The two most common complaints about airlines on Twitter – regardless of airline – are damaged checked luggage, and that an airline made someone gate check their carry on bag only to have them board and discover that overhead bins had plenty of space left. Sometimes they appear completely empty in passenger photos on Twitter! But here’s one I happened to see right as I saw down on my last United flight.
@united You made me gate check my bag and there are lots of open overhead spots like this one #customerservicefail pic.twitter.com/bgo3Adrf6X
— Beth Meyer (@bethmeyer08) April 27, 2023
On Friday I flew an old United Airlines Boeing 737 with credit card swipe beside the screens. It had the old mostly non-functional wifi (seat back entertainment wasn’t working either), and the old small overhead bins.
United boards these aircraft 40 minutes prior to departure. When I turned up at T-35 the plane was mostly boarded (we were entirely boarded with plenty of time to sit before pushing back). The remarkable thing is that 5 minutes into boarding an agent was tagging everyone’s full-sized carry-on bags for gate checking.
I walked up, she tagged my bag and told me to drop it off at the bottom of the jet bridge. While everyone else whose bag was tagged did just that, I simply walked onto the plane and found one of the dozen or so empty overhead bin spaces – in this case one that was direct across from my seat 12C.
If I’d really been unable to find bin space, my bag was already tagged! It wouldn’t have taken much time to get back to the front of the aircraft and drop it of. There was no risk to an on-time departure anyway. Here’s the thing, though.
- I suppose if everyone did this, there wouldn’t be enough space
- And there would be more passengers trying to get back to the front of the aircraft with their bags
That would mean a bit of a delay, maybe a couple of minutes? But then maybe not, given how early we were to complete boarding. Although this fella never found a seat:
On the other hand United is doing this to everyone after a certain point in boarding, so aren’t they the ones causing a problem for a lot of passengers in the first place? And my plan didn’t cause an inconvenience to anyone.
So did I make the right tactical call, just walking on board and using the overhead bin space at my seat? Or did I do something ‘wrong’ by not dropping my bag off on the jet bridge for gate checking?
I have suggested to numerous airline executives that they’ve got bags backward. The first Checked bag should be free. Carry-on bags should be charged for / elite status.They all reply that it makes sense, but they’re not going to be the first ones to implement it. The idea obviously needs to be workshopped in order to be operationalized. Maybe first bag is 30lbs or something. Maybe like United does now, It’s enforced by boarding group. So you know groups 3+ don’t get carry-ons.
Think about it – there’s logic to wanting the convenience of having your bag with you. Space is constrained. Boarding and deplaning is hectic. If half the plane checked their bag, the bonus would be on them to show up in time to check the bag. The convenience is worth paying for. I am sick of being told to gate check my bag and finding the same situation that you saw.
Interested in your thoughts on this. Maybe your megaphone can get more people interested in this.
IMO, no wrong here. I think this is one of those triangular labor issues between management, ground staff and FAs. In a perfect world, FAs would help to make sure bags are placed in the bins in the most efficient manner, GAs and other ground staff would have tools to quickly tag bags that truly don’t fit and be better at smarter at enforcing rules (whether it is obnoxiously sized bags, airline specific policies around BE, etc.), and management would not seek to reward idiotic measures like D0 which come at the consequence of customer unfriendly policies like this (i.e. they would rather tag bags early than waiting for a clear sign the bins are full).
I hate gate-checking when I’ve got my laptop in my wheelie. Because now I’ve got to crouch, unzip, etc and it’s…not elegant, and indeed likely to cause dropped electronics. Which is never good. I’m not prone to clumsiness, but in that kind of setting, things get lost and damaged easily.
If challenged, I would say that I have necessary meds (or a laptop) in my bag (which would be true).
I’ve done this before! Let the bag be tagged, wheeled my suitcase down the ramp and into the aircraft. Figured if there truly was no room, I could just wheel it back to the jetway, after pulling some meds and my tablet out for the flight.
Like you, I found plenty of space in overhead bin. Not sure why this goes on. Would be a far better idea for agents to use a hand clicker as pax walk by with their bags.
Also: one last gripe. How hard is it for folks to understand what ONE bag (also known as carryone wheelie) and ONE personal item that can fit beneath the seat in front of you means?
Imagine if every pax ignored the gate agent requests to gate check. Bins full, kettles trying to swim upstream during boarding to drop their bag in the jetway like they were instructed. Departure delays as a result. Yeah, ignore the agent. Great suggestion.
I was well that ends well, I say. But I’m glad you didn’t get caught: otherwise, you might have been beaten up and arrested for the federal offense not complying with an airline employee’s order.
And this is why I cherish my 1K status. I only do carry-on (one bag, one backpack that fits under the seat). I prefer to have my bags under my control. Since my one bag is pretty much the maximum size, I graciously allow gate-checked bags on regionals, but if I can fit in the overhead, it stays with me. Having 1K, I know there will be overhead space when I board. Even if I drop to Platinum after this year (highly likely), I know that I’m in Group 1 and will be able to take my luggage on board.
In other words, good for you, Gary. Take advantage of the system.
Not wrong. Let the lightly traveled that do not know any better leave them at the jetbridge.
This is the way to:
1. cover their butts (gate agents and airline)
2. allow the savvy travelers to do their thing
3. FA’s do not have to be the bag police
Everybody wins!
Why do they do this?? I’m glad you were successful. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the first comment by @Sean in the future
This happened to me once. I was on my way to lead a women’s tour in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. All of daily itineraries for 20 people as well as the “Bible” of my information to lead the trip were in my carry-on bag. I had to take 3 flights to get to my destination. They wanted me to check my bag. They tagged it, and I carried it right on. When this topic came up in another forum sometime back, I mentioned this, and people said I was part of the problem. I would have been fired from my job if I had lost all of that information along the way, and wouldn’t have had a clue what to do when I got there. Sometimes you just HAVE to keep your bag with you!!
Sean, the airlines business has always been “monkey see, monkey do.” Once one airline does it, the rest will quickly adopt it. We just have to figure out how to pressure one airline to do that.
They tell you to put all your medications and jewelry and other valuables in your carry-on. Why then ask you to check it?
You are an absolute entitled a**. Crew onboard is there to monitor safety during boarding, not to worry about excess baggage issues that seem to occur frequently because every other person can’t part with “things” they can’t live without for a few hours.. You were absolutely noncompliant. There are a hundred moving parts to get an aircraft out safely and on time. Those tags are usually computer generated and tracked. It is a system designed to protect travelers & limit potential airline liability. You must be one proud SOB.
Really tired of this.
Flying FC on AA and they insisted ALL roller bags HAD to be checked.
Underwater photographer so my regulation size carry is filled with lithium ion battery lights, batteries, etc, plus laptop, tablet, 2 phones, kindle AND a bag of prescription meds.
AA and I went all 10 rounds on this with them refusing or saying I could wait for another flight.
Brought me a giant bag to basically empty my roller bag into to carry on the plane. Anyone see the stupidity in this? Now I have a loose fitting bag instead of a compact roller case?
AND, I’m in FC. Got on board, plenty of overhead space. That was my last flight on AA with them playing this game. I’ve noticed they do this in smaller regional areas. Never had this issue with them flying out of JFK or DFW.
I’ve said this before, I’ll keep saying it. When airlines can manage to stop losing checked bags, having them end up in piles next to dumpsters, or in some airline employee’s apartment, I’ll consider checking bags again. Until then, you’ll pry my (correctly sized) regular carry on and underseat roller from my cold, dead hands.
@Claude – I did not ignore or disobey the instructions of a flight attendant.
So the ramp will be looking for the bag you took on board, and if international they’re coming up to find you as there must be positive passenger bag match.
Just jerks the lot of you
You’re going to get 2 answers from people here and those answers reveal a lot about their worldview.
The strict rule-followers will say you’re wrecking the order of things and introducing chaos into systems that require people to follow the rules. They will only see selfishness, entitlement, and disregard for others in your actions.
The other set of people see foolishness and laziness in the blanket actions of United and will see efficiency in your creating exceptions that make sense (you and anybody who did the same) saving everybody on the plane the marginal time that loading and unloading more bags would require on both ends of the trip. And by “getting away with it” you’re indirectly improving your own flight experience which is probably to United’s overall advantage as well.
I suspect most people will fall pretty firmly into those 2 groups and be unlikely to change their opinions.
With regard to this:
“I have suggested to numerous airline executives that they’ve got bags backward. The first Checked bag should be free. Carry-on bags should be charged for / elite status.”
