Overhead Baggage anyone
Join Date: Sep 2008
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May I be the 1st to mention the problem of theft from checked baggage being an encouragement to carry on all that one can?
I’m retired now, but I was a frequent business traveler. I took the time, trouble and expense to equip myself for frequent travel.
This meant a 5” deep Samsonite briefcase and a Samsonite ‘Saddlebag’, that slipped over the briefcase. With these two items I could be on a trip of 3 nights away from home, with only ‘carry on’ hand baggage that was never out of my sight. I also did not take up excessive space in the overhead lockers.
During longer trips where I had to take more kit and needed to check a case. I had an attempted theft from a checked case, this was a leg Milan Linate to Thief Row, I also had a bag checked from LHR to JNB taken off at Nairobi for some unknown reason. Much to my surprise, I received this case the next day all in one piece. Both of these cases were again top of the range Samsonite hard shell cases.
I realise that this is sounding like a Samsonite commercial and I must point out that I was in the computer industry and I have no interest in the Samsonite company, but with all of my traveling I saw too many cheap bags damaged by the time they reached the carousel in the arrivals halls of this world.
With the present rules about checked baggage into the USA not being locked, I simply would travel only with hand baggage. If the trip was so long that I needed more clothes I’d buy them in the USA.
I’m retired now, but I was a frequent business traveler. I took the time, trouble and expense to equip myself for frequent travel.
This meant a 5” deep Samsonite briefcase and a Samsonite ‘Saddlebag’, that slipped over the briefcase. With these two items I could be on a trip of 3 nights away from home, with only ‘carry on’ hand baggage that was never out of my sight. I also did not take up excessive space in the overhead lockers.
During longer trips where I had to take more kit and needed to check a case. I had an attempted theft from a checked case, this was a leg Milan Linate to Thief Row, I also had a bag checked from LHR to JNB taken off at Nairobi for some unknown reason. Much to my surprise, I received this case the next day all in one piece. Both of these cases were again top of the range Samsonite hard shell cases.
I realise that this is sounding like a Samsonite commercial and I must point out that I was in the computer industry and I have no interest in the Samsonite company, but with all of my traveling I saw too many cheap bags damaged by the time they reached the carousel in the arrivals halls of this world.
With the present rules about checked baggage into the USA not being locked, I simply would travel only with hand baggage. If the trip was so long that I needed more clothes I’d buy them in the USA.
luggage checks
Perhaps in addition to checking the size of the carry on luggage, passengers should be asked to lift the bags over their heads before they are accepted. All those crushed under the unsupportable weight of their nugatory stuff would be deemed to have failed and their erstwhile hand-luggage either put in the hold or forwarded to the hospital.
Last edited by Mr Optimistic; 29th Mar 2010 at 19:25. Reason: to remove the odd illiteracy
If the airlines have a problem with the amount of baggage that passengers bring on board, they should do something about it. Set limits that the aircraft can handle, and enforce them; not to mention sorting out the checked baggage security and safety. I know the airline doesn't handle the baggage, but the passenger's contract is with the airline; it's the airline's responsibility to handle their subcontractors.
I hate the amount of baggage that some people take on board; but the problem I have is with the airline's failure to actually police it more than the people who take it onboard. If they bothered enforcing the rules, the message would soon get out, and people would stop bringing it all.
I hate the amount of baggage that some people take on board; but the problem I have is with the airline's failure to actually police it more than the people who take it onboard. If they bothered enforcing the rules, the message would soon get out, and people would stop bringing it all.
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Hat racks
Is the stuff about hat racks a joke and I am just a bit slow ? Were there ever really hat racks on passenger jets ?
Until around 1970 the shelf above the windows did not have the doors that converted into lockers. Either placards or CC announcements stated that it was intended only for light items such as hats that would not cause injury if they fell down. Open shelves were normal on turboprops such as Viscount and Vanguard, and, I think, were there in early days on BAC 1-11 and Boeing 707.
and Boeing 707
There was an area of the open hat rack on each side marked as " don't put anything here " or words to that effect, 'cos the fluxgate compass sensors were fitted just on the other side of the roof of the hatrack, but invisible in the cabin of course.
