TomA

They shouldn't. A heavy bag doesn't impact them at all. An oversize bag might.

chollie

A heavy bag can certainly impact you if it falls on you while the pax is careless while stowing it or removing it, during the flight or at takeoff/landing.

My point is that if the airline takes the initiative to start restricting cabin baggage, there's no telling where it will end.

It's easy to assume that you're reasonable and it's other people who are excessive. I don't carry laptops, electronics, medical devices, expensive jewelry or work equipment. My luggage is inexpensive, so I'm not likely to be forced to replace an expensive Tumi that doesn't quite fit in the sizers because of the wheels, or some small soft-sided duffle with a geometry that doesn't lend itself to the sizers. I never travel with garment bags or bulky coats and hats.

However, I don't assume that because I don't carry these things, everyone should be able to do without.

I prefer a common-sense approach, not an overly-restrictive one-size-fits-all approach.

I read after the liquid scare, pax departing the UK were for a short time restricted to a baggie/pockets containing travel docs and money. Everything else had to be checked. I also recall reading about the fuss in Canada when security was limiting carry-on to one small personal item.

Boarding and deplaning times were fantastic - but does anyone really want to go there?

TomA

Coincidentally, I flew to London on that very day (yes it was a nightmare), and I flew back a week later (ditto). There were lines into the street in front of LGW. But I had no problem taking my carry ons in either direction. Actually, they ALMOST made us check them on the outbound (Day 0) but they relented after considering all of the broken laptops (which I pointed out, BTW).

After an hour wait on the tarmac, British cops in yellow flack jackets took three "middle eastern looking" passengers off of my return flight. Crazy.

chollie

Wow.

I was out of the country (and out of touch) during both incidents, although I also narrowly missed being in the middle of both of them.

I can't even imagine what had to be going through everyone's mind who was actually in the middle of it all.

repus

Reading this thread, I just had a wickedly awesome idea.

A challenge for the United staff is being the bad guy. I have seen the arguments at the gate and on-board when overhead luggage doesn't fit or is too big etc.

Some background: On U2's last couple of tours, they had a somewhat unofficial volunteer group of fans to help organize the fans that were lining up out front of the venue to make sure things didn't get out of control.

I would *LOVE* for united to do something similar.

Anyone that is of premiere status or higher can volunteer to be a luggage specialist (you can have a fancy armband or hat that identifies you). Those that are in the role will help enforce United's baggage policy both at the gate and on-board the plane.

This group would be at the gate and would identify passengers that had oversized baggage and/or excessive numbers of bags. They could direct them to the United baggage policy and direct them to an agent who will help them get their bag checked.

I don't think I would ever volunteer for this personally, but I am sure there are a number of order minded individuals that would.

Silver Fox

You would think with all the fees that they want to charge that they would want people to check as much as possible and therefore simply enforce their own rules for carry-on.

I wonder if we will ever see a day when they will insist on non-wheeled carry-on only.

fastair

Ahh, "the good ole days" when suitcases could fit in any way (thinner in all dimesnsions, no "expansion" pockets) and the few cool people out there had their own fold up "wheelies" that they would put under their seat. People had 1 carry on that was smaller with only 1 handle on the side without "feet", and maybe a briefcase that fit under the seat and possibly a wheelie that fit on top of the briefcase...at most. But hey, that was the end of disco, PATCO, and hostages in Iran, the start of cocaine, Ronald Reagan, "Say no to Drugs", and frequent flyer programs. I've got mixed opinions of those years...there was no E+ and upgrades didn't exist, but a solid meal was served if you bought F and 747s had bars in them.

Rpcfly

Now that is definitely something I'd like to see back on board

SMF Rider

I have a roller bag that fits in the sizer that every great once in a while won't fit in wheels first (or last) into a bin above first class where there bins are narrower due to curvature of the plane body (less than 5% of the time on UA). Unfortunately I ran into that problem on a CO 737. I hope they fix those bins soon as I feel bad for those who board after me. However, I have earned the privilege of getting overhead storage for my rollerbag (and personal item if in the bulkhead) and I am not going to start checking my bag every time I am in first or booked on a 737 just in case it won't go in wheels first/last.

PS - I never put my coat on the floor --gross! I do wait however until the bin in which my bag is located is full before I put my suit coat on top of it (or my personal item if in the bulkhead).

1KPath

I also experienced the mess at LHR...all laptops and electronics were required to be checked (no exceptions)...when we arrived at SFO, so many bags were missing and items damaged that BA set up claims tables before and after immigration and customs to try and handle customers...the lines were out the door! Personally I lost an I-Pod and some cables for which BA reimbursed me along with a comp first class r/t ticket!

At the same time, a business associate of mine had his laptop shredded (I saw the pictures) on a UA flight to ORD...UA refused to compensate him in any way...he had to go to small claims court where he did prevail.

However, back to the main topic...until airlines get their baggage act together...minimizing lost and delayed bags and by eliminating long waits for bags (I had to wait 55 minutes last week for bags at LAX on a flight that was in the air for less than 50 minutes), you are going to have the carry on problem. When airlines accomplish this and stop charging passengers ridiculous bag fees...the problem of carry on bags will diminish greatly!

SMF Rider

Bad idea. I can easily see those volunteers getting over zealous and enforcing non-existent rules or challenging allowed items such as extras permitted for medical reasons. How many people know what the additional allowed items are? For instance, you can bring a container with an amount of food appropriate for your travel. My small, 6 pack-sized cooler has medicine in it, but just as well could have food in it. Either way it is allowed on but I have had ~2-5% of GAs, .3% of FAs and a Service Director at a Hub (for a transcon flight) challenge my "third" item. And an equal or greater # of GAs look at it askance (I am sure I would be challenged quite frequently if I wasn't a 1K or PE). Given that it is small and looks like it could be my lunch, it should never be challenged according to the rules on the UA website. FAs who create new "rules" are bad enough. I wouldn't want to have to deal with someone with a sense of self importance who was hassling me over his or her created or interpretation of rules.

TomA

This rule must have been route specific. I had my laptop for presentation at a conference and I did not check it in either direction. I had an east coast connection, however.

aisleorwindow

And you think that will DECREASE fights/arguments?

Sounds like a total nightmare. Horrible idea, IMHO.

chollie

I don't think the flight crew would go along with that.

BadgerBoi

...so no change to the status quo really...