Carry-on crackdown: United enforces bag size limit

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-EXCITE

By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ

NEW YORK (AP) - United Airlines is getting tough on passengers with oversized carry-on bags.

The Chicago-based airline has installed new bag-sizers at most airports. It also emailed its frequent fliers, reminding them of its rules on carry-on size. United says there is no change in policy - just a campaign to improve passenger awareness.

Some of United's new sizers are located prior to security checkpoints. As of Saturday, employees contracted by the airline are sending passengers whose bag exceeds the dimensions for carry-ons back to the ticket counter, where they check the bag and pay a $25 fee. Airlines have traditionally asked people with oversized bags to check them at the gate, but waived the $25 fee at that point.

Some travelers are suggesting this is part of a larger attempt by United to collect more fees. The airline says it's simply trying to speed up the boarding process.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140304/DACB1PUO3.html

[yeoman6987]

1. I like this

I am so sick and tired of having people with their huge piece of "carry on" luggage climbing all over me trying to get their luggage on the plane. I may get some heck from saying this but I definitely agree with this decision.

[Lasher]

11. I've seen hapless passengers in the aisle seat fearing they'd be crushed to death by a steamer trunk

that some asshole was trying to cram into the compartment above their heads. I'm with you, Yeoman. It's true that United's motivation is getting the extra bucks, otherwise they'd waive the fee as they used to do. Regardless, this rule needs to be enforced all the time.

[hedgehog]

2. As long as the rules are enforced fairly, all power to them!

Nothing is worse than getting to your seat only to find the overhead full of other people's "carry-ons".

[enlightenment]

5. Worse is when said people

with the over-sized "carry-on" drop it on your head as they attempt to dislodge it from the overhead bin. This usually happens when the person is standing two rows away from the bin because they couldn't shove it into "their" bin.

Or the people who drop it on your head while attempting to shove it into the bin.

My favorite recent moment was watching someone come unglued when the flight attendant removed their oversized bag from the bin, held it up (both hands required - it probably weighed 30 pounds) and announced that it would be gate checked.

*sputter gasp outrage* from the owner, who haughtily announced that the "never" checked their luggage because they were a "busy professional". The flight attendant said, "well, you do now."

The pleasing memory of the pout on that petulant "professional's" face made the four hour flight endurable.

[MBS]

24. I wish I'd been there.

It must have been a great moment.

[amandabeech]

43. Is there a video of that?

I'd pay good money to see it.

If I were on that plane, I would've passed my knit hat for that flight attendant.

And I fly United almost every time I fly.

[enlightenment]

47. I wish. :)

It was classic.

[frazzled]

7. To be fair

Everybody is bringing their carry-ons on because the airlines instituted a policy in which people are charged $50 round trip to check a piece of luggage (which, especially if it's older, is probably worth way less than that).

This is not economically feasible for most of us, so we've learned to pack smart. I went out and invested in the best carry-on luggage I could find (and afford; I found a piece on sale): I figured I would make the money back on it if I flew just 3 times. And yes, it absolutely conforms to the size limit allowed on domestic flights. (It's two inches too big for Europe, however.)

It's true that once in a while people bring on a too-big bag. But that is a small problem compared to the fact that almost everybody on a flight is bringing a roll-aboard on and stowing it above. That's why, unless you board early, you may not find room. I blame it on the airline's greed.

[caraher]

13. Yes

The usual policy is exactly backward - they should charge for carry-on luggage and let you check 1 or 2 bags free. They've created a massive economic incentive to carry on everything when they should make checking luggage more attractive.

[Gormy Cuss]

16. Yep.

If they simply went back to allowing the first bag checked for free they'd reduce boarding time because there would be less competition for bin space. As it is now, my most frequent root has complimentary bag checking at the gate on most flights because United knows that they run out of bin space on that destination.

I used to check my rollaboard unless I had to make a quick connection at the other end. Now I either carry it on board or take the free gate check.

