Idea to Increase Value of E+: Guaranteed Overhead Space
Feb 13, 2012 | 9:28 am
#16
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Would work in theory, but then consider the following:
Late arriving E+ passenger from connecting flight. Boards nearly as door is going to close.
Gate agent tries to get passenger to gate check his legal-sized roll-a-board, but passenger refuses, because policy states he is guaranteed overhead space, and then boards.
Flight attendant then locates a E- bag which needs to get "bumped" for the E+ bag. Owner of E- bag refuses to check bag, as it contains valuable camera equipment. Gate agent goes to E- bag #2, which contains passenger's medications. Bag #3, thr passengers travel documents, etc.
Flight is now delayed 10 minutes trying to make space for Mr. E+'s bag.
Just not going to happen. Especially when not even 1st Class is GUARANTEED any overhead space.
Late arriving E+ passenger from connecting flight. Boards nearly as door is going to close.
Gate agent tries to get passenger to gate check his legal-sized roll-a-board, but passenger refuses, because policy states he is guaranteed overhead space, and then boards.
Flight attendant then locates a E- bag which needs to get "bumped" for the E+ bag. Owner of E- bag refuses to check bag, as it contains valuable camera equipment. Gate agent goes to E- bag #2, which contains passenger's medications. Bag #3, thr passengers travel documents, etc.
Flight is now delayed 10 minutes trying to make space for Mr. E+'s bag.
Just not going to happen. Especially when not even 1st Class is GUARANTEED any overhead space.
Feb 13, 2012 | 9:28 am
#17
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I wish the airplane manufacturers could simply find a way to put in two plastic dividers per overhead bin, separating each into three compartments that could hold 1 small rollaboard or personal items of equivalent size, assigned by seat number. Basically, that's "your" guaranteed overhead space and whatever doesn't fit needs to be checked.
^ +1
Feb 13, 2012 | 9:31 am
#18
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I wish the airplane manufacturers could simply find a way to put in two plastic dividers per overhead bin, separating each into three compartments that could hold 1 small rollaboard or personal items of equivalent size, assigned by seat number. Basically, that's "your" guaranteed overhead space and whatever doesn't fit needs to be checked.
Feb 13, 2012 | 9:36 am
#19
Join Date: Dec 2011
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Smaller planes with shallower overhead bins, yeah, you're right.
Feb 13, 2012 | 9:39 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2010
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My personal policy is that if I am carrying two bags, one bag goes up, and the other bag stays with me. If I am only carrying one bag (even a small laptop bag), it goes up.
Feb 13, 2012 | 10:43 am
#21
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I didn't know United offered an extra class of service, the Entitled Class.
Feb 13, 2012 | 10:46 am
#22
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Regardless, I still believe that the airlines consider overhead space to be a first come first served benefit of early boarding. Some airlines even advertise it as such:
http://www.jetblue.com/flying-on-jetblue/even-more/
It would be also be a courtesy to give up your seat to someone with a less desirable seat, too--perhaps an 80 year old lady in the back; any takers? Assuming you got the seat via your status (rather than buying it), the bin issue is just a less obvious example of the same thing.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Feb 13, 2012 at 1:04 pm Reason: merge
Feb 13, 2012 | 11:07 am
#23
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I still believe that the airlines consider overhead space to be a first come first served benefit of early boarding. Some airlines even advertise it as such:
http://www.jetblue.com/flying-on-jetblue/even-more/
http://www.jetblue.com/flying-on-jetblue/even-more/
Feb 13, 2012 | 11:13 am
#24
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It promises "early access" to the bins. It doesn't guarantee that an FA isn't going to come along and ask you to move your laptop case under the seat in front of you to accommodate larger bags up top - which happens on pretty much every crowded flight I've ever been on.
I've only seen general PA announcements like, "If your carryon will fit under the seat, we would appreciate it if you moved it." I have not seen them force anyone to comply. I'm not saying that it hasn't happened--I'm sure it has--just that I have not seen it.
That said, I've seen even more cases in which the FA doesn't make any announcement at all and just says, "If you can't find a space, we are going to check it."
Feb 13, 2012 | 11:15 am
#25
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My point is FAs will often ask passengers to be considerate of others when placing their bags in the bin. I don't care if there is no rule carved in stone. We're trying to have a society here -- and to leave on time rather than wait around while the bags of tight connectors (maybe you one day) and a dozen passengers in seating area 4 are tagged at the door.
Feb 13, 2012 | 11:22 am
#26
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No need?
There is a far simpler approach.
If an aircraft has more than 90% of the seats sold, then passengers without *A elite status should be restricted to 1 carry on item.
Obviously, this wouldn't be needed for the 764, 762, or 777.
Not sure about the UA 763 or 747 as I haven't flown on them yet.
If an aircraft has more than 90% of the seats sold, then passengers without *A elite status should be restricted to 1 carry on item.
Obviously, this wouldn't be needed for the 764, 762, or 777.
Not sure about the UA 763 or 747 as I haven't flown on them yet.
You obviously haven't flown a full EWR->BOM flight before!!!
Feb 13, 2012 | 11:24 am
#27
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Airlines are an EXTREMELY hierarchical society, and I don't see many people here arguing to change that with regard to the other benefits. This one issue seems to be an exception. (Why not just rotate the E+ seating, after all?)
Feb 13, 2012 | 12:01 pm
#29
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Hahaha... OK.
I'm just not for forcing the issue down anyone's throat. If I have a seat in front, and the item fits, fine. But in many cases, one or both of those are not true.