wolf72

This happened to my wife a earlier this year and she was irate about it but at the time, I told her just accept it and move on. But the more I think about it, the more disappointed I am in UA and how inefficient and lacking in common sense UA GA's are...

As the OP correctly pointed out, what they did was wrong.

GBadger

With a small station like MSN, it's pretty easy for UA to make a correction on something like this. Mainline UA returned to MSN pretty recently, so I could see the GA's still being in regional mindset (check, check, check...). In either case, I agree that it sounds like a GA in a "my way or the highway" mindset, and the OP did not have many good options here.

OP -- I would politely write UA and let them know what happened in a concise email. They might throw some miles your way, but hopefully if nothing else they speak with the GA in question.

GrayAnderson

So will I...really, CoC notwithstanding, if you're not on a CRJ or something similar where they're logistically limited, if any airline can't accommodate a full carry-on for at least Group 1, they're doing something wrong.

Fraser

I've had this on DL. I arrived at the gate a little late for Sky Priority boarding and apparently the bins were all full on this 757 (PHX-ATL, so not buying the weight/balance issue). My rollerbag was given a mandatory bag tag which I ripped off part way down the jetway and sure enough there was huge amounts of space in both F and from what I could see in Y.

greg99

I obviously have no idea, but one possibility is that some families are fairly strict about bedtimes for little kids, and having to pick up the bag pushed her into the post-bedtime zone.

On something like this, I think OP deserves the benefit of our taking her word for it.

Greg

doge

I also got forced to check in my carry-on baggage at the gate on my UA flight SFO-SEA, while I saw many people carried with bigger package which apparently exceeded the limit...

alchemista

Thanks, this is interesting. You didn't put the full clause in here though which is:
UA reserves the right to check a Passenger’s Carry-on Baggage for any reason, including if the Carry-on Baggage cannot be safely stowed, or the Carry-on Baggage is not compliant with the Maximum Outside Linear Dimensions specified in section 2) above.

By giving those example reasons, it looks like United would be reasonable about this. Although, of course they have this complete catch-all.

In the next clause, a "diaper bag" is listed as not included in carry-on or personal item regulations. If someone wants to pay the terms-of-contract game, you could technically be OK with a large diaper bag since there is no definition of this in the contract.

Maybe I'll start traveling with diaper bags as my carry-on item with UA from now on.

btw - I tried to have the baggage claim office deliver my item with the rationale I shouldn't have to wait when I unnecessarily was forced to check my bag. That didn't go over well

Calculated time was 29 minutes waiting for my bag that United's rude desk agent cost me and several other passengers forced to wait for their baggage when it wasn't necessary.

smith16john

Nothing wrong with UA, they are simply running a business "efficiently"(as in, piss off just the right amount of people but not too many in order to generate the most revenue&profit).

Judging by the number of people (supposedly, paying pax not paid posters) spinning the facts around for UA in this very thread, UA has certainly mastered that black art and there could be a very bright future ahead of them.

Would suggest people to side with these masters by not flying them but follow ticker UAL closely which might just be the right combination to net you the most gain among airlines while cause you least trouble for your own travel.

alchemista

good idea but impractical where I live. better compromise would have been them agreeing to deliver my bag without me having to wait or come back to pickup

thanks, you were close. It's funny that people think I need to explain my family schedule in detail as if UA's behavior here was otherwise justified depending on how I needed my 29 minutes they stole from my evening...

minnyfly

DL and AA have been aggressive doing this as well. No problems with overhead space now since they are forcing gate checks well before the bins are full. Even more reason to board early and lice the gate area. Frustrating for all.

JVPhoto

Anyone who steps on a plane more than 2-3x a year is not even going to consider 29 minutes as something to become increasingly irate or dwell over.

alchemista

False. I prove you wrong. In fact, I'm probably less accepting of wasted time because I travel so much. When you travel a lot and it is work time, you try to minimize all travel time.

It's one thing when travel delays are unavoidable - it's another when it was completely unnecessary and forced on me by a silly GA.

notquiteaff

Well, in fairness, it's you who started the whole thread with "I'm livid right now due to missing seeing my son tonight "

alchemista

I think that's a fair statement to express the issue without having to detail my family's schedule out for a bunch of random people on the Internet.

What time does your family all go to work and sleep, and what evening commitments and activities do you have for each of your friends & family?

drvannostren

Westjet has been doing this however they spin it differently. They "offer" to check people's bags rather than force. People love it for the most part since they don't have to pay and for WS checking them before the bins ever fill up means less chance of a delay...better said, the delay gets put on us (the ground handlers) rather than them. It's rather frustrating to walk up to the bridge and see one of the first 10 passengers sauntering down the jetway with their tagged bag.

The other thing that gets me, this time as a passenger, is why is NO ONE ever told to use the space under the seat. I know no one WANTS to use that space, but most bags that get checked could fit under there, or a purse/backpack could be moved from the overhead under the seat to make room.