[yellowcanine]

18. Airlines and passengers are both at fault but it is up to the airlines to fix this problem.

The airlines should charge a bit more for tickets and quit charging extra for bags and more importantly they should get serious about improving their baggage handling procedures so that bags don't get lost and if they do the passenger gets their ticket cost reimbursed for THAT flight in cash - no vouchers. And also get serious about getting bags into the terminal faster after a flight. Fact is even before the airlines charged for checked bags the carry on rules were widely ignored by passengers and rarely enforced. So the fact that airlines are now getting more strict sure looks like a money grab. If airlines were serious about this, they would PAY people to check their bags and then strictly enforce the carry on size AND number limit. The current policy has so many loopholes it is nuts. People walk onto planes with large shopping bags, mammoth purses and brief cases AND a "carry-on" bag. And then they want to stuff it all into the overhead bin. The "no personal items in the overhead bin" rule is also rarely enforced, except sometimes on maxed out flights. But if the rules were enforced on sizes and numbers there would be room for the occasional briefcase for people who need the extra legroom under the seat.

I can understand why flight attendants don't want to get into arguments with individual passengers but there has to be zero tolerance for not following the rules - even one passenger flouting the rules can slow down boarding and unloading for everyone - let alone the number you see bending the rules on nearly every flight. My favorite was a lady who stuck her carry on into the measurement device vertically instead of horizontally and said "See, it fits." To the credit of the attendants they were having none of it and made her check the bag.

[davidpdx]

40. I don't know, I agree about enforcing the rules

But raising ticket prices no. They have already gone through the roof. I live in South Korea and am looking at tickets to get to Seattle or Portland and the minimum I'm seeing right now is $1,500.

I agree that people are cramming too much crap into the overhead bins.

I usually bring one big piece of luggage with me, a backpack and a laptop (if I really have to use one while I'm away). The suitcase is pretty much empty on the way over. I shop for clothes and books in the US and will get my suitcase pretty close to the max weight. I only make the trip every 2-3 years. By the time I pay for airfare, hotels (or a guest house), renting a car for a few days, meal, etc. the trip ends up costing $5,000 (that includes a ticket for my wife) for a couple weeks.

It makes me not want to travel

[RobinA]

23. Really

This is an airline-created problem. Stop charging fees to check bags and STOP STEALING from them. Problem solved.

[former9thward]

3. It may be an attempt to collect more fees but it is welcome.

It is a pain when the boarding process is stalled by people trying to jam their life's possessions in the overhead bin. People overpack for travel anyway.

[jberryhill]

4. Bra-vo!

My carry-on is just under the maximum allowable dimensions, and I am amazed at what some people will bring on.

The worst offenders are other elite FF tier fliers who know they are going to get boarding priority and a first crack at the bins. They should know better but, in fact, use their advantage in the boarding process to intentionally take up more bin space than they are entitled.

[dhill926]

6. good….

and I'm sure the other airlines will soon follow suit...

[titaniumsalute]

8. It's both

They don't have any problem collecting more fees...

However, I travel a lot and frankly see ridiculousness of the sized bags people try to shove in the overhead. It is insane. If it speeds up boarding so I'm not late somewhere than fine.

For people complaining about bag fees...think about shipping clothes FedEx of UPS ground. It many times is cheaper.

[SoapBox]

9. You'll never see anyone stopped at Delta.

They have all sorts of rules but the employees are too scared to stop anyone...if the person complains, mgmt. will harass the employee with crap like "...ya, the bags were too many or too big but your demeanor offended them"...something like that.

Like the other airlines they put on the monied people first and then the last ones on can suck an egg.

[Swede Atlanta]

10. I wish Delta would do this......

As others have posted, elite frequent flyers, even if they are seated in economy and have a seat toward the back of the aircraft, cram their oversized bags into the overhead bins toward the front of the economy cabin.

I am not an elite frequent flyer so I get to my seat with just a messenger bag with a laptop and reading book in it but I cannot get it in the overhead bin because someone at the back of the bus has taken the space that should be for me and my closest seat mates to use.

