My bags are within limits.

The problem is several fold.

1) It makes TSA the enforcers, like they've become revenue protectors with the ID checks.

2) Some airlines have different limits than others (some are specified as linear inches, some are specified as max H, max W, max L)

3) Odd shaped items will be a problem and cause a delay

4) anything that's legal but "out of the ordinary" will cause a delay as it gets resolved - backing the line up

5) the sizers prevent folks from putting the bins or a laptop bag sideways on the belt, taking up more space and slowing the process down as many folks wait until their stuff disappears into the chute before going through the WTMD

6) even small stuff must be centered on the belt. Can't casually drop shoes on there any more without making sure it's carefully centered.

Even though I'm within limits (even pass BAA's strict tests at LHR), I remember how much longer and harder it was when the templates were on before. UA made security put them on at SAT - in the same terminal that WN operated from. You currently have to plan on 30 minutes or more to get through security (the airport says the other SAT terminal has hour-plus waits for security). Even if everyone had the right bags, it would still be slowing the line down 20%.... adding another 12-15 minutes to the wait. Unacceptable.

Another problem will be to determine whether to charge the person $15 or $25 at the gate. If the person already checked one bag, then the fee for the gate-check should be $25. If no other bags were checked, then the fee is only $15. What a mess, as was said.

I am still amazed at how many very small pieces of luggage come off the checked luggage carousel at baggage claim. My guess is that half of these will be carried on if the passenger will be charged for them. Thus, much more carry on luggage in the same finite amount of room for carry on luggage.

John

I don't know, I'm sure they could just have the number of bags checked in the computer - wouldn't take more than a few seconds to figure out the fee. As for the small pieces of luggage, you're right to some extent, but I also bet a lot of them are toiletry kits filled with liquids that can't be carried on.

Or my bag coming in from London with bottles of Really Good Scotch Whisky (I put 2 in my suitcase, another 2 in a small shoulder bag to spread the risk).

Hey, get your cotton-pickin' hands off that conveyor belt!

It was the other way around! Gordon Bethune made this his pet project to remove the templates on the security belts and then changed out all the overhead bins to bigger ones. CO then went after the business traveler by telling them we had bigger overhead bins and we welcomed their rolling bags. All of this was over 10 years ago and things have dramatically changed.

Don't be surprised to see the sizing box come back to the gate area and the boarding agent asking that each bag be placed in the box, checking those that don't fit.

Hey all, I've been reading FT for a while and finally had to register to comment on this $15 nonsense. Along with all the confusion about which bags will be charged at the gate and how they will be handled...what about the tiny planes that are used for regional flights? When I know I'm going to be on a plane with one set of seats on the left and two on the right, I know my (otherwise regulation sized) bag won't fit, so I check it pre-security so as not to have to deal with it. Now, am I going to have to take it through security and roll it to the gate, to be told by the gate agent that it won't fit in the overhead? Will I be charged for that?

The idea of charging for luggage due to high gas costs isn't a crazy idea. But the way the airlines have chosen to implement it is possibly the worst method one could dream up. Why not just charge by the pound for all luggage, regardless of whether it's in cargo or the passenger cabin? It's using just as much gas.

And even then, you'll be at the whim of gate agents. I ended up in a dispute with a GA at CVG one time that I had to escalate to a supervisor. The bag fit the sizer, but putting the bag in sideways meant the soft flap side "bulged" a bit (it was a non-issue if the bag were on its back). GA said "if it even touches the side, it's gotta be checked". We went round and round and I told her to call a supervisor.

Between the supe and a complaint to DL, that wasn't an issue again, but I can see it being so if the GAs are rewarded based on revenue they bring in.

The logistics of collecting money at the gate (or at the bottom of the jetway; or the bottom of the stairs out on the tarmac) would be difficult. That probably won't stop the airlines from trying.

I can see it now; cash only, "exact change is always appreciated," or else your bags stay behind!