KnowYourTrip.com

This is a hot topic because changes are coming – yet again.  The reason it’s become a hot topic is because of passenger abuse brought on by the extra baggage fees imposed by the airlines.  (Not that abuse hadn’t gone on before this.)

An empty airplane soon to be crammed full with passengers and cary-on baggage

An increase in baggage fees was announced in early January 2010 for tickets bought for travel within the US/Canada and Territories on or after the 5^th of January 2010 for travel after the 12^th January 2010.  The first checked bag will now cost $25.00 ($15.00 old fee).  The second bag is now $35.00 ($25.00 old fee).  (A fee reduction is available if you check your bags in on-line in advance, $23. and $32.00)  For international travel two checked bags are included in the ticket price EXCEPT the second bag in economy to Europe.  Make sure you check with your individual airline before booking or packing for a trip.  On many airlines, these fees are waved with Mileage Program status.  This is yet another reason why frequent travelers need to work on acquiring and maintaining Airline status.

Because of the originally imposed baggage fees and now the increase, passengers are abusing the carry-on policy because they are carrying on bags that are bigger than allowed.

On every one of my recent flights I have seen gross abuses of carry-on bags allowances mainly because airline staff doesn’t enforce it.  Passengers are bringing aboard garment bags that are bursting, plus a carry-on, and a personal item.

Under Seat Space for your Personal Carry-On Bag and this is the Exit Row!

Read on for the policy from United Airlines →

Here are the Delta Airlines Policy for Carry-On baggage:

All Delta passengers are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item that meet the criteria below. See Security Check-in for liquid and gel restrictions.

Size and Weight Restrictions

If your carry-on bag doesn’t meet these size restrictions it must be checked, and all checked baggage rules will apply. Your bag must:

Not exceed 45 inches (length + width + height), or 115 cm.

Fit easily in our SizeCheck® unit (approximately 22″x14″x9″, or 56x36x23 cm).

Fit in an overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of you.

Personal Items

You’re allowed one personal item from this sample list:

• Purses, briefcases, camera cases, and diaper bags
• Laptop computers (can’t be checked and must be carried on)
• Items of a similar or smaller size to those above

Other Carry-on Items Allowed

You may also bring these items onboard. They do not count toward your personal item.

• Food items for immediate consumption
• Assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches
• One box or bag of duty free merchandise

Carry-on baggage policies for all United travel

For worldwide travel on any United or United Express 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;
• should 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 a particular flight.

The following personal items are not counted toward your one bag and one personal item limit:

• Assistive devices (canes, crutches, etc.)
• Child safety seats for ticketed children
• Infant restraint devices (infant seat with or without stroller, front pouch or back carrier)
• Outer garments (coats, hats, etc.)
• Reading material (a reasonable amount)
• Umbrellas (one per passenger)
• Food and beverages to be consumed onboard
• One musical instrument not exceeding a size of 45 linear inches*
• A coat, jacket, or umbrella

• Please note that items must be stowed in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. They may not be stowed in the seat back pocket

With so many people not respecting and staff not enforcing the carry-on policies, you need to have a plan before boarding.  Short of tattling on passengers to staff (how tempting) you need to do the following to assure you’ll have space for your items:

Maximize your airline status before booking your ticket.  Check previous Blog Posts for tips on doing this.

At your terminal gate, get in line to board your flight well in advance.

Do not book a bulkhead seat.  There is not space in front of you to store any bags or personal items.  So, they will need to be stored in the overhead bins.

Once boarded, immediately store your items in the overhead bin.  After everyone is boarded and has stowed there carry-on, then remove your items you want with you from your carry-on bag.  But beware don’t turn your back!  We have seen passengers (creeps) jump up and slip their bag in when you’re not looking!  Can you say “confrontation”?

Of course, by now, everyone must know about the “3-1-1” liquid restrictions for carry-ons.  You can find the details HERE.

It may be worth it for you to travel with more outer garments than you need for the flight.  Just make sure that the garment has lots of pockets to store medications, electronic cords, portable external hard drives, jewelry, cameras, etc.  Also, make sure the pockets zip or snap shut so you don’t lose any items in transit.  You can maximize your allowances and work with or around any new restrictions imposed by the TSA or airlines.

