Carry-On Luggage: There Must Be Enforced Limits

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by DCgator

Some will bring non-standard size carry on and fill it with what feels like sand or rocks and they can't lift it up that someone has to help them put it in the bin and later take it down. It is utterly ridiculous and it's not getting better at all. But yes, the airlines is hugely to blame for allowing these nuts to board with coffin size bags or duffles.

A little old lady asked me to help her place her modest sized wheeled carry on in the overhead. I went to pick it up but stopped when I discovered that it weighed about 200 lbs. I think she must have been transporting gold blocks, really. I told her I wasn't going to be able to help her, and that if it fell down it might kill someone. She scoweled at me, jerk.
Some other sucker strained his back getting it up there. Not over her seat either.
Fortunately I only have to fly 4 or 5 times a year. I usually take one small carry on with any valuables, laptop, change of undies and socks, and a book. I just check the rest, no problems. If I have to wait a few minutes, so what? Everyone's always in such a hurry to wait.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I could not agree with you more.

It's an outrage, actually.

I know that people have to travel, but what a way to begin and end a "vacation."

I can tell you that I don't need that crap.

Again, I have to disagree. I have been traveling pretty consistently for 15 years on business. As long as you travel light and pay close attention to the rule changes, it's really a trivial endeavor.

The only gripe I have at the moment is the reduction in the number of flights, which has created overcrowding more frequently.

If you're like me and the whining of others gets to you, do what I do. I bring earplugs. I find they're most useful in the airport (when people spew some really annoying garbage out of their mouths), and during boarding (griping to flight attendants, making "last calls" to loved ones, etc...)

[lifeis2short4aFTjob]

This is exactly why I love Amtrak!

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by TheDude

Again, I have to disagree. I have been traveling pretty consistently for 15 years on business. As long as you travel light and pay close attention to the rule changes, it's really a trivial endeavor.

The only gripe I have at the moment is the reduction in the number of flights, which has created overcrowding more frequently.

If you're like me and the whining of others gets to you, do what I do. I bring earplugs. I find they're most useful in the airport (when people spew some really annoying garbage out of their mouths), and during boarding (griping to flight attendants, making "last calls" to loved ones, etc...)

I try to keep other people's problems, other people's problems. If I'm alone, I relax, get there plenty early, get a beer, etc. No problem. If the plane's looking bad, another drink on the plane usually induces a nice nap.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by TheDude

Again, I have to disagree. I have been traveling pretty consistently for 15 years on business. As long as you travel light and pay close attention to the rule changes, it's really a trivial endeavor

I guess it's a matter of tolerance. When I used to fly on business, I carried a legally-sized, carry-on duffel and with my Marine Corps training, I could put a weeks worth of clothing in it. If I was flying to appear in court, I wore my court clothes to save space.

Regardless, it was the pain of going through security that really bugged me, because being a 6'2" blond, blue-eyed, middle-aged man, dressed in a business suit, I am clearly a suspected terrorist and one time too many, I was forced to go through the super-duper, ultra-premium, double-whammy, bend-over-here-it-comes security inspection.

You may disagree all you want. Obviously, the current system is cool with you, but it is definitely not cool with me.

I don't have to fly, so I don't. If I did have to fly, I would, but I wouldn't like it even if everyone who ever signed up on this board quoted my post and disagreed with me.

Now hear this! I do not like to fly commercially. I hate the airport. I hate the concession stands that rip you off. I hate the check-in process. I hate the waiting for the plane. I hate the people who wait for the plane with me. I hate boarding the plane. I hate the cramped seats. I hate the kid who partied till 4:00am and who's dressed like a street waif and still smells of alcohol and stinks up a whole section of the plane.

The one thing I do like is, after we land and arrive at the gate, all the people who stand-up and grab their luggage from the overhead and stand there like idiots for ten minutes until they can finally waddle out to the ramp. I like that because I just remain seated until they all clear out, then I grab my bag from under my seat and stride out of the airplane all alone and with some modicum of dignity.

So, go ahead and disagree til the cows come home.

You like it.

I don't.

I'm actually glad that you do like it because I know a few airline pilots and others in the industry and they're nice people and I want them to keep working.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Now hear this! I do not like to fly commercially. I hate the airport. I hate the concession stands that rip you off. I hate the check-in process. I hate the waiting for the plane. I hate the people who wait for the plane with me. I hate boarding the plane. I hate the cramped seats. I hate the kid who partied till 4:00am and who's dressed like a street waif and still smells of alcohol and stinks up a whole section of the plane.

