USVI-On-Line

I have seen her with my own two eyes!

Last week, I flew US Air from CLT to SFO. I am a very frequent flier on US Air, and the scene I witnessed at the gate was a first.

About 10 min prior to scheduled boarding time, Ms Gate Agent announces that everyone with a duffel bag or rolling carry on needs to get in line at the gate to have their bag measured. A few got up to see what the fuss was about. Most of the seasoned travelers stayed in their seats. Another US Air Gate Agent wielding a tape measure went through the bags quickly and deemed 98% of them too large for carry on. They were immediately checked through to everyone's final destination. (no payment required) I will admit that many of the bags 'appeared' to me to meet the requirements, but not according to the tape measure.

Another announcement was made when the line died down. A few more took it seriously. Eventually, some of the passengers that were waiting to board in First Class, but had not had their bags measured where asked to come forward for measurement. More than one heated argument insued between Ms. Tape Measure and Mr. I Fly This Airline ALL The Time and ALWAYS Bring This Bag And You Are Not Going To Stop Me Now. Great - That's really going to help us take off on time! How can you argue with a Tape Measure??

It was an interesting scene. According to Ms Tape Measure, US Air changed their baggage policy on Feb 1st. Though she was diligently checking the overall size of the bags, the 9" depth was not to be exceeded regardless of the overall measurement of the bag. This was the sticking point with most of them. I have flown with US Air on several other occasions since Feb 1st and not witnessed such a scene, so I don't think they are measuring before all flights. But putting on a show in front of a full flight on a large plane across country, was one way to start making their point, I guess.

Admittedly, I travel with a carry on bag that would not pass the Tape Measure Test on most trips. But I happened to have needed to check a bag for this one. Lucky me, I guess.

So everyone take lessons from Rick and Christine on how to pack. It might be the way of the future for all!

Always wonder if they will check ours so far so good. I don't use our duffel anymore but I know the one carryon would not make the nine inch rule.

It is about time. I hate when you board in the sheeple seats that we always seem to get and the carry on bins are full leaving you to scramble around the plane looking for place for your legal bags while the flight attendants ignore you. Some of the crap that people drag on as carryons is nuts.
Jay

captainjay wrote:It is about time. I hate when you board in the sheeple seats that we always seem to get and the carry on bins are full leaving you to scramble around the plane looking for place for your legal bags while the flight attendants ignore you. Some of the crap that people drag on as carryons is nuts.
Jay

I'm with you Jay and it is only getting worse with the airlines charging for checked bags. I wish all would enforce it consistently then more flights would leave on time.

DELETED

Wow ... I just got back from FL this week on USair. I always do carry on - One roller bag and a back pack.
This time I brought a small purse, which I had out to get my ID and the security guy said only 2 bags. I was just putting my purse back in my back pack ... so OK.

I put my roller in the overhead and my backpack under the seat. The problem is that some people try to put both bags in the overhead, then there is no room for the other people. But this trip no problem on any of the flights ... and all on time!

A few years back I had occassion to go trans-atlantic 4 times in 6 months. Knowing that partial carry-on was essential (electronics, essentials for 2 days...stuff you DON'T wanna check), I dilligently shopped for the perfect carry-on bag.

Nice, wheeled, converts to backpack, removable day-pack and within measurement stds.

Now they shrink std by a few inches and I may well be screwed!

I hadn't heard of the 9" depth trick. great

Happy to hear this is going on! We travel with 100% carryon compliance. On the plane from DC to STT yesterday I saw enormous bags that barely fit turned sideways. The flight attendant was politely gate checking bags that were obviously too big, but some folks were saying no and she let it go.

Cheers, RickG

RickG wrote:Happy to hear this is going on! We travel with 100% carryon compliance. On the plane from DC to STT yesterday I saw enormous bags that barely fit turned sideways. The flight attendant was politely gate checking bags that were obviously too big, but some folks were saying no and she let it go.

Cheers, RickG

Aren't you supposed to be drinking?

I'd like the airlines to be stricter about enforcing the carryon requirements also. It's ridiculous what some people bring on board with them.

This thread reminded me of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlAnozPKCx0

Flew American out of San Juan on Saturday and an agent was standing at the gate with a big stack of gate check tags.

He measured a lot of bags and from what I could see, I estimate 8 out of 10 were gate checked. Passengers looked unhappy.

My bag was slightly oversized because I had my son's carry-on stuffed inside of mine.

By the time we boarded, the agent stopped checking bags so I didn't have any problems.

bevm wrote:This thread reminded me of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlAnozPKCx0

Thanks Bev. I needed that.

Overall - it's just the total inconsistency that bugs me. I reported in my Trip Report from early February that the US Air tape measure was used on our bags at check-in and we were required to check them there and pay the fee. No huge deal - just surprised since I've carried them on before.

Flew Delta from Denver to Lexington yesterday and people were bringing on HUGE bags. I carried-on a "now compliant" bag. I usually check luggage, but only had a 40 minute connection and didn't want to risk a delayed bag due to the short connection.

Overall - I agree that the carry-on got way too silly and needs to be more routinely and strictly enforced - and it should be done at check-in not at the gate. Most people just hate surprises - get it over with early in the process so they can settle back down before joining 100 other passengers on the plane.

vi lover wrote:Overall - it's just the total inconsistency that bugs me.

Couldn't agree with you more here.

Overall - I agree that the carry-on got way too silly and needs to be more routinely and strictly enforced - and it should be done at check-in not at the gate.

The only problem with that is that people that check in on-line and have legitimate carry on only luggage don't go through check in. Perhaps a better way would be to make this part of security screening (which would require all airlines to have a uniform standard). They could place the little "test bins" out front - if they don't fit, then you have to check them. Try and take them on anyway and security sends you to check them and then go to the back of the security line for take two!