In this case, a pax had placed in the forbidden area one of those reel to reel tape recorders that were about the size of an office Remington typewriter, and the permanent magnets within the gadget were playing havoc with the compass sensor on that side of the aircraft.
The old-time equivalent of the modern interference from mobile telephones, I guess.
Interestingly, overloading the 'hat racks' didn't seem to be such a problem in those days, I guess 'cos even the dimmest ( except my tape recorder owner ) could see that nothing was tied down and could easily float around and hit someone, the problem seemed to start when retaining doors were added, now they CAN stuff them !
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...and one size doesn't even fit all
This is what BA has to say • Your main piece of hand baggage is up to the dimensions 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22in x 18in x 10in), including the handle, pockets and wheels.
• Your bag must fit into the bag gauge, available at the check-in area.
• Musical instruments may be carried in addition to your stated hand baggage allowance, providing the dimensions do not exceed those of a guitar and providing it can be security screened
United says
For worldwide travel on any United flight, you may carry on one bag and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase or laptop computer. Your carry-on bag...
• must fit under your seat or in the overhead bin;
• must not be more than 9 x 14 x 22 inches (23 x 35 x 56 cm) or 45 linear inches* (114 linear cm); and
• may be required to travel as checked baggage if the bag cannot be safely stowed on your flight
Ryan’s site says
It should weigh no more than 10kg and not exceed the maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. Due to security restrictions - certain items cannot be carried in cabin baggage
so different airlines have different sizes and therefore one size DOES NOT fit all here ! That seems to be the root of the problem. The other issue is the a/c you’re flying. The bigger they get the more space you have. Is that right ?
so there is just no standard bag gauze that the hapless pax can use as a guide while choosing a carry on bag…
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Cabin Baggage
There is no doubt that the present system has got out of hand .Unfortunately the airlines and regulators will do nothing to alter things,as they are the worst offenders and self interest prevails.Come on CAA if you are really interested in flight safety.do something about the situation,which is now boardering on being dangerous.
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I don't usually find suitcases to be the problem with taking up too much space in the overhead bins, the biggest problem is all the bloody small bags/jackets/laptop bags/random crap pax seem to enjoy stuffing overhead!
Personally when I travel as a passenger, I prefer placing my handbag and jacket under the seat infront of me, no chance someone will steal it or pick it up accidentally, plus I generally find the floor space a damn sight cleaner than the bins!
Personally when I travel as a passenger, I prefer placing my handbag and jacket under the seat infront of me, no chance someone will steal it or pick it up accidentally, plus I generally find the floor space a damn sight cleaner than the bins!
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Remember how quick boarding was just after 9-11 when you couldn't carry more than a jacket and a carrier bag on board? Sheer Bliss!
The only way around the baggage policy will be if airport security limit what can be carried through pax search.
For them it must be a nightmare trying to scan mountains of baggage, this must be having a security implications and adding to their work load?
I would pay money for a CAA inspector to come to work with me and actually weigh whats coming into the cabin and tell me that in a sudden deceleration all will be comfortably remain stowed. Especially with those ever increasingly flimsy locker doors!?
Question; When do the CAA/FAA step in?
Answer; Only after a plane's gone down and countless people needlessly die or get injured.
The only way around the baggage policy will be if airport security limit what can be carried through pax search.
For them it must be a nightmare trying to scan mountains of baggage, this must be having a security implications and adding to their work load?
I would pay money for a CAA inspector to come to work with me and actually weigh whats coming into the cabin and tell me that in a sudden deceleration all will be comfortably remain stowed. Especially with those ever increasingly flimsy locker doors!?
Question; When do the CAA/FAA step in?
Answer; Only after a plane's gone down and countless people needlessly die or get injured.
Join Date: Feb 2008
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As for being concerned about theft from baggage handlers? Well I don't know about you but my bag is generally full of dirty laundry, toiletries and several pairs of worn shoes. Don't tend to pack valuables when I travel, I leave the gold bullion at home...
.
If the baggage guys want to steal my flip flops or sweaty t-shirt, go right ahead....
Just leave my PJs behind pls because I love them with the bum print already stretched in...
