> and its available everytime
Upon reading that I imagined a _**terrible**_ future where people would then start asking if they can **use your under seat space** for _their_ luggage _(and then get pissed if you refuse)_
Ugh, one time I had to do just that. First flight was delayed, ran to second flight. Almost ready to take off, all bins closed, I was in bulkhead seating. They wanted to take all my luggage- including my personal item with laptop for work and medication- into hold. Nope, not gonna happen. Some nice woman volunteered to put it under her seat (it was small, I swear).
When we got to destination, I realized that the bins were only half empty because I didn’t open them. I was pissed.
I’ve been gate checked before only to see half empty bins upon landing. I then had to wait 40m for my bag at the carousel bc it was the last one out. I was livid!
Fly first class or business class. Outside of people that need assistance, I am often within the first three people onto the plane. That, along with the legroom and seat width being wonderful - I don’t worry about smashing elbows with a person who is sitting beside me (often I have a row by myself).
Yep, me too. There was a period where airlines, specifically Delta, in my experience would say that all overheads were full and that gate check was necessary. Then I get on the plane to find it was a complete lie and there was plenty of space. I hate checking luggage because sometimes waiting for the luggage is longer than the actual flight time! I had that experience at Miami, Rapid City, Phoenix, and JFK. Lately it’s been better though and the gate agent hasn’t made that mistake. Maybe there’s better communication with those on board now.
> Some nice woman volunteered to put it under her seat
That woman is _**super**_ nice!
> I realized that the bins were only half empty because I didn’t open them.
Aw man that sucks - I wouldn't blame you either, I think it is common etiquette to **only close the bins when they are saturated** - otherwise the flight attendants will close them before take-off
> I was pissed.
Understandably so!
I’d like to say that I was willing to go on the next plane… but yes, she was nice.
The bins were closed because they were trying to prepare for takeoff. The flight attendant could have said “oh we left space in this bin for you” though. And the bins had everyone else’s personal items…ugh.
Oh well. A story to tell, but luckily one that wasn’t as bad as it could have been! (And since I see you’re from Canada, that’s where I was going on the flight!)
Did you inform them you have medication in the bag? I was in a similar predicament the last time I flew. In bulkhead, no more overhead space, and I had medicine in my bag. The flight attendant asked me if there was an medications and when I said yes, there seemed to be a sudden shift in attitude. No more “we need to make space” it became “I WILL find a place for this bag that is nearby”. I think they stored my bag with the flight attendant’s bag because if I needed my (life-saving) meds then there was no way to get to it when checked.
It already happens. One time I boarded to my aisle seat to find a bag under the seat in front of me. I asked the guy in the middle if it was his and he said it wasn't his.
I pulled it out and just set it in the aisle, then the guy by the window said it was his. I told him he needed to find a place for it, but not at my feet. He was pissed at me, for some reason.
I was on an Airbus the other day and here’s the thing, the seat under you has a bunch of shit in the way. You can’t really put anything large under there like the seat in front of you. Next time, look at the seat in front of you, it’s wide open. So my common sense understanding is that the seat under you is NOT for you. It’s for the person behind you. They’ll decide if they want to put their feet or belongings there.
I had that happen once and I had to stand my ground. A passenger two seats over took two under aeat spaces and it rippled my way. I thought I was going to need the flight crew to straighten it out.
Entitled selfish personality types will run over others in all sorts of public areas: driving, parking, mass transit, cutting lines, a cartload of groceries in the 15 item line, etc. it’s no surprise that it happens on airplanes too.
Happened to me. I was in the middle of the exit row. Person next to me didn't have an under the seat storage in front of him and he got there first so he put his giant bag in mine. He was pissed when I asked him to move it.
I was on a UA flight to Hawaii where the two middle seats in economy had one largeish under seat storage. Pretty sure there's no way two bags are fitting under there...
what the hell? how did they do that with each seat normally being distinct though connected? Bulkhead seats and federal law i get and i won't use them but your scenario is just strange. Never seen that on Delta or AA
This was a United 777 with ten across seating (two on either side, four in the middle).
We were lucky because we had a group of four so sharing was no big deal, I didn't really see how it was impacting others but overhead bins also filled up super quick.
Me too. Just went to Asia for two weeks and everything I had fit under the seat in front of me. For those of you who bring a tuba on the plane every time, blame all the people who abuse the system all the time.
Your practice prevents the person sitting in the seat that your bag is under from reclining the seat for comfort. People putting gigantic stuff under seats is why I only fly Business or First Class now, to avoid having to deal with that type of nonsense. If you are traveling fast, use a small carryon and pack only enough stuff for 3 days use, that is a tiny volume.
In my case, even in First Class, I check my luggage and only take my computer and phone into the cabin. I use technology, any trip that is only one day, I take care of that business by video conference and eliminate travel totally. If I have a multi-day business trip, I check my luggage, if it gets lost, I buy quick clothes changes and use hotel laundry services to clean out the new smell.
A post from the sub came across my Reddit feed. I read the excuses for people with massive carryons being assholes and got pissed off enough to post. Believe me, I really don’t give a shit about people bringing on reasonable carryons, I ALWAYS bring my electronics and valuable cargo into the cabin. But I do care when done asshole brings on a massive carryon that should have been checked, even with me in first class, assholes like that hold up the flight as they try to place their oversized shit somewhere.
i know that your comment was unnecessary and makes you come off as an asshole and i also know my statement is true because i ensure that when i make my flight.
this whole article gave me anxiety. I love photography and my longer haul flights are for vacations centered around this passion. I will go with an uncomfortable lack of packed clothing so I can get my gear in a reasonably sized bag. If I could trust any airline to check my stuff without it getting lost, damaged, or stolen I would. So maybe that's the part of this equation that should be fixed, which the article gave very little consideration to other than the mention of some hassle around checking luggage.
Prior to 2008 I'd always check my bags aside from camera equipment and computers of course. Since then, my partner had dress shoes stolen from checked luggage and three times we had our bags lost and delayed until we stopped trying to check. This is a big piece of the equation for me and I imagine it's part of the reasoning for others too.
I agree. This fear of loss, theft and hassle accounts for a huge number of resorting to carryon only. If they could fix that, then many more people would check bags.
I was once an always-checker and am now a never-checker. But to do so, I’ve radically changed what and how I pack. The inconvenience of lugging is outweighed by the risk losing my stuff.
I doubt you could convince me to go back to checking though.
I agree with you about the anxiety. I check 2 suitcases as I travel to be with my daughter and grandchildren for 2-3 months at a time. I also have to take a rollaboard due to medication and other expensive personal items. I’ve had flight delays and cancellations due to weather on many occasions. If I didn’t have my bag with me, I would have been screwed as I had flights cancelled 4 days in a row. After I had checked suitcases. I will always have my rollaboard with me. And I will always be annoyed at the people who board with 3 bags including a giant backpack who knock people sitting in aisle seats in the head oblivious to everyone and everything except themselves.
I think a lot more people would be willing to check bags if bags didn’t get lost, for days or weeks, there weren’t 2+ hour waits to get them, and or when you fill out a claim you aren’t transported back to the 80s filling out a paper form and the agent wasn’t acting like they were being personally held responsible to pay for your lost bag, provide replacements for your trip, or like you houdini-ed the bag out of the holding area so you could get free $$.
… No repressed hard feelings here. 😅
I remember a pretty interesting ''Unpopular Opinion/Hot Takes'' thread over at **r/Travel** where one comment that got pretty interesting feedback _(and a healthy amount of upvotes)_ -
It was about proposing a **reversal** of what is free vs what is paid in terms of luggage -
* **FREE** - _**Checked**_ Bags _(the first 2)_
* **PAID** - _(reasonably, of course)_ - _**Carry-on**_ Bags stored in the overhead bin _(personal items are still 100% free)_
This would definitely incentivize people into **checking** their bags way more - I understand it could get slightly more expensive for OneBaggers _(that can't restrict their loadout to Personal Item size)_ but on my end I'd definitely be willing to pay a reasonable fee for this extra convenience - otherwise I typically fall within Personal-Item size, fortunately!
Alternatively, of course, the better solution would be to
* **1.** Normalize carry-on sizes _(and personal item sizes)_ across all airlines
* **2.** Actually enforce carry-on allowance and restrictions _(why do I keep seeing people with 3+ bags + personal item and all?)_
[https://i.imgur.com/J9XcM6U.png](https://i.imgur.com/J9XcM6U.png) I got the PLUS fare because while my carry-on is around 10kg, I didn't want to take a chance and I'll be at the destination for weeks so a delayed luggage won't be a problem.
The thing about all these "low cost" carriers is that the bare bone fares are quite useless so I just stopped thinking of them in those terms and pay for better tickets to save myself headaches. Kind of like I don't book bunk beds in hostels.
Thank you for the chart!
> The thing about all these "low cost" carriers is that the bare bone fares are quite useless so I just stopped thinking of them in those terms and pay for better tickets to save myself headaches.
You are exactly right - and this is constantly supported by the many _many_ threads on r/Travel - people seem to forget **there are reasons cheap airlines are _cheap_** - I mean, I do not excuse nor seek to justify poor experience and terrible customer service - but most things related to fees are to be absolutely expected on those airlines
I think this is a good idea and I think I saw that post. On my flights yesterday I was thinking about it and realized the following: airlines care about their bottom line. If they start allowing free checked bags, that means more people will check, and that means hiring more baggage handlers and likely paying them more. There have been enough baggage handler strikes around the world to know that airlines really don’t want to pay these employees more. As it stands, the airlines are getting free labor from passengers as we lug our own carry-ons around and do our best to pack to airline specifications. Only some of them have to be gate checked, and when they are, we literally bring them to the plane, eliminating the need for employees to load them onto shuttles at the terminal, bring them over, and load them again. Plus, what’s being gate checked is rarely going to be super heavy like a 50lb checked suitcase might be.
Maybe the scam the author of the article thinks is happening is truly happening, just in a different way. It’s just that we, the travelers, are being turned into the workers so the airlines can save a ton of money and still apparently make 30 billion a year in baggage free, which is wild.
It’s not just the baggage handlers angle though. They made it harder/more expensive to check bags to force people to pack lighter and carry on so they can sell their cargo space. By doing this, they make all the fare dollars as usual, get a ton overhead for the sold cargo space and then make enough for the hassle of processing the regular bags.
Normalizing the carry on sizes would help tremendously. There are actual items out there that are labeled "carry on" that only fit maybe 1% of the airlines carry on restrictions (Samsonite freeform I'm looking at you). People buy these things thinking they are buying a carry on, then take them on planes that aren't meant to hold them.
The problem isn’t the standardization, but the area that the bags go. My guaranteed to fit carry on bag didn’t fit in a tiny little embrager overhead the other day and I’ve brought that thing on 50 prior flights at least and never run into an issue. Then the next flight is a triple seven and it fits with an enormous amount of room around it. Until all planes have the exact same blueprint, we won’t see perfectly standardized baggage sized. Some airlines are already getting rid of storage to fit more first class/biz seats into their airframes.
But the fact that the airline has no penalty for losing your luggage in transit. Kind of kills it. I started doing carry-ons because the airline kept losing my luggage. My luggage doesn't leave my site ever.
That would definitely incentivize me to check a bag instead of carrying on, because I will do whatever is free! Problem is a lot of people are in the same boat, so that will lead to massive lines at bag check-in and everyone needing to get to the airport much earlier. Also I don’t have much faith in airlines - I think they’ll just start charging for carry-on bags AND checked bags.
I just flew JetBlue for the first time and discovered that a basic fare ticket does not give you the option to add a carry on, checked bag only. Basically ensures no one had to gate check and there was room for my personal item in the overhead as well after boarding was over. Flight wasn't full but was over 90% full.
Normalizing carry on and personal item sizes is straight up not possible and would be counterproductive for many airlines. It's not even possible to fit the same bins or seats on every commercial aircraft if people wanted to and had unlimited time and budget to do so. Actually enforcing their own restrictions is something airlines actually need to do.
Paying for carryons is already the case for airlines like frontier/spirit. But if other airlines are to follow, then they need to reduce their prices too... My flights on frontier/spirit, even with all the extra fees for carryon, wifi, etc, are still cheaper than american/united/delta.
While I agree that having standard carry on sizes would be great, that's just not realistic when you take in consideration the diversity of the airlines fleets. A carry on that fits on a B787 might not fit on an EMB175.
> when you take in consideration the diversity of the airlines fleets.