Airlines want the checked bag fee revenue stream and the airline affinity bank card revenue stream from bank cards providing a bag fee waiver of some sort. The airline execs don’t want to give that up. Also, carry-on luggage replacing checked luggage — due to the incentive provided by the airline checked bag fees — means outsourcing some of the luggage work onto customers and trying to act as a lid on costs for airline baggage handling/mishandling of checked luggage.
Even when Delta tried to provide passengers with incentives to check in bags instead of going heavy on cabin baggage, it didn’t fly well for more than just the reason of cabin baggage being more of a convenience for the customer than an equivalent amount of checked in luggage.
The gate agents will start tagging bags when the bag count reaches suggested capacity. Depending on size/style of carry on bags it is an average capacity. Or when the flight attendant notifies the gate agent to start checking bags.
If people start taking checked bags on board several things happen. No space and now it causes a jam in the aisle trying to get the bag back to the front (possible delay). Flight attendants hold the bags in the back gally and now runs the risk of mistaking bags (passengers bags get mistakes and sent to the wrong destination & possible delays). Ramp agents are now looking for bags that have been taken on the plane (possible delay and can cause weight and balance issues. The pilot has to know where the weight of items are going for proper flight/take off/landing/fuel). The more people that take their checked carry on onboard the more of a risk all on this causes.
Is it a perfect system? No. But I do suggest calling your airline and offering your suggestions. And remember the airline employees are just doing their jobs.
Yes, YTA here. Rules, regulations, and policies are all out in place for a reason. Whether or not you agree with them does not matter. By buying a ticket, you’re agreeing to follow the rules. Not following the rules comes with repercussions.
There are always exceptions, such as medications and the like. You do not, however, get to be an entitled Karen and not follow the rules just because you think you know better than a company that’s been doing this longer than you’ve been alive.
I can only hope you get thrown off the next flight you try this on.
@GUWonder – the policy just flips so the revenue *should remain* the same. Maybe the credit card benefits would be more valuable if you came with a carry on for everyone in your party (same as checked bag benefit). It could potentially apply with the early boarding “main 1 and above free carry on bags” otherwise, your ticket would have to show that you paid for the carryon. (Main 2&3) – obviously that part needs workshopping
Claude – you’re mumbling. Take the Flight Attendant’s cock out of your mouth and try again.
As much as I fly, which is almost every week or every other week, I’ve never seen a situation like this. Typically all bins are full before we even complete boarding. I fly American, so maybe it’s different. But there’s always that guy in group six that rolls through and throws his stuff up in first class. It’s hilarious to watch the flight attendant go and just pull it out and set it on the ground.
The narcissist has spoken… Gary is too important to follow the rules like the rest of us.
I’d say as a typical, self centered me first, typical entitled air travel company sponsored frequent flyer jerk you were wrong. You were lucky you made it past the crew standing at the door. There are crew members who would’ve stopped you and they would’ve well been within their duties to do so.
ATC, on his knees with Claude.
Gary, I’ve only had to get check once, but I feel dumb that I didn’t do what you did. Of course when I got on board there was plenty of space.
Don’t jerk me around be because you’re too lazy or to lacking in communication tools to see if they’re really is no space.
Wow, I’m surprised by some of the responses, not because they disagree with taking the bag on the plane but the vulgarity. Feel free to disagree and state your opinion but vulgarity is just not warranted. Must we degrade into an even more uncivilized society?
As a former gate agent , the commuter would tell us when to start checking bags.
It was just an estimation. Sometimes bins are full because many people use them for backpacks and coats. In my opinion its not recommended you take bag on the aircraft. . If everyone did this it would most definitely cause a delay. This is why you see everyone standing in boarding area anxiously waiting to board and get overhead space near their seat.
You should be added to the no fly list, endangering the lives of fellow passengers by not following the GA’s order. Every kettle should do as you suggest and just maybe they will fix the broken model they currently use.
/s
Two thumbs up to ATC,Claude,Domino ,Dave, and Rem
@youareajerk – indeed you are.
@claude – and you are being rude, obnoxious and insulting. Thus we can freely tell you you’re an a**hat.
I’ve heard gate agents say if you do what you did, they will come on board and find your bag. Is there any type of check that shows that checked bags are actually loaded? My guess not and gate agents who say that are just trying to scare people. I would have done the same as you.
The fact that we have commenters siding with corporations over individuals is funny. I think @DavidDeltaPlat’s explanation of how everyone wins makes sense. @Christian, I don’t find Gary to be a narcissist but for the sake of argument does it take a narcissist to know one?
They are getting more and more aggressive about the gate checking.The other half of it is when they say you have to gate check because your bag won’t fit in the bin, when it’s a connecting flight, and it fit just fine on the previous flight on an identical aircraft type.
According to federal law, you are required to obey crew member instructions.
But you were not yet on board, so in my view you are not in violation of federal law.
If I was part of the crew, I still would have kicked you off the flight
If its a manual check bag, then it would only be an issue if the flight was be audited and they counted the carry-ons when unloading. I saw them do this once at a regional, and they would not explain to me.
Lately, they seem so happy that I am checking the stroller, and my son and I are travelling together, not having issues with checked bags.
It’s not a question of right or wrong. It’s a question of efficiency. Flight attendants and gate agents are looking at what the overhead situation is and how many passengers are boarding and guessing when they’ll run out. Then it becomes an issue of the time it takes to take care of everything to be ready for departure.
At the end of the day, that’s all they care about, not profits or revenue (at least in general).
Try to game the system basically means you only care about yourself and say “as long as I get what I want, that’s fine no matter the cost to my fellow passengers”.
Luckily I always fly first class. We are the third group to board as now most airlines board active and retired military second, which I appreciate. It doesn’t make sense to me that when I try to trade my seat in first class with a soldiers seat in coach, I am told I’m not allowed to do this. I guess there are rules and regulations that must be followed so I dont let this bother me anymore. Before boarding I always notice people with atleast two bjg bags are standing right by the boarding area. Now I know why they are so insistent to hurry up and board. One passengers carry ons’ completely take up an entire bin. I always thought these were frugal people, too cheap to check a bag. After hundreds of flights and getting to know the flight attendants I’ve learned these people are just selfish. The airlines policy on carry on, I’ve always been told, one bag and one personal item. I carry a purse and a small backpack, the size of a booksack. The bin I use is the one over my seat and I barely take up half. My seat mate uses the other half. Once both of us are seated the flight attendant closes the bin. You would not believe how many late boarders open the bin above my seat and try to squeeze his/her oversized bag in with our bags. The flight attendant always comes up and takes the bag to have it placed in some outside compartment under the plane. If the passenger objects more than once about this, he or she are escorted off the plane. I’ve seen this happen many times and it still leaves me bewildered as to why anyone would do this. I’m a million miler flyer on two airlines and my luggage did not make it to my destination only one time. That’s one checked bag problem over the course of over two million miles. If I had to pay to check a bag I would. If I could not afford to check my bag I wouldn’t fly. I believe you get what you pay for and are treated as such. If you get upset because you choose to carry on 2 roller or bigger bags and you need a lot of overhead bin space, I would think about flying first class. Life’s too short to fret about carry on baggage.
Agree with others here Gary. So everyone should follow the rules, except you right? That’s what you are saying. Imagine if everyone ignored the agent checking their bag, and took their bags on the plane. But you’re special, right?! Seriously, your attitude of self-entitlement is obnoxious at the least. Do you ignore the seat belt signs too?
Certainly the FA standing at the plane’s door will know the overhead space status and would likely turn you away if there’s no room. Somehow WN mandates things…
The cabin crew and gate agent both have electronic devices to chat with each other in real time. The FA can tell the agent approx. how much space is left or when to start checking bags. Of course, one needs to account for the customers that have already boarded but are still waiting on the jetway with bags. And both employees have to not be distracted with other duties to actually SEE the messages from the others ok their device.
BUT, Gary, you’re an entitled dufus for thinking you can ignore the employees’ instructions. You are a customer, not an owner of the company. You don’t make the rules. I wish they had removed you from the aircraft, just because. You must be a pleasure to sit next to.
The moment u enter the gate 4 a UA flt, unending din from PA annoucements about checking bags begins.
Gary is special, however. There’s no doubt he is a significantly more experienced traveler both in personal miles flown, as well as knowledge of the ins and outs of airline operations, than any of the other passengers who were told to gate check the bags. And it turns out Gary was right. There was enough space onboard.
We all pull stunts like this in all areas of life when we know we attain a special level of expertise, so please spare me the lecture about how nobody is special. That’s just a phrase that grade school teachers invented to placate their kids, and it’s a phrase mindlessly repeated from the unintellectual cohorts of adult society. If you are special and you know it, flaunt it. “Entitlement” has a negative connotation but sometimes it’s correct and proper.
