5 ms·

GOOD. They should force everyone to check their bags already. Hell, just remove the overhead bins entirely. Why do they even exist? All they do is make boarding

by Apreche 10y ago

GOOD. They should force everyone to check their bags already. Hell, just remove the overhead bins entirely. Why do they even exist? All they do is make boarding and deplaning take 20 extra minutes each. The time you have to wait for the luggage carousel will be no big deal if you can just get off the plane immediately.

awqrre 10y ago
They temporarily lost my luggage before... I would much rather have it with me. And it is much quicker then going to the carousel, especially if you choose a seat close to the exit.
- falcolas 10y ago
  This exactly. Not to mention they (United) already charge $20 to check a small bag. This nickle and diming sucks.
- jghn 10y ago
  Thing is, half the time I carry on my luggage I end up having to gate check it due to lack of room or other factors. On some airlines I don't mind because you pick it up at the gate but on some, like United, it's as if you checked it in fully. That's the worst of both worlds since I had to deal with the extra security hassle to boot.
knz 10y ago
I assume you have never travelled long haul with small children. It's in everyone's interest for children onboard to have access to entertainment, food, diapers, comfort objects, and clean clothes. That all takes space.
- dagw 10y ago
  It doesn't take that much space. Certainly not more space than that you can fit under the seat in front of you.
  - philjohn 10y ago
    OK, let's do a thought experiment. You have an infant, and are (for unfathomable reasons, probably related to masochism) taking them from London to Sydney - a 21.5 hour flight - including layover. How many nappies do you think the average bundle of joy gets through in an almost 24 hour period? You also need their baby food, a changing matt, baby wipes, nappy rash cream, clothing, books and toys to keep them entertained. Last time I travelled there was hardly room for a small bag under the seat in front, there's no way 24 hours of supplies for a baby would fit easily. Now what if you have twins?
    - edwhitesell 10y ago
      I did a 6 hour flight (which was a 14+ hour day) with my son when he was 8 months. It was pretty easy. Every child is different though. If he was a difficult baby/toddler, there's no way I would have attempted it by myself. The twins question is easy. You're only allowed one infant per person. So, if you have twins you and the other adult both have a bag for food, changing mat, wipes, diapers, etc. If you're already thinking it's too much to spend a few extra bucks to improve the experience for everyone, you probably shouldn't be flying anyway.
      - knz 10y ago
        I'm not sure 6 hours counts as long haul in the context of needing supplies! If you are on a 20+ hour itinerary with multiple layovers and the potential for delays then you will have substantially more carry on items. Throw in needing to bring any medical supplies or bottles/formula for the baby and it's even worse.
        edwhitesell 10y ago
        Sure, I wasn't trying to imply that it did count as a long-haul; just giving my own point of reference/opinion. I agree on all of your points. However, if there are other factors involed (as I stated, if my child was more difficult), I simply wouldn't travel. Maybe that's not a decision you can make, but I have.
ygra 10y ago
Considering how checked baggage is thrown around I'd rather keep photography gear in my cabin baggage and have lenses unbroken, thank you.
- PaulHoule 10y ago
  And you can pay extra for that privilege. Most people would be happy to take a camera phone which could go in a purse or small backpack. I pack a tracfone, a heavy desktop replacement laptop, a power brick, and a USB cable to charge the phone from the computer. I'd pack exactly the clothes I need for a few days. When I am in a big city I will browse vintage clothing shops on Hollywood Boulevard or get socks and underwear at Niketown in Manhattan. I throw away as much packaging as possible to reduce weight. I might even buy a bag at my destination and fill it full of plushies from Japan Town in San Francisco or something like that. Traveling light also makes life easy getting away from the airport, or travelling by bus, train or foot. If you want to take your skis or are going backpacking in the wilderness you need to take a lot of stuff. In an urban environment, though, there are huge benefits to being light.
  - detaro 10y ago
    The parent comment was a reply to a comment proposing to ban all overhead luggage, which specifically would not allow you to pay for it...
PaulHoule 10y ago
I try not to use the overhead compartments and will check a bag if it all possible because I don't want to be a part of the chaos.
dagw 10y ago
The time you wait at the baggage carousel is unrelated to how long it takes to get off the plane. If it takes them 25 minutes to get your bag from the plane to the carousel, then saving 20 minutes getting off the plane will only mean a 20 minute longer wait at the carousel.
- sundaeofshock 10y ago
  But it saves 20 minutes for the person who does not use the overhead bins and dies not check luggage.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
technofiend 10y ago
You say that, but United made my boss take his laptop out of his checked luggage and carry it onto the plane. Considering the phalanx of gear some travel with these days, would it really all fit under the seat? Maybe not.
cr1895 10y ago
In some situations the risk that a bag doesn't make it to your destination is too great to take, and therefore it's necessary to carry on. If checking a bag gave the same assurance that it would make your destination with you as carrying it on person, fine: make checking a back the only option. But in reality your checked bag is less likely to meet you at your destination than if you'd have just carried it along with you.
bogomipz 10y ago
>"Why do they even exist? All they do is make boarding and deplaning take 20 extra minutes each." How is that different then taking another 20 minutes to wait to get your luggage at the carousel? Its still 20 minutes of lost productivity for all passengers.
detaro 10y ago
You won't get your luggage from the carousel any minute earlier (at least I've never arrived at the carousel after my luggage), so the only thing you are doing is shifting your waiting time from a plane seat to a loud hall where you have to stand around. I generally prefer my plane seat + the knowledge where my important stuff is and how it has been handled.