Honestly people do overrate the interest level of their own luggage.
. If the baggage guys want to steal my flip flops or sweaty t-shirt, go right ahead....
Just leave my PJs behind pls because I love them with the bum print already stretched in...Honestly people do overrate the interest level of their own luggage.
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I think one of the big problems with this is, for many airlines, if you do an on line check in with hand liggage only, then no one "screens" your hand luggage at all, until you board the plane, and at that point the gate agent typically is only doing a boarding card check, so ridiculous volumes and weights of hand luggage are talken on board. This then becomes the CC's problem to resolve....
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Deepsouth absolutely Why would the loco's want to pay baggage handlers when the can get the CC to do it for free?? CC solve everything don't we?
Unfortunatly the SLF are cottoning onto the fact they can avoid the baggage charge as well by dragging their oversized luggage onto the plane for the CC/dispatcher to then hold load free of charge.
My lot have no weight limit either. As long as the pax can get it into the lockers unaided according to EZY thats fine. However there are a few SLF who take this literally and don't think closing the lockers applies Que the drama queens when their luggage is then offloaded 
Girtbar The safety action group of the CAA will investigate any alledged safety issue brought to their attention without waiting for hull losses and fatalities. It's up to CC however to bring these to their attention formally.
And a word to the wise.....don't tell your company use the CAA whistleblowing procedure. You will get a CAA inspector on board PDQ and free of charge
Why would the loco's want to pay baggage handlers when the can get the CC to do it for free?? CC solve everything don't we?Unfortunatly the SLF are cottoning onto the fact they can avoid the baggage charge as well by dragging their oversized luggage onto the plane for the CC/dispatcher to then hold load free of charge.
My lot have no weight limit either. As long as the pax can get it into the lockers unaided according to EZY thats fine. However there are a few SLF who take this literally and don't think closing the lockers applies
Que the drama queens when their luggage is then offloaded Girtbar The safety action group of the CAA will investigate any alledged safety issue brought to their attention without waiting for hull losses and fatalities. It's up to CC however to bring these to their attention formally.
And a word to the wise.....don't tell your company use the CAA whistleblowing procedure. You will get a CAA inspector on board PDQ and free of charge
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Unfortunatly the SLF are cottoning onto the fact they can avoid the baggage charge as well by dragging their oversized luggage onto the plane for the CC/dispatcher to then hold load free of charge.
My lot have no weight limit either. As long as the pax can get it into the lockers unaided according to EZY thats fine. However there are a few SLF who take this literally and don't think closing the lockers applies
Que the drama queens when their luggage is then offloaded Your lot, as with just about all others are very specific with regards to hand luggage so it's rather trite to blame the SLF if your company fail to enforce their own rules and regulations.
As someone who sticks strictly to the letter of the law on this subject I would be rather pleased to see gate agents refusing SLF access to the aircraft if they have exceeded the allowance.
Surely in the interest of flight safety it is also the duty of responsible CC to refuse to allow SLF onto the aircraft if they have more than one bag or one that is too big.
SLF are not always the sharpest tools in the box however in this instance they are definitely putting one over on most airlines and most airlines seem more than happy to simply roll over and take it
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Quote seldomfitforpurpose
"Your lot, as with just about all others are very specific with regards to hand luggage so it's rather trite to blame the SLF if your company fail to enforce their own rules and regulations".
I don't recall "blaming" anyone in my post but simply stating the situation as it stands.
If we wish to do blame for this ridiculous situation re baggage then it lies fairly and squarely with the ancillary revenue "initiatives" of said airlines, not the SLF. The Loco's are the worst offenders.......I know I work for one and act as the baggage police/handler every day
I too would be really pleased to see the gate staff actually do their job and check the bags at the gate as it would save me a lot of grief onboard.....they don't in most cases particularly on the continent. This is something I flag up frequently to my base office but nothing is ever done it would seem. After all the CC do solve everything so why on earth would a manager want to actually make a decision and take the matter higher
"Surely in the interest of flight safety it is also the duty of responsible CC to refuse to allow SLF onto the aircraft if they have more than one bag or one that is too big".
