Air Canada to begin clamping down on carry-on bags

[Huntingwhale]

About time. I'm sick of those stupid ''carry-ons'' that are pretty much a smaller suitcase, made of hard plastic, that people feel the need to carry with them on the plane. What in God's name do you need to have packed alongside you that you can't put in your suitcase? Buy a small bag, put your change of clothes and whatever necessary items you need in it and be a considerate flyer. Pay the damn check in fee like everyone else and don't pump out the ol' "I don't like waiting at the carousel for hours'' excuse. BS. You just participated in the bloody miracle of flight. It's a great achievement of mankind that you are now thousands of kilometres away after only a short time. You can wait at the damn carousel for ''hours'' like the rest of us.

[FlamesAddiction]

The carry-on size should be based on the idea that if every single passenger wanted to, they could bring the maximum size allowed and it would fit. As it is right now, that is not the case. If everyone decided that they didn't like waiting at the carousel and brought the largest carry-on possible, there simply wouldn't be room. I have seen it happen where some unfortunate person has to put their little bag several rows away from their seat because the compartment above them has someone's suitcase in it.

The airlines seem to take it for granted that not everyone will have carry-on and have allowed people to bring more than their fair share into the cabin, but now it seems to backfire more often than not.

I hate waiting at the carousel as well and it is always nice if you are only going somewhere overnight and don't need a lot. But another thing I hate is having to be jammed into a tiny plan longer than necessary because either the flight attendants can't find room for someone's bag, or having to sit in my seat with someone's butt in my face while they struggle to get their luggage out after the plane lands.

[BsFaninCGY]

Ok, I guess I'll be the guy who takes the other side of this.

I travel for work a lot. I work in the film industry and while my carry-on is usually one Pelican 1510 case - it's always overweight. The reason? I'm usually carrying about $50k+ of film equipment that is not only fragile and I need to keep out of baggage handlers hands but also my entire career in one box. If it goes missing for a day or two I can put a production very behind schedule costing them big bucks, and if never comes back it could be disastrous for my livelihood.

I love how people in this thread are all like 'why do you need to take the kitchen sink on a regional flight to Saskatchewan?' - not realizing there are a million reasons why. Maybe it's delicate samples for a trade show; valuables not to be let out of sight; temperature sensitive items not to be stowed away below... whatever the reason, some people DO need a little leniency with their carry-ons and I hope AC uses a little common sense on this one.

In fact, I think I'm going to write a letter....

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Here's how I travel:

I bought a piece of carry-on luggage and checked with WestJet (via twitter) about the dimensions. I did that for one simple reason: they have a maximum height of 21" but when luggage companies advertise a 21" bag, they are referring to the internal height, they don't count the height of the wheels/legs. My 21" American Standard bag is 23" tall. Therefore I don't fly with it. If I have to check a bag I bring a bigger bag, if I don't check a bag I bring a smaller bag.

So there can be some confusion on what is on the tag of your bag, and the actual size of the bag (kind of like how house plans don't necessarily include hallways as floor space in the total floor space of your house plan).

I try and fly only carry-on for the same reason an above poster stated. I don't want to wait around for 20-30 minutes to get my bag, with the possibility of it being "lost" in the back of my mind.

I like walking off the plane and walking away. It's great and far more convenient, at both takeoff and landing.

There are exceptions to the rule on why people need to bring the kitchen sink, BsFaninCGY raises one of these (what if you need a lot of medication or medical equipment with you?). That said I think most posters are referring to people who don't want to play by the rules and are bringing their tent, and firepit camping for the weekend.

[OBCT]

Good. For the many reasons already expressed in this thread, I am pleased by this development, and look forward to hopefully hearing of further measures to improve the efficiency and civility of embarking and debarking flights.

However, after reading BsFaninCGY's post, I admit I had not thought of that angle. Therefore, I think there should be an option to pay a small amount more (enough that not everyone will automatically do it, but not enough to be a burden) to get your carry-on limits waived for people in such a scenario. Either that, or have some way of allowing for exemptions in special cases.