Analogies never work. Seatbelt signs are for others’ safety. I challenge you to tell me it was unsafe for Gary to bring his bag on board.
Not unless they have walked down the entire aisle and opened every closed bin and have a doctorate in topology and have performed all the calculations necessary to determine whether it is in fact physically impossible to stow another bag.
If FAs turned people away when there’s no room, then there would never be people walking back up the aisle to check their bag that the gate agent didn’t ask them to check.
What airlines should do is making checking a bag $10 per bag. When boarding status/elites get space. If you are infrequent flyer and there is no space then you pay $50 or $75 to have your bag checked at gate because this is where delays come from.
This would drive more people to check bags or at least ensure they can fit under seat. Airlines can notify you on boarding pass that there is a chance there will be no space so we are offering you to check all bags but if you have carryon it MUST fit in front of you. By charging a reasonable rate for checked bags, people would be more inclined to check them. By telling status flyers you are guaranteed space on plane or we gate check for free you are taking care of your valued customer. It’s too much of a free for all now.
Private Pilot – and I’d have sued you, you little Nazi POS.
AA refuses to let anyone onboard a CRJ with a roller board… Even if it fits in the overhead then they wreck your bag..BAD VER BAD POLICY!!!
What if you have a medical mobility scooter with a spare lithium ion battery. These are forbidden in checked luggage. They must be carried in the cabin. And/or you have lifesaving medicine that you must carry with you. Or you have a CPAP rhat you must carry with you.
Sorry, but there are some passengers who have carry-ons they can’t gate check
My carryon firs under the seat. When an agent tags it to be checked I just pull off the tag, board and stow under the seat.
The key to avoiding stress here is to have a carry on that fits under the seat in front. As small as you can get away with. Bank on not being allowed to use an overhead. Of course with lithium battery restrictions in checked bags this can be a challenge, but having a non-armored hand baggage item thrown in the hold can bring lots of misery later. Everyone wants to have a small wheeled case overhead and a second large bag under the seat, but there are always too many seats and never enough bin space.
If your bag met the size restrictions, you did nothing wrong; if it didn’t, shame on you.
If everyone did it, it would be a mess.
So yes, you are wrong to do it.
I just flew JetBlue nonstop from LAX to BUF and back. The cheapest ticket did not allow a carry-on but was much cheaper than the next higher class of coach. I bought a checked bag for both directions and also an assigned seat for both directions for a bit less than the next higher class of coach which included those. I had to board near the end but that wasn’t much of a hassle. This is how JetBlue handles the situation and has enough room for carry-ons. United could be clever and do the same but they don’t want to. The great thing was that I didn’t have too much on the trip to BUF but I was at the weight limit of the checked bag on the way back. There was no way I could carry 50 pounds of what I wanted to bring back in a carry-on. The flight attendants were also great.
I forgot to add, I have some lightweight foldable duffels to put stuff in if I have a carry-on and it has to be checked. I always have one with me. Some stuff cannot legally be put in the hold such as power banks and lithium ion batteries not installed in equipment (loose). That is actually the law and not something an airline gate agent is making up. The expensive perfume is also not going home with a ground staff person.
Wheeled baggage should be checked. Period. This also solves the problem. If you have a laptop bag or purse, great. Carry it on. If it’s too big for you to carry in your hand, it should go beneath the plane.
Today I was on an AA flight where they were telling passengers repeatedly that it was a full flight and to check their bags and many did.
And then you board the plane and it’s got the newer space saver bins and everyone’s bag would have easily fit onboard…
Hello!!!! I’ve been flying for ever. With the checked baggage an additional cost why not? It’s free. Only Americans cry about dumb things. I fly first class so I can check my bags, and, take a tiny bag with essentials. What’s so hard about that? The reason it takes to disembark is because people with carry on that they don’t need. Why??? Does it make people feel better to hold people up for no reason? Business people who carry on devices for work yes. Dummies who feel the need to have a carry on for no reason is annoying AF. How do we really know about available space in the bins until boarding?
The only issue I have with this is you posting it and letting everyone know you “got away with it”. So, exactly what you said, others that read this will do the same and the ensuing delays occur.
Is it really necessary to write about everything v(b)loggers do, every “hack” so everyone knows and thus, those that already knew and it was their little secret, can longer get that advantage.
Had this happen to an American Airlines flight out of Philadelphia on Dec 30th. But most people who were not white were allowed to bring their bag on the plane, which was the same size as mine, and the whites were asked to check on bags that you could clearly see were sized appropriately. The gate agent team was all black. Blatant discrimination.
You, being asked to check in a hand carried luggage when there was enough over head binspace is uncalled for
If I’m paying to fly FC and my roller bag is regulation size,then they damn well should not be requiring me to gate check it.
@ Gary — If they are stupid enough to let this happen, I say go for it.
Hey, i guess it’s all about you.
Thanks for the pro tip! Why should we be one of the chumps that blindly do what we’re told!
I’ve been on 2 flights this year where I watched gate ignore their own carry on policy – HA in HNL: a family of 5 boarded at the first opportunity for group 3; each family member has a roller type bag and a backpack that was stuffed – the same size as their individual roller bag – not personal item sized. The backpacks and their roller bags could not fit underneath the seat in front of them so they took up space in the overhead for 10 bags. Meanwhile other passengers that didn’t push their way to the front of the line, had to check their items.
My last trip was on UA, where I hold the highest earned status and pre-boarding ahead of group 1. I was casually leaning on a pillar about 20 ft from the jet bridge door in the terminal. I was disrupted by a loud bang when a man approached the pillar and threw his three bags against the pillar. I gave the items a sideways glance because of the bang; there was a full sized garment bag, a rolling suitcase, and a fully stuffed backpack (none of the items were personal sized); all were to big to fit under a seat as well. The 2 agents did not say anything as he boarded.
Most GAs do not want the role of the carryon police, and some do not want to engage with rules as many are quickly overridden by their supervisor or manager – it’s an FAA policy about limiting the # of items.
Karen always says… the rules are for everyone but me as she boards with a huge beach bag, a roller bag, and a big purse. When told she must check an item… she stuffs the huge purse into an already full beach bag and gives the GA a full on smirk. As soon as she is out of view from the GA, she removes her purse and continues to board with all three bags exposed.
Other passengers observe all these behavior and rule breakers… and think… I’m going to do this as well – chaos ensues.
Don’t get me started with books on pool/beach chaises and not showing up until 12n.
I travel with a roller bag, and a small lounge-fly purse; it’s so small, it can fit under the footrest in the Polaris cabin. I’m not writing this for a pat on the back… it’s just any thing larger or heavier actually triggers back spasms, and affects my capacity for breathing.
People like you are selfish and self-centered. Big deal. It makes me angry that I play by the rules while jerks like you get away with this stuff for free
The agent’s priority is to ensure an on-time departure. Should you ignore their instructions only to find there is no appropriate place to stow your bag do not assume they will take a departure in order to check it. you may find that your bag will not travel with you. No one to blame for that but yourself.
A large percentage of people complain about recent changes and/or growing airline direction to “check your bag” before boarding. Then they complain about “empty” luggage bins above.
I was fortunate enough to travel business class and each time I was shocked how often people were lugging on a large suitcase, a carry on item, a large purse – – – sometimes adding up to 4 or 5 items. The airlines were sick of it but “everyone’ wanted the convenience of having all possessions near them. On several occasions several just “threw” their bags above in business.
Several times I was asked to ship mine through . . . no problem, that is life. Please, just ponder a reality. Many complain no matter but the reality is, more are now flying and the airlines has had to
set a limit with ALL of us.
The comments on here are off the rails Nextdoor type.
Straight to the answer – you are a self centered jerk for doing what you did.
And yes you are promoting other people to be a jerk and in the long run killing good vibes for everyone.
Why don’t they pay to gate check the carry on? If you want me to pay for checking a bag, you should pay me for gate checking it for you. It would be only fair and you would be able to get volunteers easily.
M Casey doesn’t want a pat on the back she wants pity
You are entitled and think that you need an explanation for everything you are asked to do. It’s why some workers don’t feel like going above and beyond for passengers. I’ve witnessed fights and was cursed at because of bags when simply doing what I was supposed to do as an airline employee.
Once the Agent tags your bag it is included with the weight/balance numbers for the flight deck. Also the Ramp employees know their count. Taking a bag on that has been tagged can result in false numbers and the Ramp looking for a bag that is missing.