In the ideal world yes.... where we would have one CC to dilligently check boarding cards whilst the other tags and removes luggage from the always complient SLF who of course would willingly surrender their wordly goods without a fight And of course we would have all the time in the world to achieve this
In loco what happens in reality is we are on the clock (literally) from landing at destination to take off. So are the ground staff which might explain why they don't check bags as any failure of on time performance would then be chalked up to them.
Hence what I get is some of the more savvy SLF (don't underestimate them SFFP there are many) dragging everything bar the kitchen sink up the stairs. Yes I could stop them there but that would interfere with my OTP as well and I would get a delay code attributed to me.....that's
for CC!!
So what do I do? Well there are also the folk such as yourself who complies with regs. There are also some who even check their baggage and pay the charge
. I just hope I have enough of these on board so I can stow the luggage of the rest. If I don't then their bags are hold loaded despite the hysterics in the interests of safety.
I realise that my OTP is not your concern as SLF so you might think I should still stop these people on the steps. You might not if you were standing in the rain in Milan or the blistering heat of Rome whilst we are doing this...... for a considerable period of time.
I use Italy as an example...... my CC colleagues would know why!!
Hope this clarifies my previous post and please PLEASE keep following the regs
"Your lot, as with just about all others are very specific with regards to hand luggage so it's rather trite to blame the SLF if your company fail to enforce their own rules and regulations".
I don't recall "blaming" anyone in my post but simply stating the situation as it stands.If we wish to do blame for this ridiculous situation re baggage then it lies fairly and squarely with the ancillary revenue "initiatives" of said airlines, not the SLF. The Loco's are the worst offenders.......I know I work for one and act as the baggage police/handler every day
I too would be really pleased to see the gate staff actually do their job and check the bags at the gate as it would save me a lot of grief onboard.....they don't in most cases particularly on the continent. This is something I flag up frequently to my base office but nothing is ever done it would seem. After all the CC do solve everything so why on earth would a manager want to actually make a decision and take the matter higher
"Surely in the interest of flight safety it is also the duty of responsible CC to refuse to allow SLF onto the aircraft if they have more than one bag or one that is too big".
In the ideal world yes.... where we would have one CC to dilligently check boarding cards whilst the other tags and removes luggage from the always complient SLF who of course would willingly surrender their wordly goods without a fight
And of course we would have all the time in the world to achieve thisIn loco what happens in reality is we are on the clock (literally) from landing at destination to take off. So are the ground staff which might explain why they don't check bags as any failure of on time performance would then be chalked up to them.
Hence what I get is some of the more savvy SLF (don't underestimate them SFFP there are many) dragging everything bar the kitchen sink up the stairs. Yes I could stop them there but that would interfere with my OTP as well and I would get a delay code attributed to me.....that's
for CC!!So what do I do? Well there are also the folk such as yourself who complies with regs. There are also some who even check their baggage and pay the charge
. I just hope I have enough of these on board so I can stow the luggage of the rest. If I don't then their bags are hold loaded despite the hysterics in the interests of safety.I realise that my OTP is not your concern as SLF so you might think I should still stop these people on the steps. You might not if you were standing in the rain in Milan or the blistering heat of Rome whilst we are doing this...... for a considerable period of time.
I use Italy as an example...... my CC colleagues would know why!!
Hope this clarifies my previous post and please PLEASE keep following the regs
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Apparently Spirit Airlines is now charging for carry-on baggage ($45 each way, can that be right?), and on domestic flights checking a bag will now cost about $5 less than carrying it on. Ticket base prices were lowered $40 as part of this change. Measuring devices will apparently be placed at the gate, and there are the usual allowed items that won't count towards the paid requirement.
It will be interesting to see if this curtails the carry-on baggage mess. And if this shortens boarding/disembarking.
And Mr. Optimistic: That was an excellent idea to require passengers to demonstrate that they can lift their carry-on to overhead bin height.
It will be interesting to see if this curtails the carry-on baggage mess. And if this shortens boarding/disembarking.
And Mr. Optimistic: That was an excellent idea to require passengers to demonstrate that they can lift their carry-on to overhead bin height.