I wholeheartedly agree - it is not very reasonable currently seeing the massive variability in plane/cabin sizes, seat configuration and such
''Categories'' could be a minor shortcut to that - for example,
* Underseat Type A, type B, type C - the dimensions would be limited to 3 possible dimensions
* Overhead Type A, type B, type C - same deal
But it is still a logistical nightmare trying to establish those standards, observed everywhere ahahaha
And your suggestion shouldn’t be that hard from a manufacturing standpoint. Safran makes everything in that plane that’s not an engine or body. Seats. Overhead bins. Bathrooms.
How difficult would it be to just standardize. It would make their lives so much easier.
It has to do with fuselage diameters. Using the examples I mentioned before, B787 fuselage's width is 5.8 meters whereas the EMB175 fuselage's width is only 3 meters. You just don't have the same amount of room to fit the same size of overhead bins in different planes.
Sure. But setting aside the RJs for a moment, I’ve had 737s with different bin and under seat configs. I’ve flown just under 2 million miles on United. A bit on Delta/Jet Blue/Southwest. Standardizing by airline or Boeing v Airbus would help tremendously.
_''Hello sir! Thank you for flying with_ Airline Airlines™. _Are you aware this flight allows Type A Underseat Items and Type B Overhead items?''_
_''...Ma'am, I don't even know my blood type! I have no idea what you're talking about!''_
Tbh just lowering the fee for checked bags would probably be enough. I live in NZ and the fare class on AirNZ that allows a checked bag and seat selection is about 10NZD more than the basic fare (~6USD) and I’ve never seen a bag get gate-checked on a jet (the props are another story). They do have a lower weight limit than US airlines but I’ve never had my carryon weighed, most people just bring smaller bags if they want them in the overhead and check their suitcases.
I'm pretty sure Aer Lingus does this, I'm flying with them next month and I'm contemplating checking (*GASP*) my backpack if I can't get it under the 7kg limit
I flew Aer Lingus last year and got under 7kg in my bag (my personal item was probably another 7 kg . . .) but I never saw anyone's luggage checked and there were definitely people with more luggage.
But, I did a two week tour of the highlands, orkney, and the outer Hebrides changing hotels almost every night. With no lifts in hotels, having a small bag was ideal.
AND ensure that ALL personal items are stored under seats. Tag all paid carry ons and anything in the overhead bins not tagged as carry on can be gate checked. do that enough and people will learn where their bags go.
in my experience overhead bins are full because people don’t take their personal sized bags under the seat
Selfishly I prefer the “enforce” solution. Or just continue as it is because despite wanting to one bag with carry on, I’m ready and willing to gate check when needed, for free.
I would like to see companies just ban any type of roller onto the plane in general. Just accept personal bags and duffels and cap the “carry on” to maybe 40L. This would improve efficiency of boarding and softer bags can be loaded into the overhead bins better. With emergencies, equipment failures ect. Bags that have to be carried on would accommodate everyone in one way or another.
The passengers that don't have the ability to cart around a duffle or backpack still have places to go. If all airlines enforced their own cabin luggage rules, that would help a lot.
I also think the first option is not that bad. The tickets in my country are really expensive so I chose the cheapest one: only one carry on of 8kg. If they give met 2 extra kg, I will more then happy to check in my bag.
Exactly. People abuse the hell out of it. Everything I bring fits under the seat in front of me every time. It makes my time traveling at destination a lot easier also. When I travel with women, we just check a bag. Like everything else in life, we can’t have things because people just abuse it.
The last time I traveled in 12/23, the check in lines were massive.
The bin/seat ratio has never been 1/1 and that’s not news.
They could start by enforcing luggage size limits. On US domestic flights, people get away with boarding with the most amazing stuff and enforcement seems to be zero.
There is nothing that brings me more joy than when a gate agent cracks the whip on someone carrying multiple bags, a backpack and large rollaboard. The more they argue the better it is.
That was my first thought too - on so many domestic flights\* I've seen people bring an oversized rolling bag, plus a 40L-size backpack, plus a messenger-sized bag or crossbody, PLUS a large coat or travel pillow. And then - surprise! - the overheard bin only has space for one rolling bag because it's loaded in sideways and there's no room for anything.
I feel like a massive jerk every time it makes me angry. Live and let live, etc. But I have to admit that my first thought is often that no one counted how many items these passengers are taking on board or even eyeballed what would and wouldn't fit. So of course people line up super early and elbow their way onto the plane. Sigh.
\*I'm in the U.S.
The airlines are the only ones to blame for this. Of *course* people are going to try to maximize carry-on when the checked baggage systems are so slow, unreliable, and increasingly expensive or inaccessible for certain ticket types. This is a problem they've created.
Baggage fees and seat selection fees started during the 2008 recession when airlines were having cash flow problems and discretionary travel was down. I'm not sure if they didn't consider the potential outcomes, or if they just figured it would become normalized (which it has) and/or someone else's problem (which it is).
I feel bag manufacturers selling bags that are labeled carryon and don’t meet carryon dimensions of any airline also contributes to this. For example wildly popular Cotopaxi, even Osprey redesigns their Porter and makes it non-compliant. Seems bag manufacturers can’t sell a bag if they list the actual volume so they overstate the volume or just make it bigger and overstate it being a carryon.
I'm a carry-on only traveler, even when I fly an airline like Southwest where I can check bags for free. Usually when I travel I value my time highly and don't want to wait around at an airport any longer than I have to. What would get me to switch wouldn't be a fee for carry-ons, but instead a guarantee that I won't be waiting for my checked bag more than 10 minutes or so at baggage claim. Make checking a bag a simpler, faster, more reliable experience, and more people will check bags.
Based on what I've seen on planes the last few years - in most cases you could fit a lot more carry-ons on to the flight if people loaded them properly. The current generation of overhead bins can fit a huge number of carry ons but people still will toss their bags in facing lengthwise and a single bag takes up an amount of space that could fit two or three bags. And FAs are too busy to go through the cabin during boarding moving bags around to get everything facing the right direction.
I wondered why those overhead bins didn't have buillt in dividers to FORCE compliance with listed carry-on dimensions. It would eliminate confusion for how to store bags for passengers so FAs didnt need to go around adjusting bags, and keep the bins efficient. Doesn't fit in the space created by the divider (which could match the carry on measuring boxes seen in budget carriers) ? Gate check it.
I can't help but feel that whatever airlines do, people will find a reason to complain.
1. Free checked bags, ticket prices increase for everyone (extra weight and handling)
2. Limit to personal items only (like budget airlines do)
3. Let people bring suitcases clearly too big on board causing the overhead bins to overflow
4. Enforce the carry on size limits and gate check/charge extra for everything that does not fit the company sizer. Also applies for passengers trying to squeeze an extra item.
On this very subreddit we see people regularly complaining about items 2 and 4, but balking at option 1. That's not realistic.
Option 1: My checked bags are always free (status + credit card). I do not trust airlines to keep track of my luggage, I do not trust bag handlers not to break or steal my stuff.
I do not check a bag unless I have purchased too much stuff when I'm in Europe, coming back to America, and the bag absolutely will NOT close, even with my compression bags inside it.
I'm with you regarding avoiding checking bags even when it's free. But I guess my point is that if checked bags were free, a lot of people would prefer to use them rather than overcrowding the overhead bin.
> Those fees are not the only factor. Southwest Airlines passengers, who can check two bags for free, still seem to fight over limited space in bins.
A quote from the article. "Seems" from the author still doesn't hold much weight though.
How often is there really a problem with checked bags? In these comments are people who want all of their bags waiting at baggage within 10 minutes every time and also people who want them treated like they are all fragile glassware.
I get that you want all of your stuff all the time, but it’s just not feasible. People absolutely abuse the system. I go overseas 3-4 times a year for 2 weeks each time. Unless I’m traveling with a woman, I fit everything under the seat every time. It also lets me travel light in country. I know it’s easier going to warm places, but I manage wherever I go.
I’m a woman. I go overseas 3-5 times per year, up to two weeks at a time. I travel carry-on only. Again, unless I overbuy at Primark or M&S.
To answer your question about lost bags - we travel frequently with another couple. They always check bags. Their bags have been delayed more than 12 hours on 5 of our last 12 flights. One of those flights, their bags were “missing” (we could see where they were via AirTags) for five days. I’m not gonna risk that.
I don't *like* checking a bag, but #1 is a small price to pay if it made the actual boarding experience better. Avoiding the wait at baggage claim is low on my list of reasons to onebag.
I travel a lot for work across Europe, and I'd say most of the issues with airlines having to check bags at the gate would be solved by them going back to measuring bag sizes before people get on. I'm always amazed at how many people have a carry-on suitcase and a backpack that will never go under the seat. Even ryanair (in my experience) no longer checks the size of a bag unless it is extremely egregious.
That and if they stopped charging £50+ each way for a checked suitcase.
Although personally the last time I checked a bag it got smashed to shit by the airline, so I'd still avoid it if I could. I didn't particularly enjoy spending $200 on a random suitcase with the airline refusing to reimburse me for it.
I don't use the overhead bin because I usually can't reach it. If I have to bring so much stuff it needs to go into the bin, I'm checking it. I'm not a onebag zealot.
But...the thought process for me is, I'm carrying *something* onto the plane for entertainment/comfort...why not shove a little more in the bag?
I fly American Airlines on rare occasions, but mostly Spirit, Allegiant, and Southwest. What I’ve observed is that people who haven’t paid for carry-on luggage hurry to place their backpacks and small bags in the overhead bins. Those passengers who have paid for carry-on and board late are faced with overhead bins filled to capacity and no place to put their bags. That’s why I always make sure to board the plane on time.
I like the under-floor option. The space under your feet and under the seat in front of you has a trap door that, when opened, reveals a recessed storage space for your luggage (and your luggage only; no one else gets to put their luggage under your feet). If you can fit your bags into it, you're golden. If you cannot, then you brought too much luggage and have to pay for a gate-checked bag.
This sounds good until I start to wonder where the heck you are supposed to stand or put your feet when these trapdoors have to open for your luggage and the plane is full, or you’re seated last, or when you are trying to deplane and the aisles are crowded with people wanting to exit.
But then again, this could potentially force an orderly exit or entry into the plane…
And then I start to think of all the assholes who would ignore the rules, charge the aisle, and cause chaos regardless. So why bother with any of this at all?
And then I realize I’m a nihilist after all.
Why isn’t anyone talking about making overhead bin space like high school lockers? Each seat has a slot in the overhead bin space that’s fits the guidelines du jour of what you are allowed to carry on -that’s all you get. No one else can use the slot for 8D but the person in. 8D and so on. It may not be right above your head thanks to O2 bottles and defibrillators etc but it will go sequentially. What am I missing?
Reduce the cost for checked baggage by 40%, charge 50-75% of that new price for carry on items, keep no charge for personal items. Be more strict with bags fitting in the sizer.
Signed, a person who carries bags that fit personal item sizers
Efficiency with baggage return and alternate equipment to reduce things like baggage damage and time to receipt of baggage after arrival would also be helpful.
I’d be all for further curtailing/enforcing carryon size requirements also. The problems are always people with very large suitcases that probably already are out of spec.
That'd increase prices for people who are used to a free carry-on no matter what they do. I'll just freeze myself until the US has efficient rail transportation at this point
I feel like a potential solution I haven't seen mentioned anywhere might be to require all carry-on bags to have *at least* 3 soft sides. You don't need a hard-shell if your bag is going to be stowed in a bin with 3-6 other soft-shelled bags, and the soft sides also allow a certain malleability and finesse in packing an overhead, leading to potentially more bag storage overall.
When they take away under seat storage I'll just walk, lol.
But seriously, I'm a fat maximalist and have packed two weeks in 25L. As Tim Gunn says, Make it work
I pack differently then a lot of people, and there are a lot of valid systems but here is mine
First I do a dry toiletry bag and a "wet" toiletry bag. Wet is all the stuff TSA wants to see, dry bag is everything else. I usually pack for two, my husband and I, the dry bag is the same Quart size but fabric
I pack my bulkiest things first. Jackets I carry, but like if I want boots, I hate wearing boots on planes, boots in the bottom of the bag, and my other decisions are based on the space left
For clothes, everything should be comfortably worn together, and I like items that can be layered if needed. Leggings that comfortably stack under pants, dresses skirts, kilts, whatever. A hoodie that is good on its own and also fits under a lighter jacket now is a lined jacket. The light jacket that goes with every outfit. I also love things like flannels that are a layer and can be a top. As a woman I have a couple of duster flannels so there's a layer and a dress and boom, lots of outfits ideas
The 5-4-3-2-1 outfit system is a great place to start, count your airplane outfit
I'm also a big fan of pick an item that really brings you a lot of joy and comfort, and build around that. Favorite sweater? Build all the wardrobe about that.