A one minute delay to you may not be much but the airline gets knocked for it. Why don’t ppl just follow the rules when asked? I check everything and walk-on hands free, no worries. Ugh and the ppl with multiple bags holding up the TSA line because they can’t handle all that they have.
I don’t have to fly now, and life is great! I cancelled my FF cards and look forward to the day things settle down. And if they don’t? Good luck to ev er ryone else!
I have an Osprey rolling duffel backpack, that meets the carry-on requirements of 22 x14x9 that most airlines worldwide respect. There are plenty of airlines that charge for that carry-on, on Economy Lite or similar, but I just pay a little more. In addition to my curated clothing, it has a CPAP, meds, insulin, a tablet and keyboard. It is not prepared to be checked. I carry no personal item except maybe a small nylon bag I have with for purchased snack/drink that I picked up by the gate. My phone, NC earbuds and USB cable are in my pocket, so when I’m done with that nylon bag I can just stuff it back into my carry-on.
I do have a tiny, 3oz, fabric daypack that can be folded into itself until it’s not much larger than my fist as an under seat plan B for the CPAP, meds, insulin and tablet. I hope I never run into that situation, but if I calmly explain it and they are insistent, I will set my bag down, probably blocking the gateway while I unload items into that folded up daypack.
Then, I will open up my rolled up, tiny, tightly bound 8oz, 96 liter duffle, which is also inside of my Osprey. I can make that duffel just the size needed to hold my Osprey backpack, with two zip ties. It’s an emergency duffle bag in case I decide to bring back a bunch of souvenirs or clothing. However in this case it would serve to slide my Osprey carry-on backpack into, so as to protect it in the bowels of a jet. Plan C.
If the agent tagged your bag and you found room on board for it, you should take the tag off and let the agent or a flight attendant know that you brought it on board.
The problem is well know. Selfish people that have a carry on and a backpack and a purse and grocery bags. They consume more than one spot of overhead space.
However, it’s not their fault. The airlines allow this to happen so people will do it. Kick up a big enough stink and staff will scurry away.
If you put soft items in the overhead then prepare to have my hard case smashed into it.
Gate checking your items allows the flight crew a better idea of the weight in the aircraft. Since the bags in the overhead and under seats are not counted for the weight and balance of the aircraft, this can possibly put the aircraft in an over weight situation, it is better to gate check larger items. It has been highly suggested by the FAA to limit in cabin luggage.
Easy. Give free checked bags like highly profitable airlines do (Southwest). You already have the personnel to load them anyway.
If you must, charge for carry on bags, which use up lots of aircraft time, GA time and make it much more stressful to fly.
First of all, Americans think only about themselves and are spoiled little brats. Just for that reason, I would drive across country before I flew, even if they GAVE me lifetime fist class. Screw all you got shots who think you’re the only. one on the planet.
Hi @gary. Did you do the wrong thing? Absolutely and unequivocally yes. You were told what to do by the people who “run the show” and instead you decided that, essentially, you know better, and did what you want. How can there be any question?
Whether there were ultimately spaces available or not is completely irrelevant – you disregarded the directions that you were given.
“It wouldn’t have taken much time to get back to the front of the aircraft and drop it off” – that is a shockingly self-centered view. Disrupting the flow of people onboarding so that you can push back to the front with a bag? Creating extra work for the flight attendants which would not have been needed had you simply followed the directions. You think this is ok? Really?
Now, I too am often frustrated by the carryon thing, baggage rules in general, and an ever increasing list of other completely inconvenient and unnecessary (in my opinion) things that happen on when travelling these days, but the directions given at in the moment are what need to be followed. Period. There is plenty of time later to complain formally.
Yep, you are the one we all shake our heads at and wonder why you thought you so special/clever that you didn’t have to listen to the people who are trying their best to board a plane efficiently and are now pissing everybody off.
I know it seems like a small delay of a few minutes to reorganize your bag if it doesn’t fit, but you are missing the bigger picture of all the many moving pieces needed to get an aircraft out on time.
If you board with a bag and cannot find space, you can’t get that bag back to the front of the plane until everybody else has taken their seats. By then the cargo hold is like closed, the belt loader removed and driven away, the final baggage numbers transmitted to load control, and the pilots have calculated their take off performance based on the final numbers. If there are any bags that will not fit in the cabin it’s a big deal to fix after the fact.
The gate agents are keenly aware of this as they may have disciplinary action taken against them if they routinely struggle with on time performance.
So yes, please if they ask you politely to gate check you bag, you are not only helping them but also the other 200 passengers trying to get to their destinations on time.
Absolutely the right move, done it myself.
I really wish you had not given this advice. I travel every two weeks, and have done so for twenty years. My flights are always full, and there is NEVER any overhead space for those individuals in groups four and beyond. I see individuals act against the recomendations of the air staff who bring their bags onto the plane. This causes delays when these bags then have to return to the front and be checked. That was really stupid advice, but now some morons are going to read your article, like me, and ignore the experts. thanks for the additional pains I will endure. But you did get it published so good for you……putz.
Can you imagine if everyone did this?
The other issue is that if checked bags were free, more people would be inclined to check them prior to boarding. This would greatly decrease the burden on TSA screening, which is basically a tax on everybody. We always travel with a carry-on above and backpack under the seat. To assure that we can, we either pay for comfort plus or priority boarding, that’s our fee for a carry-on. It would be much simpler to just charge for carry-on, and make checked bags free and would significantly speed boarding and TSA screening.
My problem with this is the reason it is “carry-on” is so you can carry it on. Some people carry certain irreplaceable items in that carry on. It could be medical equipment, it could be mementos, it could be expensive jewelry or other very costly items that one does not want out of one’s hands where it may get lost or stolen.
If the plane cannot handle carry-on items, then there should be no carry-on or paid-for carry-on that cannot be bought if space is filled.
It’s not only wrong, not dollowing the instructions of a flight attendant is a felony by federal law.
The right way to go here would have been to gate check the luggage and them complain to the airline afterwards if there was still room
I always check my bag I don’t want to be bothered with it until I declare why would I want to lug around a bag with me through the airport at any connections just one more thing to worry with
Unless you have your gold bullions and life saving medical device in there; there’s not enough ok reason to ignore as asked as you could potentially put your and everyone’s safety and sanity in jeopardy.
I wish overhead bins didn’t exist. It always takes a long time after landing for everyone to find their bag(s) and get off the plane. If it can’t fit under the seat in front of you, just check it.
Yes you are wrong. The gate agents are required to count the number of bags that are possible being placed in the over head bin and when that count is reached all other bags are supposed to be checked to go with the already checked baggage. Once they gate checked your bag ramp agents are expecting you to follow directions it’s all to do with weights and balance of the aircraft.
Of course you did nothing wrong. You were merely looking after the most important person in the universe. Everyone knows that the airlines impose these policies only to inconvenience passengers and make flying more dangerous, so you were the true hero of your story.
I just wanted to add a bit to my comment. I carry all my meds (20 per day), whatever jewelry I want to take, 2 tablets and a sweatshirt. I put everything in a small tote bag. Not a roller bag. Easily fits in an overhead
Checked bags must all be scanned prior to putting them in the belly of the aircraft. Every bag with a tag must be accounted for…. Wether you check it at the counter, or at the gate. Doing what you did is not only a safety issue, but an FAA violation with steep consequences. You are lucky you didn’t get caught, get fined or cause a delay.
Shame on you!
The proper thing to do would be to take your bag down and ask the Flight Attendant if there is space. If space is available, they can remove the checked bag tag and give it to the agent. The agent will scan the tag and remove the bag from “inventory” and then when bags are synced before door closure everything matches us.
Yes. You are an a**hole.
I am a ramp agent.
When you take on a checked bag you cause the count to be off and a ramp agent is wasting time looking for a checked bag that isn’t there. Maybe causing a delay.
Even a one minute delay must be explained and someone must be blamed.
Also, depending on the delay, you can cause your fellow passengers to miss tight connections.
I’m sure you’re a little entitled, so none of this will make a difference to you, but yes, you’re an a**hole for doing that. Hope you see the light and change your behavior. Maybe you just don’t understand the repercussions.
This probably happened because the gate gent knows that the A320 doesn’t have those bigger bins.
In smaller regional aircraft, the roller bags will not fit in the overhead bin. So many selfish morons will insist that it ” fit in the last plane”. That last plane might have been larger. Just do what the gate agent says and your issues will be at a minimum. Flying these days is difficult enough as it is. Being a Karen or Chad only increases aggravation for everyone.
Silly me, I figure that I’m just a passenger and that the crew doesn’t need me second guessing their decisions about how best to load out a massive machine that’s about to be in the air and which, once there, will need to be on the correct side of balanced to keep the dozens of human beings on it safe.
