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Overhead bins become hot commodity once again
Does anyone else feel like the aviation industry is constantly looping in a vicious circle? Take the development of "luggage rules" in the last couple of years, for example:
- People were able to bring everything on, including liquids
- The idea of not being able to pack liquids made people checks all their bags. (Oh, the days of fast boarding with no carry on luggage!)
- Airlines start charging for checked bags, hence you return to point 1 (with liquids in a ziplog bag, of course)
"To make sure they can find room, some customers already push their way through boarding queues. Passengers struggle to stuff large bags into small bins, and flight attendants often find themselves taking bags off planes and checking them to their destinations once bins fill up."
Does that mean that you can get around paying a fee for a checked bag if you "attempt" to bring it on? Apparently, if you simply can't find overhead bin space, but your luggage fits the carry on criteria (i.e. isn't too big or too heavy), you will not have to pay. If it is too big, heavy or you have too many pieces of luggage, you will still have to pay.
Honestly, there is only one good thing that could come out of this. People might just start traveling light.
Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
FamilyTravelGirl Jun 17th 2008 9:19PM
"People might just start traveling light." This is the best advice yet! After years of lugging heavy suitcases filled with things that never got worn, I am now a big believer in traveling light. Not only do we pack a minimum amount of "stuff," but we always plan to do sink washing on longer trips (using a travel clothesline). Buying quick drying shirts, pants, (CoolMax) socks, and underwear for your travel wardrobe is a smart idea! -- Family Travel Girl (www.familytravelgirl.com)
Iva Skoch Jun 17th 2008 9:19PM
I am with you on that!
Joe Jun 18th 2008 10:09AM
Depending on the destination I pack just enough to get through the first few days. Beach trips just get a few pairs of shorts, trunks, shirts, and semi-formal for dining out. For trips to the mothership I just bring gifts because I still have clothes in my old room (thanks mom!). Everywhere else I check the weather forecast and pack accordingly.
Anyone that has been travelling for a while should have seen this coming and built the price of check-in into the budget. It's human nature to see the listed price and assume that's all you'll pay. Just like sales tax eventually we'll get used to the idea that the price listed isn't the only price we'll pay.