Rude FA tries to get Captain to deplane me for asking to make space for my carry-on
Sep 21, 2018, 9:42 am
#31
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
Let me understand the logic here. The passenger who is well under the carry-on allotment is "myopic and greedy," when they don't accommodate those who exceed the carry-on allotment?
Sep 21, 2018, 9:46 am
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
The passenger has very little currency in these situations, and the airline will typically side with the employee, so your only real option is to minimize contact, keep your head down, and survive the trip... then write in. It is because most of these incidents of abuse go unreported that bad-apple employees thrive without fear.
Sep 21, 2018, 9:49 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,405
I think you may be underestimating the carry-on luggage allowance, though:
You're also allowed to bring the following items on board, in addition to your one bag and one personal item limit2:
- Jacket or umbrella
- Reading material
- Food or merchandise purchased in the airport
- Assistive devices (collapsible wheelchair, cane, one set of crutches, medical devices needed to administer prescription medications, portable oxygen concentrator, etc.)
- FAA-approved child restraint system or safety seat
- Diaper bag
- Breast pump
- Pet carrier (service charges apply for in-cabin pets)
Sep 21, 2018, 9:51 am
#34
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
Then they need to gate check it, as I've done countless times in the past... after removing any essential items.
Sep 21, 2018, 9:54 am
#35
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
I kid of course, but I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this subject. While I'm taking less than half the overhead space compared to every other passenger in the F cabin, I'll not feel a tinge of guilt for not jamming my bag under the seat in front of me.
Sep 21, 2018, 9:55 am
#36
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,656
I'm going to upset pretty much everyone on FT, but I think overhead bins should be removed, period. In a crash, bad landing, turbulence, etc., I'm of the belief that minimizing the hazard during said events is a good thing. When I fly in small airplanes, everything is belted down. In 19 years of flying small airplanes we hit turbulence so significant last Sunday that I hit my head so hard on the headliner of the airplane that it knocked my headset off. In fact I was positive I had not only destroyed my $1,000 Bose headset, I looked to see if I broke the headliner, with a tight seatbelt no less. Not a fan of anything that can cause harm in such an event, and I'm not convinced overhead bins are as secure as the FAA allows.
Sep 21, 2018, 9:57 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,405
I have never seen anyone take two massive roll-aboards onto a United flight except for a parent traveling with a young child -- and the child has the same luggage allowance as the adult. I'd expect this hypothetical person to be stopped at the gate, and, no, I'm not asking you to accommodate him.
Somehow, we have simultaneous perceptions that UA never enforces luggage rules, to the extent that people bring everything they own onto an aircraft, and yet UA is also horribly restrictive about luggage, forcing people to check anything that doesn't fit inside the sizers. I'm not sure how that works, but...
Or are you gate-checking a bag that would fit under the seat in front of you?
Sep 21, 2018, 9:59 am
#38
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,125
This discussion seems to have really degenerated. All I can figure out is there's a view out there that "because my bag is bigger than yours, I have the right to have yours (even if it's the only thing they brought on board) moved to under your seat just to accommodate me". I can't recall anyone ever offering to store another person's item under the seat in front of THEM so they can fit something in the bin.
Sep 21, 2018, 10:05 am
#41
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
Somehow, we have simultaneous perceptions that UA never enforces luggage rules, to the extent that people bring everything they own onto an aircraft, and yet UA is also horribly restrictive about luggage, forcing people to check anything that doesn't fit inside the sizers. I'm not sure how that works, but...
Sep 21, 2018, 10:11 am
#42
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Bay Area - East Bay
Programs: UA 1k, AS 75k, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 641
The size of the space under the seat is actually a few inches larger than the maximum size for a personal item on many planes. I generally travel with a M/L backpack (depending on how much is packed in it) and a small purse. My backpack is larger than the dimensions of the a personal item, and besides, my purse is my personal item. I have no qualms about putting my backpack in the overhead, despite the fact that I could probably stuff it and my purse under the seat. Why should I be punished for packing light? Should I go out and buy a larger bag, which would take up more space in the overhead just so people will think I 'deserve' to use that space?
This is all kind of off-topic though, I see nothing wrong in OP's behavior of asking about moving luggage. Having multiple people place individual items in a space is not an efficient packing algorithm, and most the the FAs I've seen are very good about tetrising the bags up there into a better arrangement. I'm kind of amazed this FA was so unhelpful, and then to escalate all the way to the captain! Agreed that goes beyond a bad day, that is not a person who is suited to their career choice.
This is all kind of off-topic though, I see nothing wrong in OP's behavior of asking about moving luggage. Having multiple people place individual items in a space is not an efficient packing algorithm, and most the the FAs I've seen are very good about tetrising the bags up there into a better arrangement. I'm kind of amazed this FA was so unhelpful, and then to escalate all the way to the captain! Agreed that goes beyond a bad day, that is not a person who is suited to their career choice.
Sep 21, 2018, 10:14 am
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,846
EXACTLY! You nailed it. The announcement and approach is that what can fit under the seat should go under the seat. This makes room for those who have something that CANNOT fit under the seat. So everyone should wait until end of boarding and if there is space then move that little stuff up top. JSLOAN- if we ever run into each other, drinks are on me.
How hard is that?
How hard is that?
Last edited by notquiteaff; Sep 21, 2018 at 10:32 am
Sep 21, 2018, 10:15 am
#44
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 776
Of course there is, it just depends on the size of those items. If your item is equal or smaller to the average available space per pax, I see no reason at all why you wouldn't be entitled to use your share of the overhead capacities.
Sep 21, 2018, 10:33 am
#45
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
"Retraining" is when they are lazy and don't move the backpack. "Fired" is when they lie to the captain to try and have a passenger offloaded. Get your terminology straight.