I remember that well, just after 9/11. Check-in was more pleasant too, no queues for security, bliss! I never did hear if our punctuality improved though. Our stress levels did.

How about getting the crew to put their bags in the hold? Never ceases to amaze me how much they need for an overnight!

Carry on bags even on someone like BA have been getting crazier and crazier over the last few years. Economy pax now think nothing of taking a trundle-bag which won't fit in the overhead, and another bag, with them.

Thankfully I have FF status which lets me board first so I get my (one, modestly sized I might add) bag into the overhead.

Never book rows 1-3 on BA domestic and turn up late - you won't have any space to put a bag up there - not a chance.

On the 10 or so BA long-haul flights I've done in the last few months, without exception, economy pax baggage has been brought into Business overhead bins as Eco overheads are totally packed. Some of them get on with huge items which I'm amazed they've got past check-in and then security!

If the EU mandate more than one bag, you can forget having any space overhead, ever!

It might be convenient as to put everything in carry on, and as long as it fits in the box outside check-in, fair play, but there are people totally abusing the restrictions already.

That isn't overnight kit SLF3 its a CC bag which they have to carry with them on every flight be it over night or day trip.

The cabin crew services dictate what goes in it. The last one I saw open was truly a sight. spare Ice tongs, spare tea bags, spare tights, manuals, flight report forms, personal first aid kit etc etc.

It varies from company to company what they are required to take. It isn't an option not to have it with them. If the queen bitch finds out they haven't got it they get their backsides in a sling. I have even seen a male hostie get put on report for not having two pairs of pop socks in his bag because the CC manual stated if trouser worn two pairs of PP colour code xyz pop socks must be in your bag when he was line checked.

Thankfully that was dealt with when the Pilots ripped the piss out of it in a mixed crm course as being stupid. But the CC manager really didn't see the funny side of the stupidity and bitterly hated changing it and he was male!!.

Some nonsense that each bag was a team resource provided by the company and it didn't matter what sex you were it should always have the same contents.

1. At some airlines the short haul crews are doing multi day tours, hence the need for the amount of kit, and

2. Crews sometimes need to transfer very rapidly between aircraft during a working day, so some airlines positively discourage or forbid crews checking in a suitcase (which BTW was/is a major PIA with the current liquids restriction).

Mad Jock & Wiggy,
Don't dispute that the employer imposed requirements exist, but that should not be at the paying customers cost. If they want to impose these requirements fine, but set aside enough space elsewhere on the aircraft for such purposes.

I can't see why the bins can't be made a little taller, allowing bags to be placed wheels in, on their sides.

The LCC logic seems a little broken to me, they try and discourage bag check so they can reduce costs, but they still have to incur these costs even if nobody actually checks a bag. If they charged a reasonable fee they would improve our, and their, travel experience significantly.

ExXB Yes - but you know how humans like a 'bargain'?? :rolleyes:Perceived high price = no sale.

It doesn`t cost the punter anything. It might annoy them but doesn`t cost them.

As for baggage bin design nothing much you can do about that without a major mod.

To be honest if you don`t like it get the train or don`t travell. As long as the customer keeps getting there wallet out nobody gives a toss whats said.

Anyone know what things are like with FR now they allow two bags? Since BA starting charging for bags on short hops, sorry I mean offering a cheaper fare for hand baggage only, it's been tricky getting bags onboard, but the CC are VERY proactive and pretty forward at people to get their smaller items under the seats. Since BA allow two bags I'm wondering how things are at FR. I would imagine it would be carnage!

As a frequent flyer down the back absolutely no argument to the contrary from me, just pointing out the constraints under which the crew may operate.