[Regular_John]

The real kicker here is that it's the front line staff who get stuck with another headache because the boardroom folks wanted to increase the bottom line.

The $25 bag fee is just a way of squeezing an extra $50 round trip out of a passenger while advertising a lower ticket price, and carryon bag sizes were never enforced before, so of course it got worse when their was incentive not to check bags.

If the airlines had been smart they'd have started enforcing carryon bag sizes years ago and then implemented the bag check fee once they had that under control.

What's most interesting to me is what the burn rate on extra time spent arguing with passengers and delayed flights.

[Igottago]

I agree its good. The mad scramble for overhead bins is annoying, as is people bringing massive suitcases as a carry on and taking up more than their fair share of space. Check that bag.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by OBCT

Good. For the many reasons already expressed in this thread, I am pleased by this development, and look forward to hopefully hearing of further measures to improve the efficiency and civility of embarking and debarking flights.

However, after reading BsFaninCGY's post, I admit I had not thought of that angle. Therefore, I think there should be an option to pay a small amount more (enough that not everyone will automatically do it, but not enough to be a burden) to get your carry-on limits waived for people in such a scenario. Either that, or have some way of allowing for exemptions in special cases.

I really like the idea of enforcing the carryon rules strictly, but allowing exceptions for slightly more than the cost of checking a bag. Then someone with samples, or expensive camera equipment or whatever will pay the $35/carryon to keep it with them, but that would be enough to deter most people into waiting for the carousel. Maybe make it $50 for a larger carryon if too many people use it, but I think most carryons are people just being cheap and trying to reduce checked bag fees.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by BsFaninCGY

Ok, I guess I'll be the guy who takes the other side of this.

I travel for work a lot. I work in the film industry and while my carry-on is usually one Pelican 1510 case - it's always overweight. The reason? I'm usually carrying about $50k+ of film equipment that is not only fragile and I need to keep out of baggage handlers hands but also my entire career in one box. If it goes missing for a day or two I can put a production very behind schedule costing them big bucks, and if never comes back it could be disastrous for my livelihood.

Unfortunately for every one of you, there are 20 other cheapskates who are only carrying their clothes and crap.

But I do agree that there should be a way to carry oversized sensitive items with you on board (maybe a couple bins dedicated for this) that come with a premium cost. Checking items at the gate (i.e. like they do with strollers) is probably the next best option.

[Flacker]

Originally Posted by cracher

Sorry, you're right. AC does charge, I just looked into it. However, if you have enough points within aeroplan (weird system, there are 2 separate point systems), they waive the fee - which is why I've never noticed.

Correct, if you have status they waive the baggage fee. Also depends where you are travelling. Brazil has legislation against charging for bags on all international flights, as a result the Toronto>Sao Paulo flight allows you two free checked bags.

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I especially hate it when these people who bring their monster bags, force other, smaller and compliant, bags out of the bin. Ie when some cheapsake brings his monster bag on, and because the stewardess wants to keep things moving, takes out smaller bags to accommodate this guy and now you're the one paying for his cheapness.

I've had this happen. Frustrating. The stew takes my laptop bag out of the overhead bin and asks me to hold it or put it under my feet so somebody's large carry on bag can be stored instead. Are you kidding? Check those bags people!

[Doodlebug]

If the laptop bag was the only thing I carried on the plane, I would be pretty choked if asked to put it under the seat ahead of me.

Seen a lot of people who have both legal sized carry on items, plus legal size personal items....and put both in the over head bins.... along with a coat or sweater.

[BsFaninCGY]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Unfortunately for every one of you, there are 20 other cheapskates who are only carrying their clothes and crap.

But I do agree that there should be a way to carry oversized sensitive items with you on board (maybe a couple bins dedicated for this) that come with a premium cost. Checking items at the gate (i.e. like they do with strollers) is probably the next best option.

100% agree. Maybe a class system of overhead bins needs to be designed. Or treat them like lockers - rent a key for the flight and have your own personal space...

