If there's one thing that really gets me going it's hand baggage and the ridiculous amounts and sizes some people expect to be allowed to bring onboard as hand or carry on luggage (some of it so big and heavy there's no way it's CARRY ON!). We try our best to place all bags in the overhead lockers and then under the seats in front of the passengers as we well should but unfortunately there comes a point where enough is enough. Not only is it unsafe but it is also unfair if you happen to get on first with massive bags that then take up so much room there is no remaining space for the people behind you and so we then have to offload bags and people get upset and we have delays as bags are placed in the hold etc etc etc. So here is, I am sure a very controversial initiative! We try and get the checkin clerks to make sure that they do just that CHECK the baggage and insist!!! that any bags too heavy or big are NOT to be taken on as hand luggage. Now before I have an angry mob of CSA's and check-in staff banging down my door I know that people constantly hide their bags from view and so theres nothing you can do. Well this is where the controversy comes in. It's simple ... we have one person standing at the top of the boarding gate checking baggage as people board. This way there is NO sneaking oversized/overweight bags onboard and anyone trying to do so is FINED appropriately for even trying to!! This and removing their bags to the hold will soon have an effect on the usual suspects. I would love to hear the comments from all parties about this .... CSA's Check-in, Cabin Crew, Ops, and of course passengers.
