Posted on 03/04/2014 3:26:13 PM PST by bkopto
United Airlines is getting tough on passengers with oversized carry-on bags, even sending some of them back to the ticket counter to check their luggage for a fee.
The Chicago-based airline has started a push to better enforce rules restricting the size of carry-on bags — an effort that will include instructing workers at security checkpoint entrances to eyeball passengers for bags that are too big.
In recent weeks, United has rolled out new bag-sizing boxes at most airports and sent an email to frequent fliers, reminding them of the rules. An internal employee newsletter called the program a "renewed focus on carry-on compliance."
The size limits on carry-on bags have been in place for years, but airlines have enforced them inconsistently, rarely conducting anything beyond occasional spot checks.
United says its new approach will ensure that bags are reliably reviewed at the security checkpoint, in addition to the bag checks already done at gates prior to boarding.
Passengers are typically allowed one carry-on bag to fit in the overhead bin, which can be no larger than 9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches. Fliers can also bring one personal item such as a purse or laptop bag that fits under the seat in front of them.
People flying with oversized bags can have the suitcase checked for free at the gate, a longstanding practice. But those who get halted at the entrance to security must now go back to the ticket counter and pay the airline's $25 checked-luggage fee.
Some travelers suggest the crackdown is part of a larger attempt by United to collect more fees. The airline says it's simply ensuring that compliant passengers have space left for them in the overhead bins.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
The last time that we flew on UNITED was the last time that we will ever use that carrier again. We flew from Houston to Amsterdam (round trip) and it was one of the worst flying experiences, ever. That airline has given a whole new meaning to the word “SUCKS”.
Good. As a frequent flier it is rediculous what people try to bring on. The whole line is slowed down while some fool struggles to cram a huge bag that just won’t fit. Don’t get me started about the ladies who have 15 grocery bags that take up bins and slow down everything.
Is this one of those hilarious “Carry On” movies from the Brits?
Yep.
About time.
Agreed. United has a point here. And just like you, I’m fed up with the santa claus/duffel bags passing as a “personal” or “hand carry” bag. Travel light people!
I used to fly regularly, because I had to go to meetings. After numerous times that my checked luggage got lost, and maybe turned up several days later, I got in the habit of only bringing a carry-on bag. Since I usually only was away for just a few days, I could manage that, although it wasn’t always ideal. But it was great not to lose the luggage, and not to have to wait sometimes up to an hour for my suitcase to turn up at the luggage carousel.
This is obviously the reason why passengers want to carry on their luggage.
How long has it been since you have flown frequently? No one brings grocery bags any more. Watch what you wish for. Those bag sizers are absolutely set there as revenue generators, and they tend to shrink over time.
I travel for a week with one, what the Army calls, AWOL bag. Easily fits under the seat or the overhead. I prefer to keep it under the seat so I have it handy when exiting.
I've seen some passengers with a giant carry on that barely fits in the overhead, one of those folding suit carriers stuffed to the max, PC bag with what looks like the home office stuffed in it - plus a giant purse.
I agree with Organic Panic.
See my post below your’s.
I don’t fly often, but when I do I normally have one large checked bag and a laptop bag with plenty of room for a few miscellaneous items.
One time some idiot managed to get their oversize bag stuck in the over head bin. Apparently it was the airlines fault they go delayed white maintenance figure to how to get it out.
well yes. there are some weird people who are obviously smuggling army tanks and their living room chesterfields in “free carryon bags”
this makes the flights miserable for every normal person onboard
Lost luggage is always a problem and to some degree I agree.
However, the carry on bins are not unlimited and should not be first come, first served. There is a certain amount of space allocated to my seat, and I damned well expect it to be available to me when I get to my seat.
If you have a late boarding ticket zone, you can be forced into putting your carry on on the jetway and have to wait to retrieve it from the jetway, because so many others decided that they just had to have an enormous bag to stuff in the bin, and take up their space and several others as well, and refuse to put that bag under the seat in front of them. God forbid they might have to give up their leg space rather than let everybody have their space in the bins.