If the airlines don't stop this before a passenger gets through security and do this only at the gate then I think they should charge double for checking the bag.

The problem is they won't do anything to rile an elite frequent flyer.

[hugo_from_TN]

14. If you only have one small bag - please put it under the seat!

This is announced by the FAs on every flight but people still try to stuff overhead.

[StatGirl]

17. I used to do that, but I've stopped

The airlines are cramming the seats so close together that a.) There is not enough foot room with the bag under the seat, and b.) I can't get it down there anyway because there's not enough room between the edge of the seat and the seatback in front.

(I have a squishable tote bag, which can fit under most seats with no problem.)

[Art_from_Ark]

36. Sometimes the arrangement of seats makes it hard to do that

For example, on my most recent flight, the anchoring post of the seat in front of me was in a very awkward position, making it impossible for me to comfortably move my legs, much less put my carry-on bag down there.

[TeamPooka]

12. I have always wanted "express flights" bookable only for frequent fliers....

who know what they are doing on a plane.
Then we can have regular flights for people who fly once a decade and bring the kitchen sink in their carry-ons.
Like the supermarket.

[seattledo]

27. I'm sorry you have to fly with us peons.

I only fly about 15 times a year so I don't have status nor have I ever gotten anything for free for those miles. I'm sorry you have to be on the same plane as me. But seriously, your attitude sounds very Republican.

[TeamPooka]

28. I'm sorry too.

You're good at condemning someone.
You should be a Republican.

[MillennialDem]

15. All I bring for carry on is my laptop backpack (and laptop), 2 changes of clothes, hairbrush, and

toothbrush.

Everything else either gets checked or purchased when I get to my destination, including all liquids (like toothpaste).

Absolutely sick of jackasses trying to jam rolling luggage into the overhead bins - my biggest fear at 6'2 is having to fit my laptop bag under the seat (thankfully never had to do this, but been awful close a few times). Damn shorties don't understand - I had a flight attendant say "oh you can fit it under the seat" (she was about a foot shorter than me). No I can't.

Same flight attendant also told me to return my seat to the upright position as I was reclined and so was the person in front of me "I can't" "yes you can" "not until the person in front of me "unreclines""

[olddad56]

19. maybe United could drop the baggage fee, and more people would check their bags.

If I'm traveling with a carry on, and I don't feel like paying the baggage fee, I just take the bag with me through security. Then when they begin boarding, thy always ask if anyone would be willing to gate check their carry on for free. Then I just let them gate check my bag. Round trip, I save $50. If my son is flying with me, I save a $100.

If their was no baggage fee, I would check it at the counter and not have to take it through security.

[yellowcanine]

20. Amen to that. The current system is broken.

Raise the ticket prices a bit - get rid of the checked baggage fee and strictly enforce the carry-on rules, to the point that you cannot even get to the gate with a carry-on which hasn't passed muster for size.

[Travis_0004]

29. Its unlikely to happen.

If they dropped the fee, but raised the price, a lot of people might buy tickets with other airlines, since their advertized price is more expensive, even if the actual cost after fees is the same.

Also, there are a lot of taxes on airline tickets, but fees don't have any special taxes, so by charging it as a fee, the airline pays less in taxes.

[dipsydoodle]

21. Maybe those who don't like it

should just use another airline.

[Art_from_Ark]

37. This kind of regulation is quickly adopted by other airlines

It's monkey see, monkey do in the airline industry. For example, baggage restrictions on trans-Pacific flights have been getting worse and worse for all airlines that I have traveled with or looked into. Restrictions for checked baggage have gone from 2 free bags, up to 70 pounds each, to 2 free bags, up to 50 pounds each, to one free bag, up to 50 pounds. That just encourages people to bring excess baggage into the cabin.

[amandabeech]

44. Those of us who travel to rural areas often don't have any choice.

Federal subsidies for flights into underserved areas only cover one airline.