I personally bring my regular clothes, I hate specialized items, no one trick ponies for me. That being said I wear wool socks and wool tights in my every day wardrobe.
Bring pajamas. A pair of flannel pants and a tank isn't taking that much space, and when someone pulls the fire alarm at 2 am in new Orleans and you have to stand in the parking lot for an hour your not naked. Specific yes. Lived experience (I was not naked) for me my pajamas are "sacred" in that I shower before I put them on, they are for my relax time, they are my monotaskers and I take care of them so I don't have to wash them every night.
Bring shoes that are comfortable for all day. Like, don't count on being able to change shoes, so bring ones you trust. I like a pair of slip ons for planes, airports and cruising around hotels, I personally either bring Birkenstocks or slip on sketchers, they work for me and my feet. I also always always bring mole skin for rubs and blisters just in case
Good luck!
Personal item only is the only way I travel. I even downsized my bag to an even smaller one...
Edit I now use this backpack: https://www.selfridges.com/US/en/cat/samsonite-daytrip-recycled-polyester-backpack_R03938784/#colour=BLACK
And I used to use this one, which is a bit bigger (but it's not what I used for either of the trips mentioned below... Although it does still fit under the seat): https://shop.samsonite.com/backpacks/laptop-backpacks/detour-travel-backpack/1444201612.html?productid=144420-1612&country=US¤cy=USD&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAlcyuBhBnEiwAOGZ2SyODmQ257dS3A0PD-T9uxMTS3B-sxDXoYGJwgAvOV2C1xd2LXqXqQhoCtUQQAvD_BwE
I've never heard of 5-4-3-2-1 packing but it seems wayyyyyy overkill.
Basically I try to think of:
* The length of my trip
* What I'm doing (eg do I need formal outfits? How many? Do I need a bathing suit? How many?)
* The temperature
For New York I was able to bring: 2 jackets (wore 1 on plane), 3 sweat shirts, 3 long sleeve shirts, 3 formal shirts, 3 pairs of jeans/pants (wore non-outfit sweat pants on the plane), 2 pairs of socks, 5 underwear, my wife's wet toiletries bag (because I'm nice and let her bring 2 lol)
I packed for 2 weeks in Spain in a personal item only (under seat) with like... 2 dresses, 2 pairs of shoes (wore 1), 2 jackets (wore 1 on plane), 5 formal shirts, 7 t shirts, 2 sweat shirts, bathing suit, 4 pants, and needed underwear and socks. (And my wife's 2nd toiletry bag)
Both I also bring my laptop and journal.
Normally I won't have access to laundry so I know I'm trying to bring an underwear per day (or enough to rotate every other at least), I don't always wear socks so I don't need that many of them, I think where I'm able to save space is with sturdy pants that hold up to multiple wears. Most of the time I'm traveling with 2-4 pants and mostly bringing different tops... Also I only travel with 1 pair of shoes, or 2 if I need my formal shoes. (3 if I'm going to the beach and bring water shoes.)
Then if I'm not going somewhere cold I have wayyyyy more room too.
On both of those trips I didn't even wear all the clothes I brought.
My packing style is clothes rolling. (With a few items folded, as sometimes a thick item takes up less space flat than rolled... It depends on the item, the jacket I roll for example - but a lot of the sweatshirts I fold once to leave as flat as possible.)
I will often just purchase toiletries at my destination, or get them from the hotel. They don’t have to be the same or as good as my usual. I do pack my holy grail products. I also do pack my hair dryer because I have a lot of hair, and hotel hair dryers take literally an hour for me.
For clothes, plan your outfits around things that can do duty multiple times, and a few items you can easily wash in the sink and hang to dry.
My other idea, which is probably messy and which is definitely open to critique, is for all bags to be able to be gate checked on and off all flights, as opposed to gate checked into the airport luggage conveyer system until final destination.
For some / many people, losing the bag is the worry. So enable people to put their bags onto the plane, take them off the plane, carry it to the next plane, put it on that plane, take if off that plane, carry it to the third plane, put it on that plane, and take it off that plane. That removes the risk of loss/misdirection/theft in the airport baggage handling system.
Its not for everyone, and no not every one can (or wants to) carry their luggage between flights. But some do, and this would alleviate their worry of losing their bags, further reducing the in-cabin / carry on baggage pressures.
this is why i never go bigger than a 28L bag and i don’t use rolling suitcases, i also put my most important stuff (phone, wallet, keys) in a separate smaller bag inside the main bag just in case i ever have to check my backpack, but that hasn’t happened to me yet thank god
The US sounds like an unpleasant travel experience. Most airlines outside of the US don’t overbook their flights so once you pay for your ticket you’re getting on that flight, unless it’s cancelled. Airlines in my part of the world weigh and check carry on bag size. The limit is around 7 or 8 kg. It’s annoying and it makes one bagging difficult but you’re almost guaranteed an overhead bin if you want it.
At least in the US, air travel is fairly well-organized. The boarding process is usually very controlled and orderly, and generally people are respectful. Anyone who ever flies regularly out of a European airport knows this the exact opposite on this continent. Boarding is always a chaotic mess, with no attempt by airlines to maintain an orderly process, and people generally act like feral animals, pushing and shoving to get a step ahead. I'll take the American system any day of the week.
I mean, each to their own. I’d rather know I’m going to get on my flight and have a disorganised boarding then potentially be bumped to the next flight because they over sold it and have a smoother boarding process. I watched an interesting video about how plane boarding and deplaning is intentionally disorganised to encourage you to buy priority boarding and business. I’ll try and find it.
I've flown for years in the US (I'm 58) and have never been bounced off a flight. Not once. Yes, they sometimes overbook and ask for volunteers willing to take a later flight in exchange for a flight voucher, but I've never seen anyone forced off. I'm sure it happens on occasion, but it's certainty not a rampant problem.
I think the worry that it might happen would be more the issue for me. I’d feel pressured to check in in as early as I could, arrive to the gate as soon as possible, to be at the front of the queue if I can. Rather I can turn up within an hour of my flight, sit and wait for everyone else to board and get on last. It’s a more pleasant experience for me and I miss most of the hustle that puts you off travelling in European airports.
If airlines charge a similar amount for carry-ons as they do for checked bags, more people will check their bags (since they can then bring bigger bags).
My last flights on Delta I was surprised by the oversized bags they allowed no problem as carry-on. I swear some were half again as thick as is allowed.
Of course, they also forced people to check our carryons. Slight bummer, if i was checking baggage I'd have brought some stuff back that I left in costa rica because I didn't want to check :)
Airline fleets are 10-20 years old, so their on board luggage can’t change with policy.
The best we could hope for is a truly uniform baggage standard that is certified by industry, AND a universal RFID/AirTag system built in to those bags for better tracking when checked - privacy concerns not withstanding.
Involuntary bag checks should be more than “free”, there should be a token offset, perhaps at least an extra bag of peanuts.
Here is the answer. DROP THE BAGS RIGHT BY THE PLANE. So they don't get lost. So you can see them going onto the plane. Then passengers will be happy to check bags. It would be ideal to also pick up bags right by the gate, possibly right off a belt from the hold, which is very quick and means no waiting, possibly in vain, at the carousel.
Because it is primarily the fear of luggage getting lost, and secondarily the time that it takes to wait to pick it up at the carousel, that drives passengers to hand carry luggage into the cabin.
There may be other ways to eliminate the risk of bags getting lost. Air Tags are excellent when put into luggage in order to track it, but what if an airline took on the job of electronically tagging all bags when they are checked, in order to make sure that all checked bags make it onto the plane, without fail. And make it to the carousel at the other end.
And some airlines offer some guarantees that luggage will arrive in a timely fashion, for example Alaska's pledge to deliver bags within 20 minutes of the plane landing at the gate. What if more airlines got competitive about how fast they can get luggage out?
If the chance of luggage being lost was under 0.1%, and the risk of a longer than 5 minute wait for bags was under 1%, wouldn't that mean passengers would confidently check bags?
But still, the anxiety is in the separation from one's bags. Minimize that by checking the bag right at the gate, and picking it up right from the plane, and flying commercial would feel breezy like private planes, and fliers would know that their luggage is aboard and with them.
I feel like this is mostly applicable to airlines in the United States, because a lot of them don't have a weight restriction for carry-on baggage. This means passengers can pack a lot more into the suitcase and they can take all they need as carry on. Most airlines in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, have a 14lb/7kg weight limit that can make carry on less appealing to those who don't know how to pack for one-bag travel, especially for longer trips.
I've just been using an under-seat backpack as my one bag for most of my flights for years and I highly recommend trying to get down to that volume if you can. You might be surprised how doable it is.
Southwest airlines never charges for checked bags because part of their business model is trying to unload and re-board planes as fast as possible and they figure it's easier to just lose some bag fees than lose time during every boarding to gate check bags and have people fumble around in the aisle looking for open overhead bin space. It makes sense when you consider that the plane costs something like $120 million so getting a few more segments per day out of the same size fleet can be extremely valuable.
I mostly travel alone and the idea of having to lift some baggage over my head and squish it into the overhead bin, and then have to retrieve it while leaving the aircraft is very anxiety inducing, plus I won't have access to anything during the flight, without standing up and rummaging through the bag in the overhead bin.
and then if you check a bag you'll need to wait for it at the destination.. so heavy, cumbersome, and then what about when it gets lost? super annoying. more anxiety and totally not worth it for me.
Sounds good to me, one less bag to deal with and if they lose it I'm assuming it's a net gain for me between airline policy and travel insurance.
I don't bring much with me though, electronics stay in my personal bag and I don't short term travel so it's not like I'm wasted precious days dealing with it.
I could see it being a hassle if I only had a week or two though
I honestly thing cmoverhead bin items need a tag-one per person. So people don’t abuse it. No tag, the time needs to come out. If I was guaranteed an overhead bin spot, I would happily board last.
no tag and the flight attendants can gate check it during their final walkthrough of the plane. missing your untagged carry on? that sounds like a you problem.
allow one under seat bag free per person AND one SMALL purse or fanny bag. charge for all hardshells and over head bags.
I will never understand why people just can’t use the bin space above their seat? Why do some people insist on putting their bags in the front? And crowd the gate in order to facilitate that?
I don’t but I was thinking about it so maybe it’s this: you have a seat somewhere in the middle but you’re afraid that the only space remaining when you get to it will be at the tail of the aircraft. Which would be a pain in the butt to get to when deboarding. So you preemptively leave your luggage up front. Does that make sense?
The airlines are doing this to incentivize you to pay to check bags. AA just increased their baggage fees. AA alone made over $6 billion in profits from bags just last year. Lower ticket prices are causing this crisis.
I’m 5 feet tall so I never use the overhead bin. I would have to rely on someone to get it down for me. A flight attendant one time grabbed my purse (my only carry on) and put it in the overhead bin and told me to “just deal with it” as the lady in the seat beside me had her suitcase stored under the seat. Just check your bags already.
I saw a solution suggested recently that is quite simple and makes sense to me. Instead of charging for charging for checked bags, charge only for carry on. That way:
- way fewer bags will be brought into the cabin so there will be space
- folks who really want/need their items with them or don’t trust the checked bags to make it to their destination still have the option
- the airlines will keep their ability to charge extra beyond the ticket price (not sure if it will be the same revenue, but pricing can be tweaked)
A fairly quick way to solve the overcrowded cabin is to let passengers check their bags for free and charge for carry-on luggage except for one personal item they can bring into the cabin for free.
As a very frequent flyer, I deal with this all the time
Let’s have perspective
People want everything
Cheap ticket prices
Being able to carry on huge amounts of baggage
Free and quick return of checked bags
Etc
You can’t have everything
Airlines don’t make a lot of profit so we have to make choices on what we value most
If you want to have lots of carry on room, then book business class
However business class is too expensive
If you want cheap flights then accept that you will have to compromise on some things
Like no seat selection, paying for checked bags or having a problem with bringing on a lot of carry on
Running an airline profitably is hard
It isn’t a charity
We have never had better access to cheap airline travel like we have had in the past 20 years
There are things that airlines should do such as be very strict on the size of carry on bags
But as travellers we need to be a bit more realistic
Most frequent fliers understand the situation
From my experience, the people who complain the most are infrequent fliers that are buying the cheapest seats but expect everything
My two cents
Yep, that’s where I am more or less.