Please realize that due to the number of people already down the jetway waiting to board, there is a lag from when the gate agent announces “no more carry-ons” until the first person without bags reaches halfway down the aisle in search of bin space. At some airlines, flight attendants communicate with the agent via e-chat on their company mobile device to advise when there is only space for a certain number (eg: 20) bags left. It’s an inexact science, but in terms of achieving an on time departure, it’s way better to make this call too early than too late. I hope you don’t write a column in a few weeks complaining about not getting the door closed on time.
A United power hungry gate agent did the same thing to me when I traveled to South America with them . My bag fit the size restrictions and there was plenty of overhead bin space. I just brought it on and , sadly, a person who listened to this witch lost his bag when he had to change planes in Houston. Ruined his trip.. If your fare allows you to bring a carry on and your bag fits all restrictions – you bring it on and to hell with these cretins. Do they care if your luggage is damaged or lost?
I pack electronics with lithium batteries in my carry-on in because of the potential fire hazard. The airlines warn not to check baggage containing batteries. There was a fire in someone’s bag last week in an overhead bin. Ten people went to the hospital after the flight landed at an airport to which it had diverted. It took 20 minutes to put out the fire. Would the flight have survived if that luggage had been checked?
The same thing happened to me during the Holidays… As I boarded with my rather large rolling computer bag, the FA told me, ” I don’t think we have overhead bin space for that; you need to check it.” I replied, “Hey, I’d check it but it’s full of my meds.” And it WAS full of meds, and supplements that I take daily. She knew that neither the airlines, nor the airport baggage crews should EVER touch someone’s meds, and that they advise passengers to carry them on.
Knowing that, she said, “OK, but you might not be near your bag if you need it.” In fact, it was some15 seat spaces ahead of me, and on the other side of the cabin. Not a problem, as I could see it if it were handled by anyone else;
Yes, you were wrong to take it on board the aircraft. It is technically a baggage security breach. The tag issued to you was entered into your reservation record and is listed as a bag that goes into the bin of the aircraft per TSA regulations.
Win the lottery and charter a private jet, problems solved!
I recently flew delta forced to gate check into final destination Atlanta. Went to Atlanta baggage claim. Followed electronic signs saying my flight was on south baggage claim 1. Went to south baggage claim 1 – no bag. Met two others from my flight both forced to check. My son went to Rome looking for our bags on other carousels. Finally, thank goodness, found them on carousel south 3, even though the monitor still stated carousel south 1. I have the impression a gated bag can randomly show up on any carousel in Atlanta – the are 20. Maybe not show up at all. This experience is why people absolutely do not want to check their bags. In fact, Rick Steves requires his tour customers NOT to check their bags on his tours for this very reason. Get your act together delta.
Once a bag is tagged, it is entered into the computer and is counted in the weight and balance of an aircraft. By doing this, the plane has extra weight in 1 section and less in another. Multiple passengers doing this could cause a large enough discrepancy that the aircraft could become unstable. This is careless and dangerous. My bag is not worth my life.
Maybe just let people check bags for free like they used to. I know when gas got real high in 2008 years they all started charging for checked bags. Gas went back down and of course they kept charging. Even when gas was like half of what it was in 2008 the airlines kept charging for checked bags.
Such a situation may:
– add to the lost baggage percentage
– distort out of balance weight measures
– delay the departure when there is “No Room Left at the Inn”
– lead to discord of those who followed the rules
– set up a bad habit causing the airline to impose punitive procedures and all PAX suffer
You got away with it this time, but don’t cry foul when you bag is tossed on the tarmac from the top of the jetway because you delayed a flight and you become the topic of someone else’s blog with the label of “Bag Hogging Idiot Delay Departure”.
With United, and I don’t know how it works with other carriers, the flight attendants on board communicate with the gate agents via mobile chat if overhead space is full, and if it is then the gate agents are simply doing their job when they now have to check your rollerbag. Also keep in mind that half the time management is observing gate agents, making sure they’re doing their job property, so gate agents are under a lot of pressure!
I worked a 40 year career in Industrial refrigeration at various levels, from operator/maintainer to factory service and training as well as a technician in a product development laboratory for a major manufacturer. I flew nationally quite a bit for my job and realized early-on that while I was quite confident in MY arena, the air crews knew THIER jobs equally well, if not better. I gave them what I considered was due respect… and did as I was told.
The writer is a seasoned traveller, claims expertise in airplane travel, and posts this as a what? Troll piece? I’ve been on a plane where the bags are piling up in the aisle, where I moved them into my exit tow space to allow people to pass and then the flight crew could remove those bags to the front door to be stowed in the hold.
So he’s another entitled passenger
Often times entitled donkeys can improve their individual situation by ignoring the rules that benefit the group at large. After a while others do the same and bigger problems result such as departing and arriving late which leads to missed connections.
It is dangerous to randomly gate check bags. I see this all the time where airlines sacrifice safety for time. Most of us have computers and spare batteries in our bags. These should NEVER be placed in an aircraft’s hold because there is a chance of batteries shorting and causing a fire where it cannot be extinguished. Quite a few airplanes have crashed due to battery fires and it’s just a matter of time until this happens to a gate checked bag. After that, there will be a change to the rules and everyone will be required to remove electronic devices from gate checked bags.
For people saying the bag count is off, you’re mistaken. Gate checked bags get a green tag at the gate by a United gate agent and are scanned plane-side by a ramp person. If you don’t leave your bag it doesn’t get scanned and never goes into any system to be counted.
Hey Gary, thanks for the heads up. Reporting you to United and the FAA. Now let’s see how special you are.
Sometimes flight attendants will notice the tagged luggage being brought into the cabin and will send it to the hold. I’ve seen this happen.
If you don’t want the bag to be checked, you should simply say so. Actually IMO the gate attendant should offer you a choice. They count the bags that they tag, and that could delay the flight if the final count doesn’t match.
Before agreeing to check your bag, be sure it doesn’t contain any critical medicines or anything else that would create a serous problem if the bag were delayed or lost.
Actually I welcome the opportunity to check a bag for free when I have connecting flights, so I don’t have to lug it around through several airports. It’s nice to have my hands free. I make sure I pack my medicines and anything I might need for an overnight flight in a smaller bag that I do not check.
No passengers are *****holes as a “gate agent” mentioned. I am old enough to remember that airlines started this mess trying to get more revenue from checked luggage (and they do get a lot of money out of it) There were not so many carry-on before. So just realize this is a problem that airlines have created. Don’t blame the passenger all the time. It is too easy
I have been a flight attendant and a gate agent. I would not do either of those jobs today. Passengers have become horrible. But the airlines have created situations that has made traveling hell for everyone and people act out. I wouldnt want to check my bag either. That said, if you’re told to check your bag at the gate, who the hell do you think you sre to disregard the agent’s instructions?
Take it from an Airline Employee, nothing is more aggravating to us on our end than passengers who have their bags tagged and end up taking them on board or they try to and it hogs all the time up. A lot of things go on in the backend a lot of passengers don’t see. We don’t do it because we desperately need your bags, we do it because we have to do your flight can go out on time with no issues and we don’t want to get reprimanded.
Yes, ignoring rules for your own convenience is usually a jerk move that has the potential to impact folks in negative ways you have no way of knowing or predicting. But not your problem, so keep on adding to the increasing numbers of selfish, clueless folks floating around chipping away at the collective good. You are clearly special snd deserve to ignore what applies to everyone else.
Maybe the airlines should stop letting folk come on with a couple of roller cases each and then those later would have space for theirs! This happened on a flight for us and they firstly lost my husbands bag, then returned it two weeks later shredded!! And ruined and wouldn’t pay out as it wasn’t their fault
Federal crime to disobey the flight crew directions, so consider yourself lucky. Also please realize there are reasons behind the crews directions. Whether it’s balance of load or true room in overhead.
Also if you have a true reason for needing bag such as medicine or want tablet you might be able to carry on the tablet or meds. Just store in seat back. And if checked at gate I’ve alwaysed picked up at gate as I’ve got off the plane.
Now there are some people that have extensive medical and need that bag room to have close for a reason.
So please don’t falsify an excuse so maybe someone like a loved one is not able to keep important meds or medical equipment with them. Please put yourself in their place as one day this could be a loved one or yourself in the future.