Happy Tripping,

Carter

Hey Trippers.

As you well know, carry-on baggage and airline policies have changed dramatically over the past decade.  Security issues and finances have trumped passenger concerns across the board.

With passengers prevented from locking their baggage since 9/11, the carry-on becomes more important than ever.  Why bother buying the TSA approved locks anyway.  I have heard reports of them being opened, removed, not re-locked, and never to be seen again.  I never bother locking my baggage.  Knowing that baggage inspection is a necessary evil, I have focused my strategy on the importance of my carry-on baggage.

Carry on policies vary by airline and destination.  International and USA domestic allow larger sizes.  Intra-European carry on allowances are much smaller.  United Airlines Domestic carry-on requirements:

Carry-on baggage should not be more than 9 x 14 x 22 in. (23 x 35 x 56 cm) (length x width x height) or 45 linear inches* (114 linear cm).

United Airlines doesn’t say what the weight allowed is.  American Airlines allows a maximum of 40 lbs. (18 kg) including your second personal item.

Compare that to Luftansa, European based airline:

Each piece of carry-on baggage may not be larger than 21.7 in. x 15.75 x 8 in (55 x 40 x 20 cm) and may not weigh more than 17.6 lb. (8 kg). An exception are foldable garment bags. They count as hand baggage up to a size of 22.5 x 22.3 x 6 in. (57 x 54 x 15 cm).

Big difference.

I never pack valuables or electronics in my checked baggage.  I consider whatever is in my checked baggage will be available FREE to whoever has access.  So, here’s a list of valuables, medications, and electronics I always carry on the airplane.  It makes for quite a haul but is necessary.

Valuables: Watches, Jewelry, Electric Shaver, Electric Tooth Brush, Leather Belts

Electronics: Laptop, Laptop Cord, Spare Laptop Battery, Digital Camera, Battery, Battery Charger, Camera Lenses, Media Cards, Tripod. Cell Phone, Cell Phone Charger, Headphones, iPod, iPod Cherger, Plug Adapters, Electric current Transformer, USB Connector, Flash Drive, Video Recorder, Video Recorder input/output Cable, Video Recorder A/C Cord

Medication: Prescriptions (in the original labeled filled bottles), OTC Medications, Tubes of Antibiotic and Anti-fungal Medications

That’s quite a haul.  I pack my day bag empty in my checked baggage.  I pack my laptop and accessories in my personal bag that is allowed by airlines to take in the airline cabin.  Then, I pack whatever I feel I need to have that can’t be replaced or will be hard to replace.  Needless to say, it fills it to the maximum.  I don’t know what I will do if I have to fly Intra-Europe.  Presently, I have always flown “Internationally” in and out without having to break the itinerary and be considered “Intra-Europe”.  I would have to change my strategy to pack some accessories in my checked baggage (tripod, carry cases, belts, etc.).  And I would stuff my pockets.

Extra Bag Fees are a part of airline travel now.  Typical Domestic Economy Class Fees are $15.00 (€10.50) each way for the first bag and $25.00 (€17.50) for the second.  International.  Remember, this is if your bag isn’t overweight!  If it’s over weight, you’ll pay more than ten times that – each way!

I’ll pay the fees when on a dream trip or if I need to pack more.  However, if I’m on a budget or need to travel light, I will force myself to pack less.  In an effort to pack less in my checked baggage, I layer clothing to wear on an airplane.  I wear my long trousers (shorts under if need be), T-Shirt (Singlet) long sleeve shirt (short sleeve under), sweater over that, windbreaker, and an over coat.  You can remove the extras once aboard.

Hell no!  I won’t give up my electronics!  Take time to think your packing through.  That’s part of the Travel Planning I aalways write about.  When www.knowyourtrip.com goes public, you’ll be able to download packing lists and individual item descriptions of why or why not to pack them, along with more packing tips.

More later . . . . Happy Tripping,

Carter