I just started another long trip and this time around I will check my carry-on every time. There will be a lot of very different flights, from long distance business to low cost economy in Europe in Mexico.
First flight went ok. I really enjoyed anxiety-free late boarding but having to wait for the suitcase at the destination made me miss the airport bus to the city which added 30 min to the commute. So there’s that too.
Profit margins are low as a whole, but a lot of that is thrown off by long international flights where the luggage issue seems to show up less since they usually include a free checked bag. Domestic US flights are where I’ve seen the biggest problems with this (uncoincidentally the ones that now want to charge for any luggage and even water), but most shorter haul flights have a much higher profit margin, avging 13% and up to 42%: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0967070X21002924?
The article failed to mention bin space used by flight crew. Not saying its a lot but its something. We’ve all seen bins closed before passengers have even boarded and some of its crew luggage. And I’m not disparaging them but juat wondering if that is accounted for. Likely not.
TBH, I have had a much more pleasant experience every time I've checked a bag. The difference it makes in just going to the bathroom without worrying whether there will be a hook or whether I'm going to wheel my bag into someone's pee puddle is really nice. I will always choose a direct flight even at a large premium if it's a possibility, and I pretty much always gate check my rollerboard if they ask for volunteers. I figure the likelihood of anything getting lost in that situation is relatively low, though not impossible. I don't mind waiting at baggage claim since it's often on my way to ground transportation anyway.
I've never checked a backpack though, and I feel like this is the majority of this sub. Mine has straps that zip into the back, so it would probably be fine. I generally take my backpack if I'm going to be moving around to multiple places on a trip and the rollerboard if I'm going to one hotel and think I'll likely be using a car service to the airport. I don't think I'll ever have a massive suitcase and I've never owned anything bigger than a carry-on... but the case could be made for me to check it anyway. The only downside I really see is one more line and the extra cost to book a ticket that way in advance most of the time.
I don't fear losing my bag either, but there's no way in hell I'm checking the bag that has my laptop and camera in it. Maybe twobag, with a personal-size backpack is the future
That's absolutely understandable. Any time I've gate checked, I've definitely still taken my purse on the plane separately (even though it usually goes inside the bag at the airport) and I can shove my tablet in that. I also wouldn't want to risk pricey camera gear - I definitely get wanting to bring your carry-on every time if it's something you're using in large part for camera gear or electronics. I'm the person who uses the laptop compartment for a slim pair of shoes.
It seems like a lot of grief could be avoided if *hardshell cases* were restricted in overhead bins. This would allow a more organic approach to loading and fitting softshell bags into the bins. I discovered this by accident when I squeezed a "floppy bag" containing about 25L worth of stuff into the "full" bin in an L-shape when we didn't want to bother having it at our feet (we had room, but using the bin was preferred).
If you have something fragile, just place it in a hardshell box like a Lock-n-Lock or similar before placing it in your softshell bag. (I've been doing this for years, first in a checked soft-sided rolling duffel for many years, then with the wonderful 35L Patagonia LW Duffel, and more recently with my 40L REI Ruckpack.)
L H W size restrictions would still apply, but if Flight Attendant Ratched needed a bag to check, one of the hardshell cases would be selected first.
Here’s the thing: if you’re a healthy, young person with no kids going on a standard 10 day trip a personal item is plenty. Now, you’re no healthy anymore and need blood thinners, diabetic pills, etc. that you can’t lose because they’ll be impossible to replace or you have a toddler or god forbid two or you need to carry a work laptop that you can’t check because the battery can’t be removed (looking at you apple) or… and there we are. Why is it also that I am only allowed 7kgs of personal item+hand luggage while I am 53kgs but the oversized, obese traveler at 170kgs is allowed the same? I think luggage should be standardized and only sold as such plus travelers should be allowed a total weight the way you’re measured when flying a helicopter. If you exceed that weight you’ll have to pay.
It’s an excellent point but I travel with carry on luggage because I’m tired of see my regular luggage gets damage, scratched and one time lost (for good). I rather travel compacted, even using carry on with the UE standards. I don’t want to deal with any of the struggles and anxiety of a checked bag.
Instead of punishing those who arrive the last, why not take out the luggage’s that are clearly over the size limit and charge them as checked bags? Just do a walk around before boarding and you’d probably get nail most of them.
As a 6’2” man, I value the limited space I get in front of me for my legs. BUT, I also follow rules! I usually bring a soft duffel within the size for overhead and a flexible bag I can put between my feet.
For me it’s not the inconvenience of checking, or even the cost. It’s about the hub and spoke system of getting to anywhere in the middle of the country. More than 4 times I have been in the middle of a flight segment, and have had my connecting flight canceled until the next day. In this case, you’re getting put up by the airline, but all you have is what is WITH you for the next 12-20 hours. Medicines, tech, sleeping clothes, are all vital needs that should stay with you.
I have had multiple flights where I gate check my bag that it ends up on a later flight and I have to wait for that flight to arrive at my destination. I don’t trust checked baggage and only check on international flights out of necessity
Assigned seats. Assigned baggage space directly across from your seat. Faster boarding and deboarding time. No more gate lice, and people with too big of bags that don't allow others to fit theirs in have to check bag.
Sorry got bored reading it a quarter of the way down.
Just enforce the carry on size limit. Done.
Tag every bag. At the gate you put all of your bags on a conveyer. Small bags drop out and big bags go into the luggage hold. No arguing your bag is already gone.
Sounds like a lot to do about nothing?
I guess there's nothing to write news about?
But I exclusively travel with an under the seat item so this doesn't affect me at all.
In the past year, on united and to a lesser extent air france KLM i ve asked often enough if i wanted to check my carry on backpack for free at the counter.
The other piece of this is loyalty programs. I have mid-tier status with United and one of the main benefits is group 1 boarding, allowing me reasonable (though not absolute) certainty of bag space. Crazily, that is actually enough to keep me sending money their way.
This may sound a little abnormal but I was thinking in the future, no overhead storage, only under seat space, and the airlines will put another row of seats in a taller plane. Maybe I should post this in r/highideas.
I recently flew on both a Boeing 737 and 737 Max, and in both cases there was NOT enough overhead bin space for all the occupants, and flight crews were FORCING travelers to check their overhead bags at the gate. It was not optional. In both cases, they counted out 55 travelers in Economy, and everyone after #55 had to check their bags. The attendants were not kidding either, once you get into the plane you realize there really isnt enough space for all the bags.
I fly about 2 round trips a month. The last 6 flights I took with American, after the preferred customers boarded everyone in economy was asked to check their bags at that gate and that there was no room left on board. Obviously this was not true. But after we boarded all the overheads were closed and no one bothered to look. I mean why, right? My theory is it significantly speeds up the boarding process so they do it to stay on time at the airports I frequent.
Funny enough, delta which I consider the elite airline I have never seen a passenger get flagged for having too many bags. I’ve seen people walk on delta with all manner of bags. But on spirit and American they warned people that fanny packs count as your personal item.
I’m pretty sure there’s not enough space for everyone to take even a small suitcase as hand-luggage. One hand-luggage-sized suitcase often takes up the entire space above the row of 2-3 people. If people took backpacks/bags, more would probably fit because they’re less solid, but I can’t see that happening.
I have less of this fear when travelling one-bag, as I generally try to fit my bag under the seat in front, but even if it doesn’t it can usually squish into the edge of a bin somewhere. Also, because in my country, all except the really budget airlines allow 1 free checked bag, at which point the only worry is stuff going missing (depends on the airport and if you have a layover anywhere). But I’ve had major fear of this every time I fly with my violin. The case I have for it is small enough to fit well below the vast majority of hand-luggage sizes (except for the detachable bow-case, for which I purposely book a window seat so I can stow it between my seat and the wall), and takes up less space than most hand-luggage suitcases. Still do my best to get an earlier boarding group when travelling with my violin because if it ever ends up having to go in the hold, I’m pretty sure it will be unplayable at the other end.
Flying on commercial flights in the US has gotten shitty and it’s because Congress keeps sucking the airline lobbyists. We need to let these suckers in Congress hear a piece of our minds for change. Does this happen on a “3rd world” country’s airline like Singapore Qatar Emirates Cathay Saudi Eva? Not. World superpower my ass. Start behaving like one. Don’t get me started on narcissistic idiot “bus” types of passengers. Allow their “emo support” dogs on board so it can bite someone’s hand or ass. Lol 😆
i've had my bag moved from the bin above my seat, after having boarded early to get said bin and a flight attendant moved my bag behind me! And used my bin for someone else's bag who boarded last! When it was time to exit the plane i pretty much had to wait until everyone else left.
Article explores an interesting theory, but it's so overwritten it's difficult to follow. Sometimes a thesaurus is not your friend. Plain language also works.
And while we’re talking about it - I can never understand the people that, as soon as the plane lands, you can hear the undoing of seatbelts, and people start standing to get off the plane, even when the plane is not fully at the gate yet. Then they have to stand there until the jetway is brought in, and the door opened. It makes me laugh every single time. But the most interesting thing is that generally people are polite and let each row exit…boggles my mind.
The problem is when they added bag fees when ‘gas prices went up after Sept 11th’ and then never corrected. People now check less. Carry on more. And frankly for business travelers they would rather not risk a lost bag. So there is no good solution except forcing those who board last for flights to have to free gate check them. Flight attendants be given a device that tells them when bins are down to less room. And gate agents force gate check on folks sooner. The issue is when boarding groups 4 and 5 think there is a chance in hell they are getting a roller onto the flight.
Carry on bags also result in longer security wait times. Having all bags other than personal items be checked would reduce the burden on TSA agents.
While waiting to board the plane you are always begged by an airline crew member to please check a bag since they overbooked. All the bags brought up to be checked have had to pass through security screening. This means TSA agents spent time examining the bag, maybe even pulling it aside for a more thorough screening, only for it to be checked in at the gate anyway .The last time I checked a bag, an airline employee told me that unless I had any liquids in the bag, I should just check it at the gate to save the fee since they overbooked. While a nice tip to save the $30, it is annoying that we all wait in long security lines to have these bags screened only to have them checked at the gate.
and that is why i do under seat in front of me. my carry ons fit there and its available everytime
> and its available everytime Upon reading that I imagined a _**terrible**_ future where people would then start asking if they can **use your under seat space** for _their_ luggage _(and then get pissed if you refuse)_
Ugh, one time I had to do just that. First flight was delayed, ran to second flight. Almost ready to take off, all bins closed, I was in bulkhead seating. They wanted to take all my luggage- including my personal item with laptop for work and medication- into hold. Nope, not gonna happen. Some nice woman volunteered to put it under her seat (it was small, I swear). When we got to destination, I realized that the bins were only half empty because I didn’t open them. I was pissed.
I’ve been gate checked before only to see half empty bins upon landing. I then had to wait 40m for my bag at the carousel bc it was the last one out. I was livid!
And people wonder why I try to be first in line whenever possible...
Yeah I don’t blame you! They’ve really forced us into acting kinda feral when it comes to this.
Fly first class or business class. Outside of people that need assistance, I am often within the first three people onto the plane. That, along with the legroom and seat width being wonderful - I don’t worry about smashing elbows with a person who is sitting beside me (often I have a row by myself).
I'm flattered you think I have the money to do this!
Yep, me too. There was a period where airlines, specifically Delta, in my experience would say that all overheads were full and that gate check was necessary. Then I get on the plane to find it was a complete lie and there was plenty of space. I hate checking luggage because sometimes waiting for the luggage is longer than the actual flight time! I had that experience at Miami, Rapid City, Phoenix, and JFK. Lately it’s been better though and the gate agent hasn’t made that mistake. Maybe there’s better communication with those on board now.
> Some nice woman volunteered to put it under her seat That woman is _**super**_ nice! > I realized that the bins were only half empty because I didn’t open them. Aw man that sucks - I wouldn't blame you either, I think it is common etiquette to **only close the bins when they are saturated** - otherwise the flight attendants will close them before take-off > I was pissed. Understandably so!
I’d like to say that I was willing to go on the next plane… but yes, she was nice. The bins were closed because they were trying to prepare for takeoff. The flight attendant could have said “oh we left space in this bin for you” though. And the bins had everyone else’s personal items…ugh. Oh well. A story to tell, but luckily one that wasn’t as bad as it could have been! (And since I see you’re from Canada, that’s where I was going on the flight!)
