DelrayChris

This happen to anyone else?

mahasamatman

The choice is whether to gate-check or hold-check. If the ticket counter template was the right size, his guitar would have ended up in the hold, which is a terrible place for something like that, not to mention the additional cost that he would have incurred.

Ripper3785

I don't this is really about checking a guitar. Just a quip at the United breaks guitars deal.

As far as gate-check vs. hold check.. If you check something at the gate besides a stroller or similar for a non-express flight, don't you get to pick it up at baggage claim?

WineCountryUA

for mainline operations, yes -- they can check through to the destination

flyinbob

I've said it before. If your bag does not fit in the overhead bin wheels or handle FIRST (the long way), then it is a checked bag. Period. The measurement that really matters is the length. If it is longer than the bin is deep, it goes below. THAT is what they need to enforce.

StingWest

Yes, and that measurement on a 767, which I think may be the largest plane with the least depth in the overheads) appears to be 23-1/4". On my Monday ORD-LHR, I was *just* able to shut the bin and be wheels first. Just measured the length including wheels, and that's what it comes out to.

Many bags advertised as 22" long are actually 2"-3" longer, which may lead to the problems we see on 767's. Actually though, as I think about it, what really leads to the problem (and the resentment of other passengers) is people seeing what they can get away with to avoid the checked bag fee! If the sizing was a bit more strictly enforced, and at security rather than the gate like at European airports, everything would operate more smoothly.

n9536j

I for one do not want my tax dollars or PFC's being spent enforcing airline policy.

mahasamatman

You pay for it one way or the other, because if the airline doesn't enforce it and they get caught, they are fined pretty heavily. And of course, those costs get passed on to everyone.

StingWest

Whether it be added security fees or additional airline personnel, you're already paying for it IMHO. More so because of the incredible inefficiency of the current process where a percentage of bags are brought back through the plane and are gate-checked when they don't fit. This just doesn't seem to happen in Europe..

Miles Ahead

Absolutely correct. Drives me crazy.

tods27

One major reason for Europe being better is that they use a weight, not size, limit for cabin baggage and are much better about enforcing it. No "template", they just tell you to put it on the scale and it it's too heavy, they check it. It's not always enforced - I find that LH stations other than FRA are much more vigilant- but it is way more consistent than the US airlines policy.

StingWest

That's true as well! I remember one trip, LHR to Madrid (SpanAir?), I was queuing for check-in and noticed a sign showing a ludicrously low weight limit for my allowed carry-on - which was quite small physically. I quickly removed my laptop and carried it inconspicuously under my arm while they weighed the bag - coming in just under.

flyinbob

What difference does weight make? Whether in the cabin or below, what matters is the area taken up by the item. The weight is the same in the cabin or below, but the cabin has bins that are of a particular size. How is a weight factor better?

mahasamatman

The overhead bins are rated by weight.

We once flew JK (I think) and they said my rollaboard was overweight. So I transferred stuff to my backpack, which they did not weight, and I passed. I then transferred everything back to the rollaboard.