We always take a smaller bag that will fit under the seat or on top of other luggage in the overhead if necessary. A gate agent on a previous trip told my wife to check her small bag, not even a 20” bag, but when we reached our seats there was plenty of room. Then another passenger boarded with one extra-large bag and a one large computer bag. I went to the gate agent and asked if I could take my wife’s bag aboard and he said okay. All too often, though, I’ve seen bags that could not possibly meet standards so the inconsistency and application of rules is what might be a concern…
Why not follow thevbaggag rules and stop thinking you are entitled.?Airlines have specific reasons and it is all about safety for everyone . Going all ballistic is not going to help one bit and u can bet the flight attendants and ramp agents are going to remember your behavior if you are acting like a petulant child.
Sounds like you should just tell them you have lithium batteries in your carry-on. It is not legal for lithium batteries to be in checked baggage. This includes baggage checked at the gate.
Last time my 16 year old son flew from Baltimore to Chicago. he was asked to give his carry on suitcase to a staff to be checked. He forgot to take his 300 $ out of the bag. After he got his bag back, the money was gone!
Maybe you’re the d!ck, maybe the airline employee. Let’s just agree that moron flyers have ruined flying for most of us. The pilots will turn a plane around for a minor disturbance (just let the men aboard ‘deal’ with the trouble maker, I for one would be happy to beat down a guy that is screaming obscenities at other passengers or flight attendants), some flight attendants are power hungry and fed up with said passengers and act accordingly.
Ugh, flying is just a pain anymore. Just everyone be calm and courteous and it would all be so much nicer.
I feel that the airlines should ban all carry on luggage. Just allow a small bag for phones, laptops, or any other battery containing device. Why do people bring carry on bags, to save money? They’ve already spent a bundle of cash on the airfare. When arriving at the destination it is always infuriating waiting as passengers to get up and then have to get there bags out of the overhead bins, possibly delaying others from getting to their connecting flights. The airlines should announce that all passengers without carry on luggage should be allowed to leave the aircraft first, then the carry on passengers leave last.
I understand the impulse but this really is the definition of someone who thinks the rules don’t apply to him. While I think the airlines could improve their decision making, I don’t think it helps for passengers to take things into their own hands.
Clearly everything is all about you. The heck with anybody else, your convenience is all that matters in your world. Rules simply don’t apply to you. How can you possibly be wrong when it’s always someone else’s fault?
Don’t be a jerk. Just do what you are told. Youre not that special. The rest of us just want to get where we’re going…we don’t care what you can get away with.
I hate carry on. 1. The time it takes everyone to get their carryon out of the bins to get off the plane. 2. Been hit by a large heavy bag beaming taken down. Small are fine. 3. Entitled people make me sick.
I agree f the gate agents. My father and we’re the last ones on a Tam flight. Literally 2/3 of the bins were empty yet they made us gate check our bags. And then they didn’t even put them on our flight. But oh wait it gets better they also didn’t put them on the remaining flights for that day. It took almost a week (5 days) for us to get ours bags back. We had medicine and food in those bags as well. Even with us informing them of that when we landed they still delayed our bags several days. And let me just reiterate that we were the last ones getting on the flight because we were flying standby and riding to board the flight. So no f the gate agents and whoever says oh yea um sir you have to check that. Nah no thx clearly they don’t have a count or whatever half these clowns are talking about♂️.
You were OK until the point you didn’t tell the cabin crew to pull your bag from the system. Worst case scenario, you could have caused a security problem that COULD have resulted in everyone being pulled from the flight to reconcile the real vs. virtual bag count.
I was flying standby OMA-ORD-BOS on 20 April, so last to board in Omaha. Gate staff were a bit of a pain, wouldn’t gate check my bag when told overhead space was full. They tagged my bag to ORD, but Purser saved the day when I told him what happened. He knew there was no way I could exit security in ORD and get back through security in time for the BOS flight. He directed me to a space for my bag, pulled the tag, and had the GA pull it out of the system. As I was deplaning at ORD he made a point to mention that the gate crew handled it incorrectly.
Flew WestJet last week, very old 737, full flight. They just asked people to volunteer to check their bags. Problem solved. Or maybe Canadians are just polite like that. Seems like it would make a lot more sense and less work if airlines stopped charging or charged way less for checked bags. They end up checking so much for free to alleviate space in the overheads, they could charge $10 and have way more checked luggage to begin with.
Seems like the flight went through just fine. Lots of compliance-happy boot lickers in this comments section, but pretty safe to say that it’s better to ask permission than forgiveness, especially when dealing with people who’s authority is derived from regulations.
Dang people are crazy. Props to Gary for taking the undeserved heat on this one.
Years ego, I took a regional flight and was also ask to check in my carry on bag and I did, when I got home I found I had electronics missing from my bag.. including a camera that I used for my job..
Have you guys really read this post? Gary didn’t checked his luggage. The FA tagged his luggage at the gate. For those luggages, FA will count and record them.
Please read before you comment.
My carry-on was taken at the American gate recently due to full flight. It was a 4-wheel spinner. When I picked it up from the luggage carousel it was now a 3-wheeled pull. Paid $24 to have bag shipped to authorized luggage repair., then offered $0 replacement of varying makes, styles and sizes. Waiting on replacement. Would have preferred they treat passenger property more carefully and respectfully. I can see both sides, with potential flight delay being least desirable for all.
Gary: a flight attendant perspective (regional AA)
You took a chance knowing the aircraft was ‘flying light’ and won. Because you are a seasoned traveler, you were able to rightly gauge the bin load ahead of boarding.
Not so good on a regional or mainline with less-than-seasoned leisure travelers. Too many a knucklehead ignores staff and does what you did no knowing the aircraft and the bin size aboard.
I can see where gate agents having to work multiple gates with dissimilar aircraft would tag everything for gate check. AA regional has ‘valet tag’ service where pax get their bags back upon arrival right in the jetbridge, and as an FA Inwould love to see this on all narrow-bodied flights – it spares cabin bin space with only a five-minute wait, maybe longer on mainlines.
The FA working your flight either didn’t see the gate check tag or didn’t interact with you during boarding.
Perhaps you had an executive-level tag in your bag that meant it would be treated differently by the cabin crew(I do when I do my boarding scan). Premium pax do get treated differently – it’s a privilege earned.
So: in context . . . a seasoned flyer butthole for ignoring a gate check tag? Not in humble opinion. But not a great example for the rest of the ignoramuses.
Wow Gary. You did ask. I don’t know anything about planes and balancing weight. In fact, I am afraid to fly. Therefore, I avoid it whenever possible.
Here’s the thing Gar’, I’m afraid to fly because of the problems that result from being in an environment which tends to magnify the entitled. My baggage, which was checked, was lost on my first and only flight outside the continental US. I got it back the morning of my last day of my trip. Mistakes and bad decisions happen on both sides. I believe it is better to aspire to be a superior human being than an entitled one.
Just like If you ignore the police you are in big trouble.
The problem is the airline. If you pay for a fare that is allowed to carry-on then you should be able to carry-on. Maybe only offer it to the first x# of tickets sold. Maybe don’t oversell the flights. Maybe make checked bags free again. Maybe don’t take forever getting the luggage to the carousel. Maybe lose less luggage. That’s why people catty-on.
Fun fact from a flight attendant: we can get personally fined by the FAA if there are tagged gate check bags on board/didn’t get gate checked.
These employees have been though SO MUCH training, please just follow their instruction. 99% of the time, the things they’re telling you to do are for your safety.
I would have done this exact thing today flying from DCA-DFW. (I was late to board because of a delayed first flight.) Alas a second GA was waiting in ambush at the bottom of the jet bridge. So a checked bag it was.
And yes there were several open bin spots.
NB: I do so enjoy taking the terminal-link bus to get to my parked car. It is just so fast and pleasant. #sarcasm
I see the comments on this and I am amused. Passengers commonly ignore flight attendants’ instructions. Allow others to pass: Many times have I stopped behind a passenger trying to make up his or her mind on how to deal with the luggage. The worst offenders are those who didn’t plan right and now have to get things out or put things in their bags while blocking the aisle. Throw them off the airplane? Please give attention to the safety demonstration: Ha, throwing passengers off for not following that one would get rid of three out of every four passengers. The reason that the overhead bins sometimes fill is because of a combination of reasons: oversized bags that have to fit sideways, too many bags and the biggest one being that many people don’t try to get their bags to fit as compactly as possible without damaging something (such as turning roller bags so that their side handle is up if possible). That last reason seems to often be passive-aggressive. The oversized bags that have to fit sideways should always be cabin checked if the gate agents don’t check them. People with them would buy proper sized luggage after that.
Saddened by your did I do something wrong question, you were in the wrong, Aircraft staff ask to check peoples bags for a reason and if everyone adopted your selfish attitude,, the plane would not get off the ground and everyone delayed.