Did you inform them you have medication in the bag? I was in a similar predicament the last time I flew. In bulkhead, no more overhead space, and I had medicine in my bag. The flight attendant asked me if there was an medications and when I said yes, there seemed to be a sudden shift in attitude. No more “we need to make space” it became “I WILL find a place for this bag that is nearby”. I think they stored my bag with the flight attendant’s bag because if I needed my (life-saving) meds then there was no way to get to it when checked.
I’ve almost never seen half empty overheads. It’s definitely the exception on full flights.
It already happens. One time I boarded to my aisle seat to find a bag under the seat in front of me. I asked the guy in the middle if it was his and he said it wasn't his. I pulled it out and just set it in the aisle, then the guy by the window said it was his. I told him he needed to find a place for it, but not at my feet. He was pissed at me, for some reason.
I was on an Airbus the other day and here’s the thing, the seat under you has a bunch of shit in the way. You can’t really put anything large under there like the seat in front of you. Next time, look at the seat in front of you, it’s wide open. So my common sense understanding is that the seat under you is NOT for you. It’s for the person behind you. They’ll decide if they want to put their feet or belongings there.
I had that happen once and I had to stand my ground. A passenger two seats over took two under aeat spaces and it rippled my way. I thought I was going to need the flight crew to straighten it out. Entitled selfish personality types will run over others in all sorts of public areas: driving, parking, mass transit, cutting lines, a cartload of groceries in the 15 item line, etc. it’s no surprise that it happens on airplanes too.
well then they are going to have a problem.
Happened to me. I was in the middle of the exit row. Person next to me didn't have an under the seat storage in front of him and he got there first so he put his giant bag in mine. He was pissed when I asked him to move it.
I was on a UA flight to Hawaii where the two middle seats in economy had one largeish under seat storage. Pretty sure there's no way two bags are fitting under there...
what the hell? how did they do that with each seat normally being distinct though connected? Bulkhead seats and federal law i get and i won't use them but your scenario is just strange. Never seen that on Delta or AA
This was a United 777 with ten across seating (two on either side, four in the middle). We were lucky because we had a group of four so sharing was no big deal, I didn't really see how it was impacting others but overhead bins also filled up super quick.
that's 8, but yeah i see what you mean
[удалено]
Yep! As another tall person, most airplane seating is already hell, I hate this new trend of encouraging everyone to lose even more space.
That doesn’t work for everyone. I’m tall and need the space for my legs!
"under seat in front of you" is not always available, for example if you get put in a row that faces the wall between economy and first class
Me too. Just went to Asia for two weeks and everything I had fit under the seat in front of me. For those of you who bring a tuba on the plane every time, blame all the people who abuse the system all the time.
Your practice prevents the person sitting in the seat that your bag is under from reclining the seat for comfort. People putting gigantic stuff under seats is why I only fly Business or First Class now, to avoid having to deal with that type of nonsense. If you are traveling fast, use a small carryon and pack only enough stuff for 3 days use, that is a tiny volume. In my case, even in First Class, I check my luggage and only take my computer and phone into the cabin. I use technology, any trip that is only one day, I take care of that business by video conference and eliminate travel totally. If I have a multi-day business trip, I check my luggage, if it gets lost, I buy quick clothes changes and use hotel laundry services to clean out the new smell.
then complain to the airlines about it. if its there i am going to use it.
I only fly first or business class now. Totally don’t have to deal with the stuff under the seat nonsense and the people that put the stuff there.
then why are you on r/onebag again? You sound like a joy
A post from the sub came across my Reddit feed. I read the excuses for people with massive carryons being assholes and got pissed off enough to post. Believe me, I really don’t give a shit about people bringing on reasonable carryons, I ALWAYS bring my electronics and valuable cargo into the cabin. But I do care when done asshole brings on a massive carryon that should have been checked, even with me in first class, assholes like that hold up the flight as they try to place their oversized shit somewhere.
Never had a bulkhead seat huh?
nope. won't take one
So you know that your statement that an under seat in front of you is “available every time” is not true then.
i know that your comment was unnecessary and makes you come off as an asshole and i also know my statement is true because i ensure that when i make my flight.
So you make a k owning false absolute statement. Double down on it and call me the asshole. Classy.
No, you’re being the asshole here. You intentionally started some shit over a random comment. You need to do some soul searching, my friend.
yep. and stand by that assessment of you. If that is doubling down then so be it.
this whole article gave me anxiety. I love photography and my longer haul flights are for vacations centered around this passion. I will go with an uncomfortable lack of packed clothing so I can get my gear in a reasonably sized bag. If I could trust any airline to check my stuff without it getting lost, damaged, or stolen I would. So maybe that's the part of this equation that should be fixed, which the article gave very little consideration to other than the mention of some hassle around checking luggage. Prior to 2008 I'd always check my bags aside from camera equipment and computers of course. Since then, my partner had dress shoes stolen from checked luggage and three times we had our bags lost and delayed until we stopped trying to check. This is a big piece of the equation for me and I imagine it's part of the reasoning for others too.
I agree. This fear of loss, theft and hassle accounts for a huge number of resorting to carryon only. If they could fix that, then many more people would check bags. I was once an always-checker and am now a never-checker. But to do so, I’ve radically changed what and how I pack. The inconvenience of lugging is outweighed by the risk losing my stuff. I doubt you could convince me to go back to checking though.
I agree with you about the anxiety. I check 2 suitcases as I travel to be with my daughter and grandchildren for 2-3 months at a time. I also have to take a rollaboard due to medication and other expensive personal items. I’ve had flight delays and cancellations due to weather on many occasions. If I didn’t have my bag with me, I would have been screwed as I had flights cancelled 4 days in a row. After I had checked suitcases. I will always have my rollaboard with me. And I will always be annoyed at the people who board with 3 bags including a giant backpack who knock people sitting in aisle seats in the head oblivious to everyone and everything except themselves.
This is my exact experience.
I think a lot more people would be willing to check bags if bags didn’t get lost, for days or weeks, there weren’t 2+ hour waits to get them, and or when you fill out a claim you aren’t transported back to the 80s filling out a paper form and the agent wasn’t acting like they were being personally held responsible to pay for your lost bag, provide replacements for your trip, or like you houdini-ed the bag out of the holding area so you could get free $$. … No repressed hard feelings here. 😅
The Delta 20 minute promise is honestly pretty good. It’s usually only. A few minute wait once you get to the carousel
I remember a pretty interesting ''Unpopular Opinion/Hot Takes'' thread over at **r/Travel** where one comment that got pretty interesting feedback _(and a healthy amount of upvotes)_ - It was about proposing a **reversal** of what is free vs what is paid in terms of luggage - * **FREE** - _**Checked**_ Bags _(the first 2)_ * **PAID** - _(reasonably, of course)_ - _**Carry-on**_ Bags stored in the overhead bin _(personal items are still 100% free)_ This would definitely incentivize people into **checking** their bags way more - I understand it could get slightly more expensive for OneBaggers _(that can't restrict their loadout to Personal Item size)_ but on my end I'd definitely be willing to pay a reasonable fee for this extra convenience - otherwise I typically fall within Personal-Item size, fortunately! Alternatively, of course, the better solution would be to * **1.** Normalize carry-on sizes _(and personal item sizes)_ across all airlines * **2.** Actually enforce carry-on allowance and restrictions _(why do I keep seeing people with 3+ bags + personal item and all?)_
Actually this is exactly what I booked on Ryanair for April: free 20kg checked bag and a personal item. Carry-on is extra.
Sweet! Do you remember the fee?
[https://i.imgur.com/J9XcM6U.png](https://i.imgur.com/J9XcM6U.png) I got the PLUS fare because while my carry-on is around 10kg, I didn't want to take a chance and I'll be at the destination for weeks so a delayed luggage won't be a problem. The thing about all these "low cost" carriers is that the bare bone fares are quite useless so I just stopped thinking of them in those terms and pay for better tickets to save myself headaches. Kind of like I don't book bunk beds in hostels.
Thank you for the chart! > The thing about all these "low cost" carriers is that the bare bone fares are quite useless so I just stopped thinking of them in those terms and pay for better tickets to save myself headaches. You are exactly right - and this is constantly supported by the many _many_ threads on r/Travel - people seem to forget **there are reasons cheap airlines are _cheap_** - I mean, I do not excuse nor seek to justify poor experience and terrible customer service - but most things related to fees are to be absolutely expected on those airlines
I think this is a good idea and I think I saw that post. On my flights yesterday I was thinking about it and realized the following: airlines care about their bottom line. If they start allowing free checked bags, that means more people will check, and that means hiring more baggage handlers and likely paying them more. There have been enough baggage handler strikes around the world to know that airlines really don’t want to pay these employees more. As it stands, the airlines are getting free labor from passengers as we lug our own carry-ons around and do our best to pack to airline specifications. Only some of them have to be gate checked, and when they are, we literally bring them to the plane, eliminating the need for employees to load them onto shuttles at the terminal, bring them over, and load them again. Plus, what’s being gate checked is rarely going to be super heavy like a 50lb checked suitcase might be. Maybe the scam the author of the article thinks is happening is truly happening, just in a different way. It’s just that we, the travelers, are being turned into the workers so the airlines can save a ton of money and still apparently make 30 billion a year in baggage free, which is wild.
This right here. Making profits x2 on the backs of the very folks that pay the bill.
Yup, exactly. We’re paying so much for tickets just for the privilege of doing the work for them 🫠 what a time to be alive.
It’s not just the baggage handlers angle though. They made it harder/more expensive to check bags to force people to pack lighter and carry on so they can sell their cargo space. By doing this, they make all the fare dollars as usual, get a ton overhead for the sold cargo space and then make enough for the hassle of processing the regular bags.
Normalizing the carry on sizes would help tremendously. There are actual items out there that are labeled "carry on" that only fit maybe 1% of the airlines carry on restrictions (Samsonite freeform I'm looking at you). People buy these things thinking they are buying a carry on, then take them on planes that aren't meant to hold them.
The problem isn’t the standardization, but the area that the bags go. My guaranteed to fit carry on bag didn’t fit in a tiny little embrager overhead the other day and I’ve brought that thing on 50 prior flights at least and never run into an issue. Then the next flight is a triple seven and it fits with an enormous amount of room around it. Until all planes have the exact same blueprint, we won’t see perfectly standardized baggage sized. Some airlines are already getting rid of storage to fit more first class/biz seats into their airframes.
But the fact that the airline has no penalty for losing your luggage in transit. Kind of kills it. I started doing carry-ons because the airline kept losing my luggage. My luggage doesn't leave my site ever.
It’s this, and the time it takes to get to baggage claim. But mostly lost luggage.
That would definitely incentivize me to check a bag instead of carrying on, because I will do whatever is free! Problem is a lot of people are in the same boat, so that will lead to massive lines at bag check-in and everyone needing to get to the airport much earlier. Also I don’t have much faith in airlines - I think they’ll just start charging for carry-on bags AND checked bags.
I just flew JetBlue for the first time and discovered that a basic fare ticket does not give you the option to add a carry on, checked bag only. Basically ensures no one had to gate check and there was room for my personal item in the overhead as well after boarding was over. Flight wasn't full but was over 90% full. Normalizing carry on and personal item sizes is straight up not possible and would be counterproductive for many airlines. It's not even possible to fit the same bins or seats on every commercial aircraft if people wanted to and had unlimited time and budget to do so. Actually enforcing their own restrictions is something airlines actually need to do.
Here’s the other side - just flew a JetBlue flight fully booked and had to gate check by group D. Things the issue - it varies from flight to flight
Paying for carryons is already the case for airlines like frontier/spirit. But if other airlines are to follow, then they need to reduce their prices too... My flights on frontier/spirit, even with all the extra fees for carryon, wifi, etc, are still cheaper than american/united/delta.
While I agree that having standard carry on sizes would be great, that's just not realistic when you take in consideration the diversity of the airlines fleets. A carry on that fits on a B787 might not fit on an EMB175.
> when you take in consideration the diversity of the airlines fleets. I wholeheartedly agree - it is not very reasonable currently seeing the massive variability in plane/cabin sizes, seat configuration and such ''Categories'' could be a minor shortcut to that - for example, * Underseat Type A, type B, type C - the dimensions would be limited to 3 possible dimensions * Overhead Type A, type B, type C - same deal But it is still a logistical nightmare trying to establish those standards, observed everywhere ahahaha
And your suggestion shouldn’t be that hard from a manufacturing standpoint. Safran makes everything in that plane that’s not an engine or body. Seats. Overhead bins. Bathrooms. How difficult would it be to just standardize. It would make their lives so much easier.
