1, 2018, 9:39 am
#18
In memoriam
Join Date: Dec 2001
Programs: DL 2MM, AA MM, DL Sky Club Life, AA Admirals Club Life, Hilton Gold Life
Posts: 1,732
Our trip next week in D1 ought to be interesting. My wife won't let me use my right arm since my latest heart operation, so she intends to handle the larger bags in the overhead. She has been known to grunt a bit hoping that some nice strong man or FA will help, while I just hang my head in shame and push with my left hand.
Aug 1, 2018, 9:57 am
#19
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Do it or don't do it as you choose. No need to tell silly lies, just say something which amounts to a polite "no".
Only time this matters is when it turns out to be the person conducting the final interview for a superb job paying triple what you are making now !
Only time this matters is when it turns out to be the person conducting the final interview for a superb job paying triple what you are making now !
Aug 1, 2018, 10:33 am
#20
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: Delta, United, Air Canada, American, Jet Blue
Posts: 1
As a woman, I’ve watched far too many women struggle to put their luggage into the overhead. In my 30’s, 40’s and fifties, I was able to get my own luggage in the overhead without too much trouble. Now in my 60’s, I believe if you can’t lift it up there yourself, you shouldn’t be bringing it on. It’s nice that folks offer to help, but you shouldn’t count on it. You can’t lift it, then check it.
Aug 1, 2018, 12:25 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: UA 1P
Posts: 545
That's why I prefer a bright smile and a "No, thank you!" response.
Passenger: "Can you grab my bag from three rows behind you?"
Me (bright smile): "No, thank you!"
It befuddles people so profoundly they end up asking someone else. Works for seat changes too:
Passenger: "Would you mind taking my middle seat in E- so I can sit with my spouse?"
Me (bright smile): "Oh, no thank you!"
Passenger: "Can you grab my bag from three rows behind you?"
Me (bright smile): "No, thank you!"
It befuddles people so profoundly they end up asking someone else. Works for seat changes too:
Passenger: "Would you mind taking my middle seat in E- so I can sit with my spouse?"
Me (bright smile): "Oh, no thank you!"
Aug 1, 2018, 12:41 pm
#22
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
I will always help people who struggle to get their bags in and out of the overhead. Most people do in my experience. The sooner they get help, the sooner they get seated and the sooner the plane takes off so. Everybody benefits. Same with disembarking, helping others gets everyone off faster.
The only acceptable reason to decline is because you physically can't lift someone else's bag. Otherwise make the effort because it helps everyone get to their destination smoothly.
The only acceptable reason to decline is because you physically can't lift someone else's bag. Otherwise make the effort because it helps everyone get to their destination smoothly.
Aug 1, 2018, 1:26 pm
#23
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Nevada Ohio Florida
Programs: WN A+, CP, HH Diamond, National EE
Posts: 44
I agree. Why is it any sort of issue to help your fellow passengers? Maybe they could have done a little better. Still, helping others is a virtue.
Aug 1, 2018, 1:44 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: AA, UA, DL, NSA, CIA, MIB
Posts: 537
Clearly that person who asked for help knew they had over packed beyond the weight they could manage. Every time I see someone struggling to put their bag in the overhead I think they should have known better.
If you had to put your bag in the overhead a few rows behind yours then wait till you have an opening to go there.
If you had to put your bag in the overhead a few rows behind yours then wait till you have an opening to go there.
Aug 1, 2018, 2:09 pm
#25
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Houston
Programs: UA 1K and Million Miler, *A Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hertz Five Star,
Posts: 1,301
As a woman, I’ve watched far too many women struggle to put their luggage into the overhead. In my 30’s, 40’s and fifties, I was able to get my own luggage in the overhead without too much trouble. Now in my 60’s, I believe if you can’t lift it up there yourself, you shouldn’t be bringing it on. It’s nice that folks offer to help, but you shouldn’t count on it. You can’t lift it, then check it.
Aug 1, 2018, 2:10 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,304
Speak for yourself. I'm female, 5'2", and 115 lbs and can lift my often densely packed and quite heavy rollaboard into the overhead bin without assistance or "looking bad" (whatever that implies?? ). If I couldn't lift it, I wouldn't bring it. On many occasions, men offer (unsolicited) to get my bag down for me, which I am happy to let them do, but I ALWAYS warn them that it's heavy.
). If I couldn't lift it, I wouldn't bring it. On many occasions, men offer (unsolicited) to get my bag down for me, which I am happy to let them do, but I ALWAYS warn them that it's heavy.
Aug 1, 2018, 2:51 pm
#27
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
I will continue to help. I will also continue to regard physically capable people who would refuse to help out of some twisted sense of self-righteousness to be complete (expletive deleted.)
Aug 1, 2018, 3:08 pm
#28
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: DAL
Posts: 1,447
For US airlines the unassisted rule is for the exit row only. I have seen FA's start and then stop assisting with a statement they cannot assist a passenger who is sitting in an exit row due to FAA regulations.
Aug 1, 2018, 4:30 pm
#29
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: California
Programs: AS,WN,UA,B6,hotels
Posts: 4,239
I'm a bit shorter at 5'. I also warn the seated person below my bag in the aisle when putting it away or taking it down. I have asked the aisle person to step out for a second or wait until it is vacant so I can wrangle it. There are some bins which are a bit higher and I need to step onto the bar below the seat if it is available (usually Asian carrier) or even step onto the seat to make sure it clears everyone else's heads.
Aug 1, 2018, 5:07 pm
#30
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 5,926
Some newer airline seats (not limited to Asian carriers) have steps built into the side of the aisle seat, presumably specifically to help shorter people reach the overhead bins. In the example below, the aisle seat with the step is on the right side of the image (but would be on the left side from the point of view of someone sitting in it).