by Apreche 10y ago

awqrre 10y ago

They temporarily lost my luggage before... I would much rather have it with me. And it is much quicker then going to the carousel, especially if you choose a seat close to the exit.

falcolas 10y ago
This exactly. Not to mention they (United) already charge $20 to check a small bag. This nickle and diming sucks.
jghn 10y ago
Thing is, half the time I carry on my luggage I end up having to gate check it due to lack of room or other factors. On some airlines I don't mind because you pick it up at the gate but on some, like United, it's as if you checked it in fully. That's the worst of both worlds since I had to deal with the extra security hassle to boot.

knz 10y ago

I assume you have never travelled long haul with small children. It's in everyone's interest for children onboard to have access to entertainment, food, diapers, comfort objects, and clean clothes. That all takes space.

dagw 10y ago
It doesn't take that much space. Certainly not more space than that you can fit under the seat in front of you.
- philjohn 10y ago
  OK, let's do a thought experiment. You have an infant, and are (for unfathomable reasons, probably related to masochism) taking them from London to Sydney - a 21.5 hour flight - including layover. How many nappies do you think the average bundle of joy gets through in an almost 24 hour period? You also need their baby food, a changing matt, baby wipes, nappy rash cream, clothing, books and toys to keep them entertained. Last time I travelled there was hardly room for a small bag under the seat in front, there's no way 24 hours of supplies for a baby would fit easily. Now what if you have twins?
  - edwhitesell 10y ago
    I did a 6 hour flight (which was a 14+ hour day) with my son when he was 8 months. It was pretty easy. Every child is different though. If he was a difficult baby/toddler, there's no way I would have attempted it by myself. The twins question is easy. You're only allowed one infant per person. So, if you have twins you and the other adult both have a bag for food, changing mat, wipes, diapers, etc. If you're already thinking it's too much to spend a few extra bucks to improve the experience for everyone, you probably shouldn't be flying anyway.
    - knz 10y ago
      I'm not sure 6 hours counts as long haul in the context of needing supplies! If you are on a 20+ hour itinerary with multiple layovers and the potential for delays then you will have substantially more carry on items. Throw in needing to bring any medical supplies or bottles/formula for the baby and it's even worse.
      - edwhitesell 10y ago
        Sure, I wasn't trying to imply that it did count as a long-haul; just giving my own point of reference/opinion. I agree on all of your points. However, if there are other factors involed (as I stated, if my child was more difficult), I simply wouldn't travel. Maybe that's not a decision you can make, but I have.

ygra 10y ago

Considering how checked baggage is thrown around I'd rather keep photography gear in my cabin baggage and have lenses unbroken, thank you.

PaulHoule 10y ago
And you can pay extra for that privilege. Most people would be happy to take a camera phone which could go in a purse or small backpack. I pack a tracfone, a heavy desktop replacement laptop, a power brick, and a USB cable to charge the phone from the computer. I'd pack exactly the clothes I need for a few days. When I am in a big city I will browse vintage clothing shops on Hollywood Boulevard or get socks and underwear at Niketown in Manhattan. I throw away as much packaging as possible to reduce weight. I might even buy a bag at my destination and fill it full of plushies from Japan Town in San Francisco or something like that. Traveling light also makes life easy getting away from the airport, or travelling by bus, train or foot. If you want to take your skis or are going backpacking in the wilderness you need to take a lot of stuff. In an urban environment, though, there are huge benefits to being light.
- detaro 10y ago
  The parent comment was a reply to a comment proposing to ban all overhead luggage, which specifically would not allow you to pay for it...

PaulHoule 10y ago

I try not to use the overhead compartments and will check a bag if it all possible because I don't want to be a part of the chaos.

dagw 10y ago

The time you wait at the baggage carousel is unrelated to how long it takes to get off the plane. If it takes them 25 minutes to get your bag from the plane to the carousel, then saving 20 minutes getting off the plane will only mean a 20 minute longer wait at the carousel.

sundaeofshock 10y ago
But it saves 20 minutes for the person who does not use the overhead bins and dies not check luggage.
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]

technofiend 10y ago

You say that, but United made my boss take his laptop out of his checked luggage and carry it onto the plane. Considering the phalanx of gear some travel with these days, would it really all fit under the seat? Maybe not.

cr1895 10y ago

In some situations the risk that a bag doesn't make it to your destination is too great to take, and therefore it's necessary to carry on. If checking a bag gave the same assurance that it would make your destination with you as carrying it on person, fine: make checking a back the only option. But in reality your checked bag is less likely to meet you at your destination than if you'd have just carried it along with you.

bogomipz 10y ago

>"Why do they even exist? All they do is make boarding and deplaning take 20 extra minutes each." How is that different then taking another 20 minutes to wait to get your luggage at the carousel? Its still 20 minutes of lost productivity for all passengers.

detaro 10y ago

You won't get your luggage from the carousel any minute earlier (at least I've never arrived at the carousel after my luggage), so the only thing you are doing is shifting your waiting time from a plane seat to a loud hall where you have to stand around. I generally prefer my plane seat + the knowledge where my important stuff is and how it has been handled.