You forgot standing in line to use a bathroom the size of a coffin and trying to crawl over the two 300 pound people fast asleep in the aisle and middle seat should you have to get up and stretch your back on a trans-Pacific flight.

Flying to Asia or the South Pacific on a US-based airline is like being in jail for a weekend, only at least in jail, one can walk around a little. Plus, the jailers are generally more polite than fight attendants.

[GradyPhilpott]

Oh, yeah, and those, too.

[fusionstorm]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

You forgot standing in line to use a bathroom the size of a coffin and trying to crawl over the two 300 pound people fast asleep in the aisle and middle seat should you have to get up and stretch your back on a trans-Pacific flight.

Flying to Asia or the South Pacific on a US-based airline is like being in jail for a weekend, only at least in jail, one can walk around a little. Plus, the jailers are generally more polite than fight attendants.

I only fly business class when going overseas. The extra cost is worth feeling much more refreshed when I arrive at my destination.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by fusionstorm

I only fly business class when going overseas. The extra cost is worth feeling much more refreshed when I arrive at my destination.

When we fly to Finland in a couple of months, I'm going either First Class or Business Class. I can use my recent back surgery as a good excuse.

[fusionstorm]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

When we fly to Finland in a couple of months, I'm going either First Class or Business Class. I can use my recent back surgery as a good excuse.

Be warned that once you go Biz or First class for overseas flights, you will never want to fly Coach again. But if you plan ahead, the additional cost is not too severe.

Congrats on the speedy recovery from your surgery, based on your other thread about you riding again......

[therolexguy]

I always wonder, when these planes are tested/designed, don't you think they take in to effect that luggage (or a certain amount of weight) will be in the belly (lower part). You can't tell me they have planned for everyone filling out the overhead and nothing's down below.....

[Brit78]

I have been flying more and more recently and it's just a circus. Across the US, Europe, everywhere and it's all bad. Unless you can avoid a US carrier, which usually improves things. Funny, I flew first class yesterday from Cincinnati to Salt Lake City for the day for work and the first class "breakfast" was a minature box of rasin bran. Even the pricey seats are a joke on US carriers.

I must say though that about 6+ years in, I still swear by my Patagonia carry on bag. It's called the MLC bag (maximum legal carry-on). Designed to be just the right size. Love it.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by Brit78

I must say though that about 6+ years in, I still swear by my Patagonia carry on bag. It's called the MLC bag (maximum legal carry-on). Designed to be just the right size. Love it.

I just looked this bag up on Zappos. It looks great. I usually use a computer case or backpack, but the MLC fits the bill for everything. Thanks for the tip.

[marie]

I have been flying more recently and have tried to become more efficient with my packing.

Now I can manage to pack for a week in one small roller-board that fits in the overhead bin easily, and then one purse as my carry-on.
Not too bad I think.

I will have to see how I do when the weather is colder and the clothing takes up more space.

[ParisDakarBmw]

I don't mind some of the stuff in the normal rat race, but some people are just plain stupid.

After being in the military, I guess you learn not to be the "Turd in the punch bowl".

When your told to get in line, or sit down, you do it. On an airplane 160 people have 160 seperate agendas, and it looks like a disaster. If everyone just got on the plane, and sat in their assigned seat, we'd be there 45 minutes sooner. Instead people walk around looking like mouth breathers. I just sit there wondering how some people made it this far

[Zed Homme]

Originally Posted by therolexguy

I always wonder, when these planes are tested/designed, don't you think they take in to effect that luggage (or a certain amount of weight) will be in the belly (lower part). You can't tell me they have planned for everyone filling out the overhead and nothing's down below.....

The bottom of the planes are filled with cargo. In fact that is how most air cargo (and mail) gets to it's destinations vs the dedicated air cargo planes we see on tv, or parked in front of dalip's house...

[Mike B]

Here is what I think about flying (NSFW, some strong language) :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8VoIP9ZM8U

[joeychitwood]

Funny link, Mike. I've had the EXACT same thoughts on trans-Pacific flights. Food, drink, bathroom, food, drink, bathroom, three Gomer Pyle episodes on the in-flight TV followed by one movie, then another......and you still have 14 hours to go!!!!

[Porsche]

Hi guys

have followed this thread with much interest (and amusement, some funny stuff here ) and I just read this story online... I think it should be mandatory reading for all travellers!


travel-writer-takes-the-no-baggage-challenge

Story here
http://www.smh.com.au/executive-styl...902-14qz5.html

His BLOG here
http://www.rtwblog.com/


PS. I want to get on a plane and sit next to this guy and buy him a beer