new, smaller carryon bag rule coming?

[Daddee]

fuck me, the airlines are posting record profits, now this...

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/10/carry-on-bags-smaller-flight-guidelines_n_7545096.html

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Millions of fliers might soon want to buy new carry-on suitcases.

 

Global airlines announced Tuesday a new guideline that recommends shrinking carry-on bags, in an effort to free up space in packed overhead bins.

 

 

The guideline, which is not binding, means that many existing bags currently in compliance with airline rules would not be given preferential treatment in the boarding process. While details of how the guideline will be implemented are murky, and could vary from airline to airline, it raises the possibility that many fliers would be forced to check their favorite carry-on bag.

 

Fliers might ultimately need to buy smaller suitcases or pay a fee to check their bags, typically $25 each way.

 

The recommendation by the International Air Transport Association suggests an "optimal" carry-on size at 21.5 inches tall by 13.5 inches wide by 7.5 inches deep. That's smaller than the current maximum size allowed by many airlines. For instance, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines all currently allow bags up to 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches — although gate agents don't always enforce those more-generous measurements.

 

"Once again, the airlines find a way to make their problem the passenger's problem — and an expensive problem at that," said travel industry consultant Henry Harteveldt. The lack of overhead space is due to airlines cramming too many seats on planes and charging passengers to check their suitcases, he said.

 

Airlines around the globe have varying standards — different enough that a carry-on bag that is acceptable to one airline isn't allowed in the cabin of another. The airline trade group says the new guideline will not necessarily replace each airline's rules on bag size, but gives them a uniform measurement that "will help iron out inconsistencies."

 

Charlie Leocha, a consumer advocate and co-founder of Travelers United, said if enough airlines adopt these guidelines it will be great for travelers to at least know what size bag is acceptable on multiple airlines. However, Leocha measured his own carry-on bag Tuesday— one that he has traveled with for more than a decade and never struggled to fit into an overhead bin — to find out that it doesn't comply with the new suggested size.

 

"Are the airlines in cahoots with the baggage manufactures? It just seems crazy," he said.

 

Many bags already marketed as carry-on compliant actually aren't.

 

For instance, for $56.99 Walmart sells the Rockland Luggage Sonic 20" ABS Spinner Carry On. The bag is the right height and width but is one inch too deep for current U.S. airline rules. Macy's sells a Samsonite Silhouette Sphere bag for $460 that is marketed as meeting "carry-on requirements for most major airlines" but the bag is 15 inches wide, one inch too large.

 

Theoretically, if airlines follow this guideline "everyone should have a chance to store their carry-on bags on board aircraft of 120 seats or larger," the trade group said. Today, it's typical for the last 20 or so passengers to board to be forced to check their bags at the gate because the bins are already full.

 

Nine major international airlines will soon introduce the guideline into their operations. Chris Goater, a spokesman for the transport association, said they are: Avianca, Azul, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, China Southern, Emirates, Lufthansa and Qatar.

 

"It's certainly not mandatory," Goater said.

 

No U.S. airlines have yet signed on, but Goater expects more carriers to quickly do so. The suggested size was just unveiled publicly Tuesday at a meeting of global airline CEOs in Miami.

 

The airlines said they are working with several large luggage manufacturers including Samsonite, Delsey and Tumi but none have yet signed on. Bags with new labels, designating them as "Cabin OK," are expected to be in stores by the end of the year.

 

Airline consultant Robert Mann said that if airlines did a better job of handling checked luggage, passengers wouldn't bring so many on the plane and fight for overhead bin space. Those $25 bag fees don't help either.

 

"They literally create a disincentive to play their game," Mann said.

 

In the end, Mann said airlines will do very little — regardless of bag size — to separate frequent business travelers who account for the bulk of their revenue from their suitcases.

[siamjj]

no chance,west jet and someone else up here said no way already.

could you imagine asian airlines trying that shit? well we all have seen their luggage carts.

[biggles]

I fly back and forth to the Philippines a lot and no-one has more cabin baggage than a Filipina. They totally ignore the one carry on bag rule.

[Tarpon]

They want people to pay to check in luggage when flying low cost airlines?

[par47]

Well I would agree with smaller bags or charging for larger ones. I'm astonished by the amount of stuff people carry around and that the airlines let them do it. Last trip the woman is front of me at check-in had six hand luggage bags. I thought it was going to be fun watching them tell her to lose some but they didnt say a word!

 

Personally I carry 1 small shoulder bag, it holds my paperwork and a few a few small electronic items and a book or two. Cant see what else people feel they need to carry?

[david555]

The airline I fly  with (KLM) used before the size 115 cm total , LxLX H , now they need explicit 55 x 35 x 20 cm ( =110 cm ) so now need to buy other one for only 5 cm difference just in the wrong measuring way as I have 110 cm total but not in their way ,  I think they like use to go fly ALL with emirates .......    And same time KLM is fearing future bankruptcy

PS: even cases with a conform code it would become rule , so we all go travel with same cases......., many wrong cases shall be taken / missing

 

[THAJEC]

I have no personal problem with that. I'll take the luggage compartment small sports bag that goes reduced to a very small bag. I have this bag just for a book, camera and documents.
On the contrary, I often do not understand what they can do some passengers stick them in their cabin baggage, what are sometimes bigger than my normal luggage in the hold.

[vimto66]

Annoys me when some people take what is practically a suitcase into the cabin,then they try and cram it into the overhead locker taking space up.On the regular schedule flights i would be all in favour of this ruling!

[napsterlover2375]

If airlines enforced one "22 x "14 x 9" carry-on limit there would be no issue fitting everyone's bags in the overhead compartments.  Most luggage companies that make international carry-on compliant luggage don't even meet the current limit with wheels/handles, forget about the new standard. I don't think I've ever seen one of those luggage size cages used once.  

 

 

[davidge]

Article on this in today's Bangkok Post:

 

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/593109/new-carry-on-baggage-size-introduced

 

Penultimate paragraph not exactly complimentary about U.S. Baggage Handlers :-)

 

Bloke from IATA sounds a total tosser!

[Wolf Cat]

They should just enforce the existing rule, one carry on per passenger.  I've seen people carrying what seems like 5-6 different items, a carry on  a purse, a laptop, a camera bag. a stuffed toy and a bag of snacks. 

[Kandinski]

Excellent idea and wish it will be enforced to speed up boarding/disembarking time.

There is a reason turnarounds are significant longer in US compared to e.g. Korea.

[One hung low]

Air Canada is now checking carryon sizes, kudos to them.

In Asia carryon literally means, ALL you can carry on. It's fucking rediculous the amount and size of the bags people are bringing on these flights

[iggy56]

i hope so,im fairly tired of people who brings on1 back-pack,1 computor and one of these carry on luguage and of course 2 or 3 taxfree bags,

[padfoot]

I wonder what input the luggage companies had in this? The airlines are a greedy bunch of carnivores.