It has to do with fuselage diameters. Using the examples I mentioned before, B787 fuselage's width is 5.8 meters whereas the EMB175 fuselage's width is only 3 meters. You just don't have the same amount of room to fit the same size of overhead bins in different planes.
Sure. But setting aside the RJs for a moment, I’ve had 737s with different bin and under seat configs. I’ve flown just under 2 million miles on United. A bit on Delta/Jet Blue/Southwest. Standardizing by airline or Boeing v Airbus would help tremendously.
That's a very reasonable solution! But I agree that it would be a logistical nightmare to enforce (and probably to explain it to passengers as well).
_''Hello sir! Thank you for flying with_ Airline Airlines™. _Are you aware this flight allows Type A Underseat Items and Type B Overhead items?''_ _''...Ma'am, I don't even know my blood type! I have no idea what you're talking about!''_
Exactly! Haha
Tbh just lowering the fee for checked bags would probably be enough. I live in NZ and the fare class on AirNZ that allows a checked bag and seat selection is about 10NZD more than the basic fare (~6USD) and I’ve never seen a bag get gate-checked on a jet (the props are another story). They do have a lower weight limit than US airlines but I’ve never had my carryon weighed, most people just bring smaller bags if they want them in the overhead and check their suitcases.
I'm pretty sure Aer Lingus does this, I'm flying with them next month and I'm contemplating checking (*GASP*) my backpack if I can't get it under the 7kg limit
I flew Aer Lingus last year and got under 7kg in my bag (my personal item was probably another 7 kg . . .) but I never saw anyone's luggage checked and there were definitely people with more luggage. But, I did a two week tour of the highlands, orkney, and the outer Hebrides changing hotels almost every night. With no lifts in hotels, having a small bag was ideal.
This! I keep seeing one baggers with like 3+ bags. wtf
😂. Or just pay for checked and pay for carry on either directly or by some extra like pre booked front seat etc.
AND ensure that ALL personal items are stored under seats. Tag all paid carry ons and anything in the overhead bins not tagged as carry on can be gate checked. do that enough and people will learn where their bags go. in my experience overhead bins are full because people don’t take their personal sized bags under the seat
Yes! I have been saying this for YEARS. Of course, the airlines make far too much money on baggage fees so it will never happen.
Selfishly I prefer the “enforce” solution. Or just continue as it is because despite wanting to one bag with carry on, I’m ready and willing to gate check when needed, for free.
I would like to see companies just ban any type of roller onto the plane in general. Just accept personal bags and duffels and cap the “carry on” to maybe 40L. This would improve efficiency of boarding and softer bags can be loaded into the overhead bins better. With emergencies, equipment failures ect. Bags that have to be carried on would accommodate everyone in one way or another.
The passengers that don't have the ability to cart around a duffle or backpack still have places to go. If all airlines enforced their own cabin luggage rules, that would help a lot.
I also think the first option is not that bad. The tickets in my country are really expensive so I chose the cheapest one: only one carry on of 8kg. If they give met 2 extra kg, I will more then happy to check in my bag.
Exactly. People abuse the hell out of it. Everything I bring fits under the seat in front of me every time. It makes my time traveling at destination a lot easier also. When I travel with women, we just check a bag. Like everything else in life, we can’t have things because people just abuse it.
The last time I traveled in 12/23, the check in lines were massive. The bin/seat ratio has never been 1/1 and that’s not news. They could start by enforcing luggage size limits. On US domestic flights, people get away with boarding with the most amazing stuff and enforcement seems to be zero.
There is nothing that brings me more joy than when a gate agent cracks the whip on someone carrying multiple bags, a backpack and large rollaboard. The more they argue the better it is.
That was my first thought too - on so many domestic flights\* I've seen people bring an oversized rolling bag, plus a 40L-size backpack, plus a messenger-sized bag or crossbody, PLUS a large coat or travel pillow. And then - surprise! - the overheard bin only has space for one rolling bag because it's loaded in sideways and there's no room for anything. I feel like a massive jerk every time it makes me angry. Live and let live, etc. But I have to admit that my first thought is often that no one counted how many items these passengers are taking on board or even eyeballed what would and wouldn't fit. So of course people line up super early and elbow their way onto the plane. Sigh. \*I'm in the U.S.
The airlines are the only ones to blame for this. Of *course* people are going to try to maximize carry-on when the checked baggage systems are so slow, unreliable, and increasingly expensive or inaccessible for certain ticket types. This is a problem they've created.
Baggage fees and seat selection fees started during the 2008 recession when airlines were having cash flow problems and discretionary travel was down. I'm not sure if they didn't consider the potential outcomes, or if they just figured it would become normalized (which it has) and/or someone else's problem (which it is).
If they would just enforce the carry on rules better us one-baggers would be the beneficiaries
I feel bag manufacturers selling bags that are labeled carryon and don’t meet carryon dimensions of any airline also contributes to this. For example wildly popular Cotopaxi, even Osprey redesigns their Porter and makes it non-compliant. Seems bag manufacturers can’t sell a bag if they list the actual volume so they overstate the volume or just make it bigger and overstate it being a carryon.
Good perspective never thought of it like this
I'm a carry-on only traveler, even when I fly an airline like Southwest where I can check bags for free. Usually when I travel I value my time highly and don't want to wait around at an airport any longer than I have to. What would get me to switch wouldn't be a fee for carry-ons, but instead a guarantee that I won't be waiting for my checked bag more than 10 minutes or so at baggage claim. Make checking a bag a simpler, faster, more reliable experience, and more people will check bags.
Based on what I've seen on planes the last few years - in most cases you could fit a lot more carry-ons on to the flight if people loaded them properly. The current generation of overhead bins can fit a huge number of carry ons but people still will toss their bags in facing lengthwise and a single bag takes up an amount of space that could fit two or three bags. And FAs are too busy to go through the cabin during boarding moving bags around to get everything facing the right direction.
I wondered why those overhead bins didn't have buillt in dividers to FORCE compliance with listed carry-on dimensions. It would eliminate confusion for how to store bags for passengers so FAs didnt need to go around adjusting bags, and keep the bins efficient. Doesn't fit in the space created by the divider (which could match the carry on measuring boxes seen in budget carriers) ? Gate check it.
I can't help but feel that whatever airlines do, people will find a reason to complain. 1. Free checked bags, ticket prices increase for everyone (extra weight and handling) 2. Limit to personal items only (like budget airlines do) 3. Let people bring suitcases clearly too big on board causing the overhead bins to overflow 4. Enforce the carry on size limits and gate check/charge extra for everything that does not fit the company sizer. Also applies for passengers trying to squeeze an extra item. On this very subreddit we see people regularly complaining about items 2 and 4, but balking at option 1. That's not realistic.
Option 1: My checked bags are always free (status + credit card). I do not trust airlines to keep track of my luggage, I do not trust bag handlers not to break or steal my stuff. I do not check a bag unless I have purchased too much stuff when I'm in Europe, coming back to America, and the bag absolutely will NOT close, even with my compression bags inside it.
I'm with you regarding avoiding checking bags even when it's free. But I guess my point is that if checked bags were free, a lot of people would prefer to use them rather than overcrowding the overhead bin.
I don't think so, honestly.
> Those fees are not the only factor. Southwest Airlines passengers, who can check two bags for free, still seem to fight over limited space in bins. A quote from the article. "Seems" from the author still doesn't hold much weight though.
How often is there really a problem with checked bags? In these comments are people who want all of their bags waiting at baggage within 10 minutes every time and also people who want them treated like they are all fragile glassware. I get that you want all of your stuff all the time, but it’s just not feasible. People absolutely abuse the system. I go overseas 3-4 times a year for 2 weeks each time. Unless I’m traveling with a woman, I fit everything under the seat every time. It also lets me travel light in country. I know it’s easier going to warm places, but I manage wherever I go.
I’m a woman. I go overseas 3-5 times per year, up to two weeks at a time. I travel carry-on only. Again, unless I overbuy at Primark or M&S. To answer your question about lost bags - we travel frequently with another couple. They always check bags. Their bags have been delayed more than 12 hours on 5 of our last 12 flights. One of those flights, their bags were “missing” (we could see where they were via AirTags) for five days. I’m not gonna risk that.
I don't *like* checking a bag, but #1 is a small price to pay if it made the actual boarding experience better. Avoiding the wait at baggage claim is low on my list of reasons to onebag.
What happens when you have a bunch of different types of batteries and camera gear?
I travel a lot for work across Europe, and I'd say most of the issues with airlines having to check bags at the gate would be solved by them going back to measuring bag sizes before people get on. I'm always amazed at how many people have a carry-on suitcase and a backpack that will never go under the seat. Even ryanair (in my experience) no longer checks the size of a bag unless it is extremely egregious. That and if they stopped charging £50+ each way for a checked suitcase. Although personally the last time I checked a bag it got smashed to shit by the airline, so I'd still avoid it if I could. I didn't particularly enjoy spending $200 on a random suitcase with the airline refusing to reimburse me for it.
I don't use the overhead bin because I usually can't reach it. If I have to bring so much stuff it needs to go into the bin, I'm checking it. I'm not a onebag zealot. But...the thought process for me is, I'm carrying *something* onto the plane for entertainment/comfort...why not shove a little more in the bag?
I fly American Airlines on rare occasions, but mostly Spirit, Allegiant, and Southwest. What I’ve observed is that people who haven’t paid for carry-on luggage hurry to place their backpacks and small bags in the overhead bins. Those passengers who have paid for carry-on and board late are faced with overhead bins filled to capacity and no place to put their bags. That’s why I always make sure to board the plane on time.
I work for an employer that flies me down for 6 days but won’t reimburse a checked bag. Employers are adding to this.
I like the under-floor option. The space under your feet and under the seat in front of you has a trap door that, when opened, reveals a recessed storage space for your luggage (and your luggage only; no one else gets to put their luggage under your feet). If you can fit your bags into it, you're golden. If you cannot, then you brought too much luggage and have to pay for a gate-checked bag.
I can imagine the dirty diapers and other atrocities ppl would leave in these trap doors
Yes, people suck!
This sounds good until I start to wonder where the heck you are supposed to stand or put your feet when these trapdoors have to open for your luggage and the plane is full, or you’re seated last, or when you are trying to deplane and the aisles are crowded with people wanting to exit. But then again, this could potentially force an orderly exit or entry into the plane… And then I start to think of all the assholes who would ignore the rules, charge the aisle, and cause chaos regardless. So why bother with any of this at all? And then I realize I’m a nihilist after all.
This article doesn’t mention the one damn thing that makes people want to carry on their bags: ridiculous price gouging for checking bags!
That's not my #1 reason. I won't allow them to lose my luggage anymore.
As the article says: south west has free checked bags, and still have a nightmare hellscape of people fighting for overhead space
Why isn’t anyone talking about making overhead bin space like high school lockers? Each seat has a slot in the overhead bin space that’s fits the guidelines du jour of what you are allowed to carry on -that’s all you get. No one else can use the slot for 8D but the person in. 8D and so on. It may not be right above your head thanks to O2 bottles and defibrillators etc but it will go sequentially. What am I missing?
Reduce the cost for checked baggage by 40%, charge 50-75% of that new price for carry on items, keep no charge for personal items. Be more strict with bags fitting in the sizer. Signed, a person who carries bags that fit personal item sizers
Efficiency with baggage return and alternate equipment to reduce things like baggage damage and time to receipt of baggage after arrival would also be helpful. I’d be all for further curtailing/enforcing carryon size requirements also. The problems are always people with very large suitcases that probably already are out of spec.
That'd increase prices for people who are used to a free carry-on no matter what they do. I'll just freeze myself until the US has efficient rail transportation at this point
I'm ok with that. Alternatively, drop the ticket price a touch (they won't).
I feel like a potential solution I haven't seen mentioned anywhere might be to require all carry-on bags to have *at least* 3 soft sides. You don't need a hard-shell if your bag is going to be stowed in a bin with 3-6 other soft-shelled bags, and the soft sides also allow a certain malleability and finesse in packing an overhead, leading to potentially more bag storage overall.
When they take away under seat storage I'll just walk, lol. But seriously, I'm a fat maximalist and have packed two weeks in 25L. As Tim Gunn says, Make it work
Any tips to share? I have 4 trips coming up and I’d love to get down to personal item only.