[dipsydoodle]

45. I appreciate that's different

Max size on EU major airlines is 22in x 18in x 10in - smaller on EU economy airlines. Any larger and it automatically goes to hold.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

22. SHEEPle SHEEPle Move faster! Even Faster! MOOOve

BAA, BAA.

I hate flying these days.

[DeSwiss]

32. +1000

- And by the sounds of the baaing around here, many are in complete agreement with the ''shepard.'' That is until its time to make mutton.......









I refuse to fly. TSA eat your heart out!

[adirondacker]

34. Flying is a regressively subsidized luxury that many take for granted.

"According to Glaeser, those who make more than $100,000 per year fly ten times more than those who make $50,000 per year."

http://usa.streetsblog.org/2013/03/12/while-amtrak-subsidies-draw-fire-from-congress-aviation-gets-a-free-pass/

The only time in airline industry history that the airlines were consistently profitable was when they were regulated by the government, which told them where to fly and how much to charge. Deregulation was in part to blame for scores of airline Chapter 9 and Chapter 11 filings. Remember TWA, Pan Am, Eastern, PeoplExpress, SkyBus, Independence Air, National, Aloha, Midway, ATA, and the rest?

"Airline tickets cost way less than they used to. As the American Airlines schedule shown above shows, in 1961 AA charged $218 round-trip to fly between New York and San Francisco, about what it costs today when there's a sale. And that included a steak dinner and pilots wings for the kiddies. But that was in 1961, when you could buy a new car for under $1000.

There is still overcapacity in the worldwide airline industry. Airlines will not be profitable until there are fewer seats, and until most of those seats are chasing the "must-fly" passenger (for example, someone relocating overseas—you cannot drive from New York to Paris).

Some industry observers believe that the only solution is world-wide consolidation. You know those airline alliances—OneWorld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance? Imagine if they were airlines—the only three airlines. Then you'd see the airlines get pricing power. And perhaps we'd see better service. "

http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/8072178/airlines-make-billions-in-fees-yet-still-lose-billions-some-thoughts/

[YOHABLO]

25. It really has become ridiculous the way people will see how far they can go with baggage.

People just don't want to be inconvenienced in having to go and get their luggage .. so they see how big they can go with carry-on. We're crammed-in like sardines anyway .. and to have someone try and store a 50lb huge "carry-on" in the over head is ridiculous. People just need to abide by the rules .. I am in favor of airlines getting tougher on folks.

[GP6971]

26. I have no problem with this

it has been abused for so long. I'm sure many will object due to their checked baggage fees

[riverwalker]

30. amen

sick of these idiots feigning ignorance when there are signs all over the place about the size limits of carry ons. I have a small wheeled tote I have carefully measured to comply, yet see these slobs with huge bags schlepping on board slowing everything down.

[DeSwiss]

31. However, a United Airlines spokesperson said they would continue their......

...liberal policy of breaking the shit out of guitars.

[JDPriestly]

33. I flew for 5 hours on a United plane squeezed in a middle seat. It was Hell for me.

I'm short and a bit claustrophobic.

I have problems with things like leg cramps and restless legs.

I was such a nervous wreck by the time I finally finished that flight that I nearly jumped out of my seat.

I like to fly Southwest Airlines. I don't know whether the seats are larger or what, but I feel more comfortable.

[Art_from_Ark]

38. If you think that's bad, try 14 hours on a trans-Pacific flight

squeezed between two fat guys who were both occupying their space and part of yours, too.

[roody]

35. Good.

[Nihil]

39. Simpler way to make more space in the overhead lockers:

If luggage has wheels on, it is not "hand luggage" and so gets checked in.

[davidpdx]

41. I'm a United frequent flier

But I really HATE traveling on United. Their service is lousy. I usually take one of of their partner airlines (Singapore or Asiana).

[Scout]

42. about damn time n/t

[B2G]

46. My last flight was delayed because some ASSHOLE

Repeately slammed the overhead compartment door trying to get his oversized back in there, breaking the latch.

Maintenance had to come fix it. A lot of people missed their connections as a result.

Did I mention that he was an ASSHOLE?