I am with United on this one, and for the record I consider them to be a fly-by-night outfit. Fly them by force, not choice. Much prefer JetBlue.
I agree. Flew to Rome on United in 2012. Everything about that flight was a nightmare. Ticketing, seating and baggage handling was FUBAR. Homo fight attendants treated everyone like they were doing us a huge favor by allowing us to fy on their aircraft. Never again. I’ll row a boat there first before I fly UA.
Next trip over, I would like to fly El Al or Lufthansa. KLM has always been good, too.
I don’t have a problem with this. Ever since the checked baggage fee people bring all their luggage on board. Overhead bins are full half-way through boarding.
some passengers who sit at the back and are in the first zones to load will put their carry on near the front when they get on and then go clear to the back to sit and put more stuff there or not at all..
if you get on after them in another zone loading and sit towards the front theres no room at your seat for your items..
don’t worry now that Im older and an accept curmudgeon I just move anything that I know belongs to a passenger from the back even taking it out and replacing it with my own..
Of course that means the air steward has to get the back of the bus passenger to come and claim his luggage and move it ...
but I have done it..
one time since there was nobody at all in the area yet I said to the steward oh look someone from the previous flight must have left his carry on..she moved it..
Oh naughty Nana..
Ive had women from the back try and fight me for my parking space in the bins..
Im vicious LOL
but if you don’t your carry on is taken to who knows where and then you have to chase it down later..
Right here I must tell the delicious thing that happened in October when I flew out of Newark to Paris..
I was at the window in a 3 seat row..the very first row of coach..
I was hoping to have the row to myself to sleep but the aisle seat was taken..
a lesbian looking smelly young woman came to that aisle seat took one look at me in my kind Nana face and jeans and sneakers and hoodie and smelling sweet, and marched back towards the front to complain loudly about I do not know what I didn’t say anything to her..
When she did that I felt I had her permission to make myself some boundary and personal space..I moved an item or 2 into the middle seat in the row..
I didn’t said anything to her or anything but I was a villain of sorts..
she came back followed by the stewardess who was apologizing worriedly for who knows what and told her that after the plane was full then she would see about moving the indignant one..
by this time I was holding my merry Conservative mouth tightly so I wouldn’t burst out laughing..
I didn’t know at what but how could I be Enemy # 1 and not to be sat by or near..when I didn’t even know how I had offended ??
the ruffled feathers one sat down gingerly in the aisle seat and leaned out so that other passengers passing her either hit her or moved to the other seats to get by her they commented and growled LOL
Now I was on my way to Europe to do something I had wanted to do for more than 20 years take a transAtlantic cruise back to the US..I wasn’t about to let this ijit mess up my “dream of a lifetime”..
So before we took off and when all were on board so there wouldn’t be anyone taking her place I quietly leaned towards her and said to her some dumb thing off the top of my head that would greatly upset an honest Liberal I don’t remember what..something like “dear Im going to sleep during the flight and I snore I do hope I wont disturb you” or something..I was inspired anyway..
She jumped up and never came back..the steward took her way to the back of the plane..so far back they disappeared..
so I got to stretch out along 3 seats in the one row and sleep that night and awake refreshed the next morning in Paree..
Nana 1 Liberal O..
gosh I wish I could remember what it was I had said to her..
Ditto here. Hubby and flew to Jamaica in December on Delta. I researched the personal bag size to bring on, what was ok, not ok, has to fit under the seat, etc. We did check 2 suitcases and paid the fees.
I followed the rules for my personal bag, however while standing in line to board I couldn’t believe the huge personal bags the Ladies had....No way those bags would fit under any seat.
Yes, I read some of the other responses after I finished posting mine. I also can recall times when I was waiting in line boarding a plane, and idiots in front of me were carrying all sorts of packages and large bags that would never fit in the overhead locker. In fact, if you didn’t board the plane early enough, you were liable to find all the overhead spaces taken by people who were bent on using two or three of them.
So, it goes both ways.
Wholeheartedly agree! Again, a small segment that ruins it for all.
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