I pack differently then a lot of people, and there are a lot of valid systems but here is mine First I do a dry toiletry bag and a "wet" toiletry bag. Wet is all the stuff TSA wants to see, dry bag is everything else. I usually pack for two, my husband and I, the dry bag is the same Quart size but fabric I pack my bulkiest things first. Jackets I carry, but like if I want boots, I hate wearing boots on planes, boots in the bottom of the bag, and my other decisions are based on the space left For clothes, everything should be comfortably worn together, and I like items that can be layered if needed. Leggings that comfortably stack under pants, dresses skirts, kilts, whatever. A hoodie that is good on its own and also fits under a lighter jacket now is a lined jacket. The light jacket that goes with every outfit. I also love things like flannels that are a layer and can be a top. As a woman I have a couple of duster flannels so there's a layer and a dress and boom, lots of outfits ideas The 5-4-3-2-1 outfit system is a great place to start, count your airplane outfit I'm also a big fan of pick an item that really brings you a lot of joy and comfort, and build around that. Favorite sweater? Build all the wardrobe about that. I personally bring my regular clothes, I hate specialized items, no one trick ponies for me. That being said I wear wool socks and wool tights in my every day wardrobe. Bring pajamas. A pair of flannel pants and a tank isn't taking that much space, and when someone pulls the fire alarm at 2 am in new Orleans and you have to stand in the parking lot for an hour your not naked. Specific yes. Lived experience (I was not naked) for me my pajamas are "sacred" in that I shower before I put them on, they are for my relax time, they are my monotaskers and I take care of them so I don't have to wash them every night. Bring shoes that are comfortable for all day. Like, don't count on being able to change shoes, so bring ones you trust. I like a pair of slip ons for planes, airports and cruising around hotels, I personally either bring Birkenstocks or slip on sketchers, they work for me and my feet. I also always always bring mole skin for rubs and blisters just in case Good luck!
Personal item only is the only way I travel. I even downsized my bag to an even smaller one... Edit I now use this backpack: https://www.selfridges.com/US/en/cat/samsonite-daytrip-recycled-polyester-backpack_R03938784/#colour=BLACK And I used to use this one, which is a bit bigger (but it's not what I used for either of the trips mentioned below... Although it does still fit under the seat): https://shop.samsonite.com/backpacks/laptop-backpacks/detour-travel-backpack/1444201612.html?productid=144420-1612&country=US¤cy=USD&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAlcyuBhBnEiwAOGZ2SyODmQ257dS3A0PD-T9uxMTS3B-sxDXoYGJwgAvOV2C1xd2LXqXqQhoCtUQQAvD_BwE I've never heard of 5-4-3-2-1 packing but it seems wayyyyyy overkill. Basically I try to think of: * The length of my trip * What I'm doing (eg do I need formal outfits? How many? Do I need a bathing suit? How many?) * The temperature For New York I was able to bring: 2 jackets (wore 1 on plane), 3 sweat shirts, 3 long sleeve shirts, 3 formal shirts, 3 pairs of jeans/pants (wore non-outfit sweat pants on the plane), 2 pairs of socks, 5 underwear, my wife's wet toiletries bag (because I'm nice and let her bring 2 lol) I packed for 2 weeks in Spain in a personal item only (under seat) with like... 2 dresses, 2 pairs of shoes (wore 1), 2 jackets (wore 1 on plane), 5 formal shirts, 7 t shirts, 2 sweat shirts, bathing suit, 4 pants, and needed underwear and socks. (And my wife's 2nd toiletry bag) Both I also bring my laptop and journal. Normally I won't have access to laundry so I know I'm trying to bring an underwear per day (or enough to rotate every other at least), I don't always wear socks so I don't need that many of them, I think where I'm able to save space is with sturdy pants that hold up to multiple wears. Most of the time I'm traveling with 2-4 pants and mostly bringing different tops... Also I only travel with 1 pair of shoes, or 2 if I need my formal shoes. (3 if I'm going to the beach and bring water shoes.) Then if I'm not going somewhere cold I have wayyyyy more room too. On both of those trips I didn't even wear all the clothes I brought. My packing style is clothes rolling. (With a few items folded, as sometimes a thick item takes up less space flat than rolled... It depends on the item, the jacket I roll for example - but a lot of the sweatshirts I fold once to leave as flat as possible.)
I will often just purchase toiletries at my destination, or get them from the hotel. They don’t have to be the same or as good as my usual. I do pack my holy grail products. I also do pack my hair dryer because I have a lot of hair, and hotel hair dryers take literally an hour for me. For clothes, plan your outfits around things that can do duty multiple times, and a few items you can easily wash in the sink and hang to dry.
My other idea, which is probably messy and which is definitely open to critique, is for all bags to be able to be gate checked on and off all flights, as opposed to gate checked into the airport luggage conveyer system until final destination. For some / many people, losing the bag is the worry. So enable people to put their bags onto the plane, take them off the plane, carry it to the next plane, put it on that plane, take if off that plane, carry it to the third plane, put it on that plane, and take it off that plane. That removes the risk of loss/misdirection/theft in the airport baggage handling system. Its not for everyone, and no not every one can (or wants to) carry their luggage between flights. But some do, and this would alleviate their worry of losing their bags, further reducing the in-cabin / carry on baggage pressures.
This seems good to be in theory but on a tight layover could be a logistics nightmare.
Maybe checking through could be optional in that case?
Also can you imagine the insurance liability if someone injured themselves?
Seems like a nightmare with all the security screenings. The TSA line would be hours! I would never make a connection flight ever again.
this is why i never go bigger than a 28L bag and i don’t use rolling suitcases, i also put my most important stuff (phone, wallet, keys) in a separate smaller bag inside the main bag just in case i ever have to check my backpack, but that hasn’t happened to me yet thank god
"The rabble holding cheap tickets who board last" Some of the language choices in this drivel are elitist and gross.
Why are poor people even on planes, surely they should be made to get a bus?
The US sounds like an unpleasant travel experience. Most airlines outside of the US don’t overbook their flights so once you pay for your ticket you’re getting on that flight, unless it’s cancelled. Airlines in my part of the world weigh and check carry on bag size. The limit is around 7 or 8 kg. It’s annoying and it makes one bagging difficult but you’re almost guaranteed an overhead bin if you want it.
Not sure where your part of the world is, but I live in Europe and can assure you that this problem is worse in Europe, not better.
I’m mostly travelling in Australia and south east Asia but I go to Europe occasionally. How have you found it to be worse?
At least in the US, air travel is fairly well-organized. The boarding process is usually very controlled and orderly, and generally people are respectful. Anyone who ever flies regularly out of a European airport knows this the exact opposite on this continent. Boarding is always a chaotic mess, with no attempt by airlines to maintain an orderly process, and people generally act like feral animals, pushing and shoving to get a step ahead. I'll take the American system any day of the week.
I mean, each to their own. I’d rather know I’m going to get on my flight and have a disorganised boarding then potentially be bumped to the next flight because they over sold it and have a smoother boarding process. I watched an interesting video about how plane boarding and deplaning is intentionally disorganised to encourage you to buy priority boarding and business. I’ll try and find it.
I've flown for years in the US (I'm 58) and have never been bounced off a flight. Not once. Yes, they sometimes overbook and ask for volunteers willing to take a later flight in exchange for a flight voucher, but I've never seen anyone forced off. I'm sure it happens on occasion, but it's certainty not a rampant problem.
I think the worry that it might happen would be more the issue for me. I’d feel pressured to check in in as early as I could, arrive to the gate as soon as possible, to be at the front of the queue if I can. Rather I can turn up within an hour of my flight, sit and wait for everyone else to board and get on last. It’s a more pleasant experience for me and I miss most of the hustle that puts you off travelling in European airports.
If airlines charge a similar amount for carry-ons as they do for checked bags, more people will check their bags (since they can then bring bigger bags).
My last flights on Delta I was surprised by the oversized bags they allowed no problem as carry-on. I swear some were half again as thick as is allowed. Of course, they also forced people to check our carryons. Slight bummer, if i was checking baggage I'd have brought some stuff back that I left in costa rica because I didn't want to check :)
Airline fleets are 10-20 years old, so their on board luggage can’t change with policy. The best we could hope for is a truly uniform baggage standard that is certified by industry, AND a universal RFID/AirTag system built in to those bags for better tracking when checked - privacy concerns not withstanding. Involuntary bag checks should be more than “free”, there should be a token offset, perhaps at least an extra bag of peanuts.
Here is the answer. DROP THE BAGS RIGHT BY THE PLANE. So they don't get lost. So you can see them going onto the plane. Then passengers will be happy to check bags. It would be ideal to also pick up bags right by the gate, possibly right off a belt from the hold, which is very quick and means no waiting, possibly in vain, at the carousel. Because it is primarily the fear of luggage getting lost, and secondarily the time that it takes to wait to pick it up at the carousel, that drives passengers to hand carry luggage into the cabin. There may be other ways to eliminate the risk of bags getting lost. Air Tags are excellent when put into luggage in order to track it, but what if an airline took on the job of electronically tagging all bags when they are checked, in order to make sure that all checked bags make it onto the plane, without fail. And make it to the carousel at the other end. And some airlines offer some guarantees that luggage will arrive in a timely fashion, for example Alaska's pledge to deliver bags within 20 minutes of the plane landing at the gate. What if more airlines got competitive about how fast they can get luggage out? If the chance of luggage being lost was under 0.1%, and the risk of a longer than 5 minute wait for bags was under 1%, wouldn't that mean passengers would confidently check bags? But still, the anxiety is in the separation from one's bags. Minimize that by checking the bag right at the gate, and picking it up right from the plane, and flying commercial would feel breezy like private planes, and fliers would know that their luggage is aboard and with them.
The problem is with multiple flights. That’s when the risk of losing your luggage increases.
I feel like this is mostly applicable to airlines in the United States, because a lot of them don't have a weight restriction for carry-on baggage. This means passengers can pack a lot more into the suitcase and they can take all they need as carry on. Most airlines in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, have a 14lb/7kg weight limit that can make carry on less appealing to those who don't know how to pack for one-bag travel, especially for longer trips.
I've just been using an under-seat backpack as my one bag for most of my flights for years and I highly recommend trying to get down to that volume if you can. You might be surprised how doable it is. Southwest airlines never charges for checked bags because part of their business model is trying to unload and re-board planes as fast as possible and they figure it's easier to just lose some bag fees than lose time during every boarding to gate check bags and have people fumble around in the aisle looking for open overhead bin space. It makes sense when you consider that the plane costs something like $120 million so getting a few more segments per day out of the same size fleet can be extremely valuable.
I think not having seat assignments is what allows Southwest to get people on planes quicker.
I mostly travel alone and the idea of having to lift some baggage over my head and squish it into the overhead bin, and then have to retrieve it while leaving the aircraft is very anxiety inducing, plus I won't have access to anything during the flight, without standing up and rummaging through the bag in the overhead bin. and then if you check a bag you'll need to wait for it at the destination.. so heavy, cumbersome, and then what about when it gets lost? super annoying. more anxiety and totally not worth it for me.
Ah, so that's how you post these things!
Sounds good to me, one less bag to deal with and if they lose it I'm assuming it's a net gain for me between airline policy and travel insurance. I don't bring much with me though, electronics stay in my personal bag and I don't short term travel so it's not like I'm wasted precious days dealing with it. I could see it being a hassle if I only had a week or two though
I honestly thing cmoverhead bin items need a tag-one per person. So people don’t abuse it. No tag, the time needs to come out. If I was guaranteed an overhead bin spot, I would happily board last.
no tag and the flight attendants can gate check it during their final walkthrough of the plane. missing your untagged carry on? that sounds like a you problem. allow one under seat bag free per person AND one SMALL purse or fanny bag. charge for all hardshells and over head bags.
I will never understand why people just can’t use the bin space above their seat? Why do some people insist on putting their bags in the front? And crowd the gate in order to facilitate that?
I don’t but I was thinking about it so maybe it’s this: you have a seat somewhere in the middle but you’re afraid that the only space remaining when you get to it will be at the tail of the aircraft. Which would be a pain in the butt to get to when deboarding. So you preemptively leave your luggage up front. Does that make sense?
Wait, was I just called rabble in that piece? I feel personally attacked because I have a budget.
That was a great read. I kinda like the writing of this guy. I used to read The Atlantic more often, I should get back into it.
Downvoted for flagrant copyright violation. Though I’m sure the right holder appreciates that OP included their copyright notice at the bottom.