You were lucky, disobeying what was a fair rule put in place so exceptions could be made for people with supplies they needed for the trip.
I am sure you could have spoken to the aircraft staff and they would have given you an update on room in the overheads.
Most of us if we dont follow rules if it works out cnd there are no consequences consider ouraelves lucky, and
Dont need to ask if its wrong.
Airlines only insure luggage up to a certain dollar amount and specifically INSTRUCT you carry on expensive items.. and then MAKE you check a bag at the gate? I won’t ever do it unless there literally isn’t a single space left and I ALWAYS reference this policy to the gate agent. “Your policy states if you are carrying x dollar amount of items to CARRY ON” and I ask, “so can you ensure that my items will be insured if I check this bag?”
Why do passengers seem to think they can do what they want on airplanes?
Like you – taking your bag on board when asked to check it. If you would be considerate & ask the crew if there was a possible space- different story, but you,…??? Are you a working cabin crew, why are you special? Bags are checked at a certain point because people won’t put their small item under the seat on front of them. They put coats & small items in bins, & of course their luggage in the wrong way. Then the bins are suddenly filled. If everyone is allowed to try & “get” their bag on, then a delay is taken to remove bags, tag them, have ramp possibly re- arrange (weights & balance), then the take off spot is missed & possible connections are not made.
There is a system to the airlines business, from operations, to flying the plane, to customer service seating, & flight attendant jobs. If you work, perhaps you have rules or a system, or maybe you are entitled & do what you want- when you want, then call foul.
Let me come to your job & disregard your instructions. Let me go into your office, or work cubby & take what I want or runmage thru your stuff, including eating or taking your food you have sitting out (=pax in galley).
Let me open door or go thru your business into another area, or use your bathroom (=curtain pulled shut into 1st class- this signifies a do NOT go thru )
Let me sit in your business meeting with my headphones on or watching a movie, or talk on the phone & blatantly
ignore you when you are standing 3′ from me & i am trying to relay important information not only to you, but others who have no clue (= safety demo)
Let me be at your work & have you repeat the same thing over 4 times, because I’m to lazy & stupid to take off my headphones (drink/snack service).
Let me have you stand & hold a heavy tray reaching out to me & bending over for several minutes, because I’m to stupid to get my tray table out & know & see the 3 other rows in front of me (1st class) are getting their meals.
Let me ask you for something (which will take 30 seconds max) & I’ll return to ignoring you by going back to my movie with my headphones on & you standing there trying to get my attention to hand me something, (=drink service), then of course you must wait a few more minutes because I have to move my laptop or paperwork so I have a space to put what you are giving me.
Get the point? If you are a first time flyer, I get it. Unfortunately most of these scenarios are by somewhat – to regular flyers.
And just because you have status doesn’t give you free range of the plane to go into 1st class or get everything free.
Galleys are crews offices- we don’t need youto come in & do your yoga stretches bending over in our faces. Walk up/down the aisle to stretch, take your garage to the galley, or walk to galley for drink instead of ringing call button= this will get some blood flow to your legs.
Manners, please & thank you go a long way, use them.
Flight attendants are there to save your a$$ , not kiss it.
Yes, you are WRONG for that. Just because your bag will fit, there’s plenty of overhead bin space or it’s just an inconvenience doesn’t mean you can disregard or disrespect what you have been told to do. There are so many reasons why you may be asked to check your bag, ie weight and balance, weight restrictions, safety. We aren’t asking for s*#+s and giggles. For instance, I’m a flight attendant for a reginal carrier and some planes aren’t certified by the FAA to carry your ‘carry on luggage’ inside the cabin, only personal items are allowed. Flight Attendants can be personally fined for this. So, please keep in mind when you are flying, that we (flight attendants and gate agents) don’t make the rules but it is our job to enforce them. So, please don’t be wrong and strong because you think you know what’s best and just do as your asked. It will make for a better flight experience for all involved. Most people travel with one carry on and one personal item, I suggest keeping your electronics and medications in your personal item just in case you have to check your bag. One last thing, if you don’t like the rules don’t fly. And, by all means DON’T take it out on gate agents and flight attendants. Take it up with the airline or the FAA.
Quote: “So did I make the right tactical call, just walking on board and using the overhead bin space at my seat?” End quote.
You didn’t use the overhead bin space at your seat… To quote you, when you stated: “I simply walked onto the plane and found one of the dozen or so empty overhead bin spaces – in this case one that was direct across from my seat 12C.”
Fellow passengers annoy me FAR MORE OFTEN than gate agents or FA’s.
If they tell you to ticket
your bag then ticket the bah come on people.
As a Gate Agent for Ynited I would like to explain a few things.
First when I am boarding a flight I am in contact with the flight attendants. I ask them to advise me when the bins are aprox. 70% full so that I am able to judge how many more I will be able to let go down the jet bridge as a true carry on bag,
At some point in a full flight depending on the aircraft the bins will be full.
Second, in my preloading process I announce the likelihood that we will run out of space, and happily will gate check the bags, at no charge to their final destination.
Many times I might get one or two takers,., so it should be of no surprise when I have to start checking bags.
Third is I truly do not want to inconvenience a passenger by having to gate check your bag, however I am only going by what I am told by the FA’s.
I am working on a time limit having to have everyone on onboard 10 minutes before departure.
Having
to stop with every passenger and print a bag tag, ask the FAA required safety questions only puts me behind in my time management.
Most passengers understand and are willing g to work for the greater good, however the passengers that think they are more important and rip their tags off after I put one on, only hurts everyone because of the delay it causes when I have to print another tag.
I will close by saying your gate agent is under pressure for time and FAA regulations, if you are asked to gate check your bag, please do so willingly. This is only going to get worse during g the summer months when there are weight restrictions f y i
Give your gate agent a break, it’s our job to keep you safe.
The reason that overhead bins fill up is because the airlines charge extra to check a bag, so more passengers bring a rollaboard instead. The other reason is because the personal item bag (usually an oversized backpack) is too big to fit comfortably under the seat, so the passenger has two items in the overhead bin. The airline’s desire for extra profits is the root cause of full overhead bins. They can resolve it anytime they want by slightly increasing prices to avoid jerking their customers around.
Yes it’s the SELF IMPORTANT TWITS
like YOU that cause everyone else problems
GET OVER YOURSELF YOUR NOT ALL THAT
it’s self important twits like you
that give the rest of us troubles
get over yourself
Yes. You are a narcissist.
So next time a flight is delayed because the ramp crew is out looking for a checked bags that didn’t make under the plane, and the flight deck has to reprogram all of their weights and balance info and wait for new clearances which contributed to taxi traffic and half your plane misses their connection, are you going to explain that it’s because you are too important to follow simple instructions, of r are you going to put that on the flight crew?
Ps- it’s absolutely an FAA violation for the flight crew to allow you to have a checked bag on the plane. Why would you tell people to break the law?
I’m reading all these comments about how wrong he was, how deceptive and selfish it is to expect what the airline policy is regarding baggage. You are allowed one carry on and one personal item. While I do agree that if he allowed the bag to be tagged for gate check then he should have gate checked it. But some of you are being pretty ridiculous about your rants about weight and balance, flight delays, and FAA rules. If the airlines allow each passenger one carry on and one personal item and actually enforced it while boarding it shouldn’t be an issue especially after only 10 or 12 people have boarded the plane! I fly pretty frequently and it seems that the airlines have no regard for providing good customer service. Flights are delayed, cancelled, deliberately over booked and squeeze everyone into tiny uncomfortable seats because they provide a necessary service that people are forced to use. They know people are going to continue to fly regardless of the quality or lack thereof. I’m currently going to be assigned a seat at the gate for a flight I purchased 4 months ago and checked in 24 hours before my flight (the soonest possible check in allowed). I usually pay for a seat and typically have a variety of options but this flight is full and upon check-in found that I’m 4th on the standby list. The airline will be unsympathetic and have no regard for any inconvenience to me and as a token of their appreciation for my business may leave me sitting and waiting for hours for another flight. So yes, I think airlines have some responsibility in following their own policy allowing each passenger to carry on one approved size carry on and one approved size personal item! I follow their rules and pay them respect while they are going over their instructions, keep my seatbelt fastened while seated and my bags are approved size. I can’t help but roll my eyes when after 5 or 6 passengers have boarded they are already saying the overhead bins are full. BS.
Yes, you were wrong. If everyone did what you did it only raises the confusion. What you consider plenty of time is false. There is much more happening. The rampers have to account for every bag including the one you decided to put in the overhead. This can delay flights. You need to learn to follow directions. You don’t know everything and come across as arrogant.
