Airlines shrink carry on bags max dimensions (primarily width)

[EL PRESIDENTE]

American, United and Delta.

Fuckers. Basically the big thing is they restrict the width to 14", when a lot of roller bags are 15", making them essentially useless now. I rarely use roller bags personally, but this is fucking stupid. In fact, its smaller than the pretty stringent IATA International Carry on standards around the world. Basically at the mercy of a gate agent (or even pre-TSA screening) if they decide to be an asshole or not.

http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/18811748/airlines-change-the-carry-on-rules/

Recently I had a very unpleasant surprise in the TSA line at New York's JFK airport. No, they did not do a touchy-feely pat down or confiscate something.

Just before actually getting to the TSA agent's podium, a red-jacketed person (who I believe was hired by American Airlines as a subcontractor but not an actual employee) insisted that I put my beloved Rimowa four-wheeled suitcase in a bag sizer. Keep in mind that I was flying in business class, and that I've taken this same 21-inch suitcase all around the world on almost every major airline and quite a few not-so-major ones.

To make a long story short, it was rejected as "too big." What I didn't realize, because it's never become an issue, is that American (as well as Delta and United) have fairly new carry on bag limits, including a 14-inch maximum width, and my Rimowa is 15 inches wide, as are many carry ons. Even though it's an inch shorter than the 22-inch length limit, and an inch shorter than the official 9-inch depth limit, back to check in I went. And the line was so long, I almost missed my flight. I was then told that this is a new "FAA regulation" but I doubt that's true, since some airlines still have more generous allowances.

One of my colleagues insists that this is a revenue ploy by the airlines: enforce the limits to the letter, and they'll get more checked bag fees (since I was flying in business class I didn't pay a fee, but others might not be so lucky).

And these size limits are fairly recent policies. In fact, United made the change on March 2, 2014. Their previous policy was that no dimension could be over 22 inches and the total overall dimensions no more than 45 inches. So these very specific measurements really change the game, and will be causing a lot of headaches -- and heartaches when people learn they will have to leave their very expensive (in some cases) favorite bags in the closet or sell them on eBay.

 

[Eastoff]

Fuck those airlines! I wish someone in government would break them up. The services keep getting shittier.

 

[porkchopexpress]

Instead of changing the rules, how about they start enforcing the current standards. The bags that some people bring on are a joke.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Samsonite is happy . . . people have to start buying new travel bags. Nice lobbying by the luggage companies . . . keep taking it down 1 inch at a time

 

[Natebishop3]

When do we get teleportation?

 

[blue32]

I am kinda cool with this. The amount of shit people 'carry-on' w/them is getting outrageous. I mean, you're sitting on the plane for a freaking half hour just waiting for people to get their damn bags dislodged from the overhead bin, all while trying not to get knocked out by someone taking theirs out in front of you.

I always carry my simple backpack, which carries a book, a change of clothes in case the bags get lost, some toiletry items and any meds I need. I keep it under the seat when I'm not using it, and am able to disembark the damn plane in under 30 seconds!

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I am kinda cool with this. The amount of shit people 'carry-on' w/them is getting outrageous. I mean, you're sitting on the plane for a freaking half hour just waiting for people to get their damn bags dislodged from the overhead bin, all while trying not to get knocked out by someone taking theirs out in front of you.

I always carry my simple backpack, which carries a book, a change of clothes in case the bags get lost, some toiletry items and any meds I need. I keep it under the seat when I'm not using it, and am able to disembark the damn plane in under 30 seconds!

I'm also OK with the change . . . and would like to see it enforced strictly.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I am kinda cool with this. The amount of shit people 'carry-on' w/them is getting outrageous. I mean, you're sitting on the plane for a freaking half hour just waiting for people to get their damn bags dislodged from the overhead bin, all while trying not to get knocked out by someone taking theirs out in front of you.

I always carry my simple backpack, which carries a book, a change of clothes in case the bags get lost, some toiletry items and any meds I need. I keep it under the seat when I'm not using it, and am able to disembark the damn plane in under 30 seconds!

Totally agreed here. I am shocked by the shit I see people carry on. One carry-on and one personal item? Please. I see so many people with two-carry on's and a backpack. WTF?

It shouldn't take me 10-12 minutes to get off the plane when I'm only 10-12 rows back.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

That's fine and all, enforce the current rules. They're making most rolling carry on bags obsolete now though. I personally don't use them that often, but I do have one that I can't use on those 3 carriers now.