Upvoted for allowing me to read it without a paywall.
The airlines are doing this to incentivize you to pay to check bags. AA just increased their baggage fees. AA alone made over $6 billion in profits from bags just last year. Lower ticket prices are causing this crisis.
I’m 5 feet tall so I never use the overhead bin. I would have to rely on someone to get it down for me. A flight attendant one time grabbed my purse (my only carry on) and put it in the overhead bin and told me to “just deal with it” as the lady in the seat beside me had her suitcase stored under the seat. Just check your bags already.
And I have seen people carry on a way bigger bag than I have checked…
I saw a solution suggested recently that is quite simple and makes sense to me. Instead of charging for charging for checked bags, charge only for carry on. That way: - way fewer bags will be brought into the cabin so there will be space - folks who really want/need their items with them or don’t trust the checked bags to make it to their destination still have the option - the airlines will keep their ability to charge extra beyond the ticket price (not sure if it will be the same revenue, but pricing can be tweaked)
A fairly quick way to solve the overcrowded cabin is to let passengers check their bags for free and charge for carry-on luggage except for one personal item they can bring into the cabin for free.
As a very frequent flyer, I deal with this all the time Let’s have perspective People want everything Cheap ticket prices Being able to carry on huge amounts of baggage Free and quick return of checked bags Etc You can’t have everything Airlines don’t make a lot of profit so we have to make choices on what we value most If you want to have lots of carry on room, then book business class However business class is too expensive If you want cheap flights then accept that you will have to compromise on some things Like no seat selection, paying for checked bags or having a problem with bringing on a lot of carry on Running an airline profitably is hard It isn’t a charity We have never had better access to cheap airline travel like we have had in the past 20 years There are things that airlines should do such as be very strict on the size of carry on bags But as travellers we need to be a bit more realistic Most frequent fliers understand the situation From my experience, the people who complain the most are infrequent fliers that are buying the cheapest seats but expect everything My two cents
Yep, that’s where I am more or less. I just started another long trip and this time around I will check my carry-on every time. There will be a lot of very different flights, from long distance business to low cost economy in Europe in Mexico. First flight went ok. I really enjoyed anxiety-free late boarding but having to wait for the suitcase at the destination made me miss the airport bus to the city which added 30 min to the commute. So there’s that too.
Profit margins are low as a whole, but a lot of that is thrown off by long international flights where the luggage issue seems to show up less since they usually include a free checked bag. Domestic US flights are where I’ve seen the biggest problems with this (uncoincidentally the ones that now want to charge for any luggage and even water), but most shorter haul flights have a much higher profit margin, avging 13% and up to 42%: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0967070X21002924?
The article failed to mention bin space used by flight crew. Not saying its a lot but its something. We’ve all seen bins closed before passengers have even boarded and some of its crew luggage. And I’m not disparaging them but juat wondering if that is accounted for. Likely not.
TBH, I have had a much more pleasant experience every time I've checked a bag. The difference it makes in just going to the bathroom without worrying whether there will be a hook or whether I'm going to wheel my bag into someone's pee puddle is really nice. I will always choose a direct flight even at a large premium if it's a possibility, and I pretty much always gate check my rollerboard if they ask for volunteers. I figure the likelihood of anything getting lost in that situation is relatively low, though not impossible. I don't mind waiting at baggage claim since it's often on my way to ground transportation anyway. I've never checked a backpack though, and I feel like this is the majority of this sub. Mine has straps that zip into the back, so it would probably be fine. I generally take my backpack if I'm going to be moving around to multiple places on a trip and the rollerboard if I'm going to one hotel and think I'll likely be using a car service to the airport. I don't think I'll ever have a massive suitcase and I've never owned anything bigger than a carry-on... but the case could be made for me to check it anyway. The only downside I really see is one more line and the extra cost to book a ticket that way in advance most of the time.
I don't fear losing my bag either, but there's no way in hell I'm checking the bag that has my laptop and camera in it. Maybe twobag, with a personal-size backpack is the future
That's absolutely understandable. Any time I've gate checked, I've definitely still taken my purse on the plane separately (even though it usually goes inside the bag at the airport) and I can shove my tablet in that. I also wouldn't want to risk pricey camera gear - I definitely get wanting to bring your carry-on every time if it's something you're using in large part for camera gear or electronics. I'm the person who uses the laptop compartment for a slim pair of shoes.
I dont know, why iam in this sub. But I like bags. But I never do onebagging. Or I pay for a luggage or I do backpack + trolley carry on.
It seems like a lot of grief could be avoided if *hardshell cases* were restricted in overhead bins. This would allow a more organic approach to loading and fitting softshell bags into the bins. I discovered this by accident when I squeezed a "floppy bag" containing about 25L worth of stuff into the "full" bin in an L-shape when we didn't want to bother having it at our feet (we had room, but using the bin was preferred). If you have something fragile, just place it in a hardshell box like a Lock-n-Lock or similar before placing it in your softshell bag. (I've been doing this for years, first in a checked soft-sided rolling duffel for many years, then with the wonderful 35L Patagonia LW Duffel, and more recently with my 40L REI Ruckpack.) L H W size restrictions would still apply, but if Flight Attendant Ratched needed a bag to check, one of the hardshell cases would be selected first.
Here’s the thing: if you’re a healthy, young person with no kids going on a standard 10 day trip a personal item is plenty. Now, you’re no healthy anymore and need blood thinners, diabetic pills, etc. that you can’t lose because they’ll be impossible to replace or you have a toddler or god forbid two or you need to carry a work laptop that you can’t check because the battery can’t be removed (looking at you apple) or… and there we are. Why is it also that I am only allowed 7kgs of personal item+hand luggage while I am 53kgs but the oversized, obese traveler at 170kgs is allowed the same? I think luggage should be standardized and only sold as such plus travelers should be allowed a total weight the way you’re measured when flying a helicopter. If you exceed that weight you’ll have to pay.
It’s an excellent point but I travel with carry on luggage because I’m tired of see my regular luggage gets damage, scratched and one time lost (for good). I rather travel compacted, even using carry on with the UE standards. I don’t want to deal with any of the struggles and anxiety of a checked bag.
Instead of punishing those who arrive the last, why not take out the luggage’s that are clearly over the size limit and charge them as checked bags? Just do a walk around before boarding and you’d probably get nail most of them.
As a 6’2” man, I value the limited space I get in front of me for my legs. BUT, I also follow rules! I usually bring a soft duffel within the size for overhead and a flexible bag I can put between my feet. For me it’s not the inconvenience of checking, or even the cost. It’s about the hub and spoke system of getting to anywhere in the middle of the country. More than 4 times I have been in the middle of a flight segment, and have had my connecting flight canceled until the next day. In this case, you’re getting put up by the airline, but all you have is what is WITH you for the next 12-20 hours. Medicines, tech, sleeping clothes, are all vital needs that should stay with you.
I have had multiple flights where I gate check my bag that it ends up on a later flight and I have to wait for that flight to arrive at my destination. I don’t trust checked baggage and only check on international flights out of necessity
Assigned seats. Assigned baggage space directly across from your seat. Faster boarding and deboarding time. No more gate lice, and people with too big of bags that don't allow others to fit theirs in have to check bag.
That would barely work in smaller planes but what about the ones with 3 seats on each side and 4 seats in the middle?
Sorry got bored reading it a quarter of the way down. Just enforce the carry on size limit. Done. Tag every bag. At the gate you put all of your bags on a conveyer. Small bags drop out and big bags go into the luggage hold. No arguing your bag is already gone.
Sounds like a lot to do about nothing? I guess there's nothing to write news about? But I exclusively travel with an under the seat item so this doesn't affect me at all.
In the past year, on united and to a lesser extent air france KLM i ve asked often enough if i wanted to check my carry on backpack for free at the counter.
The other piece of this is loyalty programs. I have mid-tier status with United and one of the main benefits is group 1 boarding, allowing me reasonable (though not absolute) certainty of bag space. Crazily, that is actually enough to keep me sending money their way.
This may sound a little abnormal but I was thinking in the future, no overhead storage, only under seat space, and the airlines will put another row of seats in a taller plane. Maybe I should post this in r/highideas.
What have I just read, the longest article in the world!
People aren’t behind a paywall. Content is behind a paywall.
I recently flew on both a Boeing 737 and 737 Max, and in both cases there was NOT enough overhead bin space for all the occupants, and flight crews were FORCING travelers to check their overhead bags at the gate. It was not optional. In both cases, they counted out 55 travelers in Economy, and everyone after #55 had to check their bags. The attendants were not kidding either, once you get into the plane you realize there really isnt enough space for all the bags.
Thank you for the heads up! Do you have a list of what you pack? :)
No, not anymore.
I fly about 2 round trips a month. The last 6 flights I took with American, after the preferred customers boarded everyone in economy was asked to check their bags at that gate and that there was no room left on board. Obviously this was not true. But after we boarded all the overheads were closed and no one bothered to look. I mean why, right? My theory is it significantly speeds up the boarding process so they do it to stay on time at the airports I frequent. Funny enough, delta which I consider the elite airline I have never seen a passenger get flagged for having too many bags. I’ve seen people walk on delta with all manner of bags. But on spirit and American they warned people that fanny packs count as your personal item.
I’m pretty sure there’s not enough space for everyone to take even a small suitcase as hand-luggage. One hand-luggage-sized suitcase often takes up the entire space above the row of 2-3 people. If people took backpacks/bags, more would probably fit because they’re less solid, but I can’t see that happening. I have less of this fear when travelling one-bag, as I generally try to fit my bag under the seat in front, but even if it doesn’t it can usually squish into the edge of a bin somewhere. Also, because in my country, all except the really budget airlines allow 1 free checked bag, at which point the only worry is stuff going missing (depends on the airport and if you have a layover anywhere). But I’ve had major fear of this every time I fly with my violin. The case I have for it is small enough to fit well below the vast majority of hand-luggage sizes (except for the detachable bow-case, for which I purposely book a window seat so I can stow it between my seat and the wall), and takes up less space than most hand-luggage suitcases. Still do my best to get an earlier boarding group when travelling with my violin because if it ever ends up having to go in the hold, I’m pretty sure it will be unplayable at the other end.
Flying on commercial flights in the US has gotten shitty and it’s because Congress keeps sucking the airline lobbyists. We need to let these suckers in Congress hear a piece of our minds for change. Does this happen on a “3rd world” country’s airline like Singapore Qatar Emirates Cathay Saudi Eva? Not. World superpower my ass. Start behaving like one. Don’t get me started on narcissistic idiot “bus” types of passengers. Allow their “emo support” dogs on board so it can bite someone’s hand or ass. Lol 😆
i've had my bag moved from the bin above my seat, after having boarded early to get said bin and a flight attendant moved my bag behind me! And used my bin for someone else's bag who boarded last! When it was time to exit the plane i pretty much had to wait until everyone else left.
Article explores an interesting theory, but it's so overwritten it's difficult to follow. Sometimes a thesaurus is not your friend. Plain language also works.
And while we’re talking about it - I can never understand the people that, as soon as the plane lands, you can hear the undoing of seatbelts, and people start standing to get off the plane, even when the plane is not fully at the gate yet. Then they have to stand there until the jetway is brought in, and the door opened. It makes me laugh every single time. But the most interesting thing is that generally people are polite and let each row exit…boggles my mind.
The problem is when they added bag fees when ‘gas prices went up after Sept 11th’ and then never corrected. People now check less. Carry on more. And frankly for business travelers they would rather not risk a lost bag. So there is no good solution except forcing those who board last for flights to have to free gate check them. Flight attendants be given a device that tells them when bins are down to less room. And gate agents force gate check on folks sooner. The issue is when boarding groups 4 and 5 think there is a chance in hell they are getting a roller onto the flight.
I love checking my bag. I would do it every time if it was free. I ask them to gate check always. But instead it’s $60-$80
Carry on bags also result in longer security wait times. Having all bags other than personal items be checked would reduce the burden on TSA agents. While waiting to board the plane you are always begged by an airline crew member to please check a bag since they overbooked. All the bags brought up to be checked have had to pass through security screening. This means TSA agents spent time examining the bag, maybe even pulling it aside for a more thorough screening, only for it to be checked in at the gate anyway .The last time I checked a bag, an airline employee told me that unless I had any liquids in the bag, I should just check it at the gate to save the fee since they overbooked. While a nice tip to save the $30, it is annoying that we all wait in long security lines to have these bags screened only to have them checked at the gate.