This does cause unseen issue because the ramp crew are frantically searching for that bag in different locations to achieve 100% bag tags driven to bag tags scanned. THIS CAN CAUSE A DELAY FROM THE RAMP!!!!
But they tell you carry on expensive items because they will not insure over a certain dollar amount. Then when you get to the plane with your expensive items that they won’t insure, they tell you that you can’t carry them on. What do they expect you to do? Pick one order to follow or ignore both? You simply cannot follow both orders.
Kills me when people (customers) think they know more than us airport workers! 90 percent of the times it has to do with the weight of the plane! People seem to think they are the only ones who have close connections or w.e the case. If u don’t like rules u have to follow guess what don’t fly!!!!!!
I’m so sick and tired of everyone dragging their damn bags on the plane. It slows everything up and is super annoying. The airlines have brought this on themselves by charging fees for checking bags, but come on.
I’m surprised you even had to ask that question. The airlines have specific rules for very specific reasons. Think of it this way. You are a guest of the airline. It is their house, Respect their requests.
Yes, you are incompetent and completely wrong. I wish they would of kicked you off the plane or rescheduled you to a later flight. Its selfish and self-absored passengers like you that makes it hard for the airline workers. HERES A PIECE OF ADVICE FOR YOU,
LISTEN TO AIRLINE WORKERS. Also If you think you and your dumb bag is so important, you need to drive or buy your own plane. If your too lazy or broke to do either, liszen to the people who are hired
Writer wasn’t trying to force a bag onboard when there was no space.
The issue is the GA is too lazy to call and ask if OH is full.
As for the FA about allowing checked bags onboard. You’re correct about checked bags from checkin. Bags that passenger brings onboard have been cleared to be onboard. Bags dropped at checkin are only cleared for cargo hold. They’re different things.
Now the tag (white bag tags with name/final destination) needs be deleted from the system. However FA just needs give the tag to GA or ramp agent in charge. They need to delete since a bag in cargo counts different than in cabin for weight and balance.
Valet bag tags (generally only used on regional jets and for strollers – they don’t have name/information on them) aren’t in system till bag is loaded. There’s no need to do anything with these if board instead.
Fact is, there is no perfect way to monitor overhead space. It’s almost never due to “lazy gate agents.” We simply don’t have time at the end of boarding to go up and down the bins and look for space, or grab gate-tagged bags out of the jetbridge, or worse, the cargo hold, and deliver them to passengers in their seats. And the worst thing is when we have to check even 1 bag because we’re out of space, at the very end of boarding. Have to run back to counter, print bag tag, bring it to the plane, radio the ramp to pick up the bag, and sometimes they have to re-open the cargo bin. Always causes a delay! I should know, I’ve been a gate agent for years. I would love to have every single space in the bins filled perfectly, truly, I would. HOWEVER, to do so would require me to float in the air on top of the passengers lined up in the aisle waiting to get to their seat, while simultaneously being at the gate as passengers enter the jetbridge. And to say “well, just have a third agent at each flight” won’t work with passengers also demanding $99 fares. Airlines are marginally profitable in good years, just a few dollars per passenger. Just yesterday I pushed things a bit, we had a completely full flight, on a 737 with newer large overhead bins. I let a few slightly large bags go on the plane “I take this bag on the plane every time,” they say. Tried to save a little time by letting 70 bags go on the plane (we usually do 65 bags but then I hear people say “you made me check my bag and I see space for a few bags!!!). Sure enough, flight attendants were struggling to close a few bin with bags just an inch too wide, turned on their sides like they are supposed to be in this type of bin. We had to re-arrange multiple bins and move a few bags to fit them. Airplane door was ready to be closed but can’t do it until bins are closed. Took an extra 3 minutes to cram in the bags, meaning the flight was literally delayed because I was trying to accommodate a few passengers with big bags and get as many bags on as possible. With pax also choosing itineraries with 30 minute connections, those 3 minutes of delay might mean a few passengers lose an entire day of their trip. And we never know how many passengers will put their backpacks and purses in overhead bin instead of under their seat. See the quandary we face?
far too many American customers are insanely demanding and act as if they are entitled to the planet. If they tell you to check your bag, just check your damn bag. It’s not that difficult to do. My carry-on is small. I put my laptop, medication, jewelry, and other important items in there along with one extra outfit just in case. Everything else gets checked. Stop thinking you have the right to dictate the rules everywhere you go. Personally, I wouldn’t think it was bad if they kicked you off the plane the next time you pulled that crap.
Why are YOU above the rules? Why can’t you carry on an appropriate sized bag? You were aware of the size limits prior to boarding, right? Why are you entitled and others are not? I think the airlines should restrict everyones carry on luggage to ONE properly sized bag and a small personal item. I get sick of not finding space in the overhead or having it crushed by other large bags.
Considering what a free-for-all the situation with reclining one’s seat was, I say there is no problem with carrying your bag on and fending for it yourself.
No such thing as courtesy or ethics anymore so you don’t need to ask anyone do what you will.
If you have never had your bag lost by the airlines, I don’t think you can fully understand why some people insist upon a carry on (when there is space, of course, as there was).
I simply do not understand people’s over attachment to their luggage. Why in the world would anyone want to lug a bag down those long airport corridors ?.& hoist bags into over head bins. I understand if a person cannot pay $30 for checking a bag but it is beyond me why anyone has to have their luggage with them on a plane instead of down below.
My question would be how much are they charging you for your mandatory compliance? Most people pack carryons to avoid all of the ridiculous add on fees associated with flying these days. If checking said luggage was free and you had nothing of real value other then clothing, fine. But often I carry my meds, jewelry etc. I’m not checking that.
You are a true jerk. No you did not do.the right thing. Follow the instructions of the crew or don’t fly.
You are what is truly wrong with society
I think you’re fine. You have a good gauge for when to break this rule, the way I do.
This past week a Delta gate agent was in a bad mood and told me I had too many items (I had backpack, carry-on and a plastic bag with a hat) and had to gate check. I told her I can fit the plastic bag in my backpack but she argued that my carry-on was too big anyways. She then stuck a tag on my bag… mind you I was Boarding Group 2 and I there was still space… and I knew my bag would fit (it has fit for five years!). I let the bag handler know this and then I ripped the tag off, brought the bag in and put it in one of the many spaces available.
Look, you were forced…and I repeat forced, to check your carry on, and that’s already wrong from the airlines. I carry almost $20000 with in lenses and camera gear, I usually tell the agent to supply me with a company letter head guaranteeing they will cover ALL costs associated with damage, including lost productivity time, and that usually ends that argument.
Employees, having been in the industry myself for over 20years, forcing people to do this is in direct contradiction to company policy and increases liability. Maybe review.your charges and the.overhead bin issue may not be an issue…. It only started to be a problem when you started charging. Also….I guarantee you that every NA airline is far over the tested weight capacity of the overhead bins so you’re already violating the certification of the aircraft by forcing people to bring more on board
The only world where you did the right thing is if you were flying on your own personal private jet.
It’s as simple as this: there are rules and laws to using public transit. If you don’t want to comply with them, please make other arrangements for your transportation.
I feel like the fact that you are asking means you know it wasn’t something you should ethically do.
My carry-on bags have expensive, much needed medical supplies, typically coming to over $5000. I stay several months at my destination, so bring my supplies of 31 medications, 2 boxes of each of my insulin in a special cold bag (must not be unrefrigerated for more than an hour and my flight is 11 hours), several thousand dollars of equipment including a CPAP, and specialty food for the plane trip because of a highly restricted diet. There’s no way I can gate check my bags. And if they try, I simply NICELY explain that to them and there’s no issue.
So you committed an illegal act and got away with it.
You are an entitled jerk.
It was very important for me to not check my carry-on bag recently because once the plane landed, I had to drive 3 hours to get to an important work assignment. I had purposely only packed a small rolling bag because I knew that I did not have time to wait for a checked bag. Typically I do not care too much about having to check my bag, but this time was different because I was pressed for time. (My job made a mistake and double-booked me, which is a totally different issue). Sure enough, as they got to me at the gate, I was told that they had run out of room on the plane and I had to check my bag. And check my bag so that I had to go down to the carousel and get it. And sure enough — there was plenty of room for my small bag in the overhead bins. The thing is that in this instance, I would have paid to have kept my bag with me or to have it checked at the gate to pick up at the gate when I arrived. And maybe that is the answer. Allow only first class and special customers have free carry-ons ons and everyone else has to pay a fee if they really want to carry on their bag once they have run out of room.