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?
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.