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Unfortunately for every one of you, there are 20 other cheapskates who are only carrying their clothes and crap.

But I do agree that there should be a way to carry oversized sensitive items with you on board (maybe a couple bins dedicated for this) that come with a premium cost. Checking items at the gate (i.e. like they do with strollers) is probably the next best option.

Originally Posted by BsFaninCGY

100% agree. Maybe a class system of overhead bins needs to be designed. Or treat them like lockers - rent a key for the flight and have your own personal space...

These ideas seem like they have merit...........................they will never fly.

[Travis Munroe]

Where could I buy a travel safe edition of all my liquids and gels ? I too love the convenience of on off without dealing with checked bags or the stress as to whether or not it will make it.

I know it has to be out there but can't recall ever seeing them.

[llwhiteoutll]

Originally Posted by troutman

Why do you need to take the kitchen sink to Saskatoon for the weekend?

People try to rush on board even before their zone is called.

Zone enforcement is what they need to work on after this. I remember my last flight they called up Plus seating and emergency exit rows and 3/4 of the plane lined up, when at full capacity it should be about 19 people going up.

Then the guy who got pissy when I asked him why he was putting his oversized bags into the Plus bins over my seat. Apparently, just because there is more room there, he felt he could use it as I hadn't sat down and "claimed" the space yet.

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

Where could I buy a travel safe edition of all my liquids and gels ? I too love the convenience of on off without dealing with checked bags or the stress as to whether or not it will make it.

I know it has to be out there but can't recall ever seeing them.

I get all my small versions at Walmart. Anything equal to or under 100ml/grams is fine for carry on.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by BsFaninCGY

Ok, I guess I'll be the guy who takes the other side of this.

I travel for work a lot. I work in the film industry and while my carry-on is usually one Pelican 1510 case - it's always overweight. The reason? I'm usually carrying about $50k+ of film equipment that is not only fragile and I need to keep out of baggage handlers hands but also my entire career in one box. If it goes missing for a day or two I can put a production very behind schedule costing them big bucks, and if never comes back it could be disastrous for my livelihood.

I love how people in this thread are all like 'why do you need to take the kitchen sink on a regional flight to Saskatchewan?' - not realizing there are a million reasons why. Maybe it's delicate samples for a trade show; valuables not to be let out of sight; temperature sensitive items not to be stowed away below... whatever the reason, some people DO need a little leniency with their carry-ons and I hope AC uses a little common sense on this one.

In fact, I think I'm going to write a letter....

I can understand that. And certainly there are exception that will pop up such as yours. But 99% of the time, it's someone who is too cheap to check their bag and thinks they are above everyone else. They think they can avoid a check-in fee, be first in line to get on the plane, shove their big metallic ''carry-on'' in the overhead bin and be on their merry way. Inconveniencing everyone else around them for their own personal satisfaction. Airports are full of people like that and very rarely can you give someone the benefit of a doubt. Just like many things in life, a small minority ruin it for the rest of us.

Again, I know their are exception and hopefully AC does their best to use common sense where exception are needed. But it's just funny how everyone seems to have an exception these days.

[polak]

Damn, one less thing to laugh at while at the airport.

Now it's up to the people who try to bring 6 bottles of their grandma's home made vodka through security and the people who stat budging one another to try and board the plane first (it's not going anywhere without you) to pick up the Airport entertainment slack for polak.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

Where could I buy a travel safe edition of all my liquids and gels ? I too love the convenience of on off without dealing with checked bags or the stress as to whether or not it will make it.

I know it has to be out there but can't recall ever seeing them.

Pretty much every drugstore if you're not picky.

[Oil Stain]

If people were just bringing on one oversized piece of luggage it wouldn't be so bad.

I see people board routinely with two pieces of carry on plus a laptop bag/satchel/purse, plus carrying their coat.

I almost always travel with one piece of luggage period. I like to wait until the end to board but that's become impossible lately as everyone has insane amounts of carry on and you risk having to check at the last minute.