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Hats
If you look back through the on board pictures availiable online you will indeed see that the overhead lockers are mesh type affairs designed for a max of a coat and hat. The Royal Airforce still has Tri Star (L1011) that are fitted with the original coat racks so no hand luggage in the cabin 
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Virgin Blue also charge for checked in baggage. I think it is either $8 or $10. If a passenger brings on carry on baggage that is too big for the lockers or overweight (7kg is the limit) it is off-loaded and put in the hold. CC's return the boarding pass to the passenger with a card that tells them that they can pick up their bag from the airlines baggage office, they will also need to pay $20 to get it.
The passengers that amuse me the most are the ones that ask me to put their bag in the locker for them (because it's too heavy for them to get it up there)! Do they really think I am going to put my back out to save themselves $10? I immediately offload their bag. I have even had large men ask me to do this. Of course there are exceptions to this, elderly or passengers with an injury whose bag is under the weight limit but are unable to manage it themselves I will gladly assist.
The passengers that amuse me the most are the ones that ask me to put their bag in the locker for them (because it's too heavy for them to get it up there)! Do they really think I am going to put my back out to save themselves $10? I immediately offload their bag. I have even had large men ask me to do this. Of course there are exceptions to this, elderly or passengers with an injury whose bag is under the weight limit but are unable to manage it themselves I will gladly assist.
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Ah, a time warp!
I've got twenty years of working as a Flight Attendant under my belt this year.
Some things have changed, some haven't. This is one that hasn't.
Passengers have always brought "to much" carry-on, and I've always had the same discussions as to where to put it. I've lugged tons of too heavy baggage to the doors to be unloaded, been cursed, slapped by unnerved pax and so on.
I've even written to Airbus when they ran an ad that had a roman (greek?) column lying in one of the overhead bins to show off the size of them (they wrote back, telling me that they wouldn't run that particular ad anymore, and sent me a nice book to show they were sorry, still have it, thanks!).
Ask the "oldies" in the business, nothing new here. It's not going to change either.
Back then, pax didn't even have the reason of having to pay for checked baggage, they didn't want to have to wait at the baggage belt, they feared the risk of having their baggage stolen...
Notice something? Yep, heard it all before. Many times. And again.
Is there a solution? Sure, same as years ago. Internationally agree on an accepted carry-on baggage size, enforce the rules, unload everything that makes it past the barriers. Makes you laugh, the simplicity, doesn't it?
Is it gonna happen? Not then, not now, not in the future. Just the way things are.
So to all the Passengers coming aboard with a "reasonable" size carry-on, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I will do everything to stow away your baggage safely and carefully, to make up for all those who don't care and block your space. And I will still try to politely explain to those, why to please pack a little more carefully and considerately next time.
And hey, yeah I still love my job and I wouldn't for the world want to do anything else!
I've got twenty years of working as a Flight Attendant under my belt this year.
Some things have changed, some haven't. This is one that hasn't.
Passengers have always brought "to much" carry-on, and I've always had the same discussions as to where to put it. I've lugged tons of too heavy baggage to the doors to be unloaded, been cursed, slapped by unnerved pax and so on.
I've even written to Airbus when they ran an ad that had a roman (greek?) column lying in one of the overhead bins to show off the size of them (they wrote back, telling me that they wouldn't run that particular ad anymore, and sent me a nice book to show they were sorry, still have it, thanks!).
Ask the "oldies" in the business, nothing new here. It's not going to change either.
Back then, pax didn't even have the reason of having to pay for checked baggage, they didn't want to have to wait at the baggage belt, they feared the risk of having their baggage stolen...
Notice something? Yep, heard it all before. Many times. And again.
Is there a solution? Sure, same as years ago. Internationally agree on an accepted carry-on baggage size, enforce the rules, unload everything that makes it past the barriers. Makes you laugh, the simplicity, doesn't it?
Is it gonna happen? Not then, not now, not in the future. Just the way things are.
So to all the Passengers coming aboard with a "reasonable" size carry-on, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I will do everything to stow away your baggage safely and carefully, to make up for all those who don't care and block your space. And I will still try to politely explain to those, why to please pack a little more carefully and considerately next time.
And hey, yeah I still love my job and I wouldn't for the world want to do anything else!