Carryon Luggage Hassles

[iloveyoga]

It does not seem to me that the airlines are set up to help people put bags in the overhead bins. I have never heard of this being a service they provide.

[Aerides]

The reality is I can carry my bag, and do, but inevitably as a female traveling with a carry on, when I get to my row, there are usually at least 2 men who almost want to grab it from my hand and put it in the bin, before I even get it off the ground.

I don't need the help. But it is offered in a way that would almost be rude to refuse - especially when it's coming from some stranger I'm expecting to sit next to for the next 4 hours.

Do others observe me as "female can't lift her own luggage, should have checked it, hmmph!" welp they'd be wrong.

[jpeter1093]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Another Reader I think my approach would be to stand in the aisle at my chosen seat until someone offered to assist me. Want to squeeze by? Sure, if you can. Or maybe I would sit down and leave the carry-on in the aisle until someone decided to help. That's no more selfish than what's been suggested as a "solution."

How would the people squeezing by know that you were waiting for your bag assistant rather than just waiting for someone? Or had just suffered a stroke and couldn't move?

[pb4uski]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerides The reality is I can carry my bag, and do, but inevitably as a female traveling with a carry on, when I get to my row, there are usually at least 2 men who almost want to grab it from my hand and put it in the bin, before I even get it off the ground. I don't need the help. But it is offered in a way that would almost be rude to refuse - especially when it's coming from some stranger I'm expecting to sit next to for the next 4 hours. Do others observe me as "female can't lift her own luggage, should have checked it, hmmph!" welp they'd be wrong.

My perspective is that I would observe you as a female who could lift her own luggage if she needed to but as a common courtesy since I happen to be standing there it might be easier for her if I did it. If I am seated I wouldn't necessarily get up from my seat to help if it's clear that help is not needed, but if I just happen to be standing there anyway then there is no good reason for me to not offer help.

[Another Reader]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pb4uski My perspective is that I would observe you as a female who could lift her own luggage if she needed to but as a common courtesy since I happen to be standing there it might be easier for her if I did it. If I am seated I wouldn't necessarily get up from my seat to help if it's clear that help is not needed, but if I just happen to be standing there anyway then there is no good reason for me to not offer help.

Goodness, what a complicated decision tree for that common courtesy!

[pb4uski]

Perhaps complex to you... but pretty simple for most people.

[cathy63]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerides The reality is I can carry my bag, and do, but inevitably as a female traveling with a carry on, when I get to my row, there are usually at least 2 men who almost want to grab it from my hand and put it in the bin, before I even get it off the ground. I don't need the help. But it is offered in a way that would almost be rude to refuse - especially when it's coming from some stranger I'm expecting to sit next to for the next 4 hours. Do others observe me as "female can't lift her own luggage, should have checked it, hmmph!" welp they'd be wrong.

I live by the "never pack more than you can carry" rule and I also find my carryon luggage being grabbed and hoisted more often than not. I figure a lot of the help is self-defense though. I've seen plenty of aisle sitters get hit by other people stowing unwieldy luggage, and I'm short, so they don't know I'm more capable than I look or that my bag is lighter than it looks. I always just smile and say thanks.

[Nemo2]

Since I always stow away in the aircraft's wheel well, all I have room for is a parachute and some warm clothing; therefore carry on is, out of necessity, limited.

[gerntz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbieB I take 1 big wheeled Timbuk2 XL(too big to carry on) bag and check it. I pack booze in this bag so I have to. My computer bag with meds and 1 pr of undies goes on with me.

+1 for Euro trips.

[Another Reader]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemo2 Since I always stow away in the aircraft's wheel well, all I have room for is a parachute and some warm clothing; therefore carry on is, out of necessity, limited.

But does the tarmac crew offer you boarding assistance?

[Teacher Terry]

I don’t mind when a man lifts my luggage to the overhead bin. I think it’s great. It’s never heavier than what I can lift.

[MrsHaloFIRE]

DH says if I can't hump it, I can't bring it. Humping being armyspeak for carry your own on foot. Preferably at a fast pace. Something to be said for not bringing what you can't move yourself. In and out of cars/shuttles/ buses/ small plane boarding. Except 2nd deck on a c5. That internal ladder is essentially straight up. Good luck with rolling luggage climbing straight up.

[EastWest Gal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Another Reader I wonder if it's possible to substantially improve the system by eliminating all carry-on bags except a coat and one purse or bag of similar size that fits under the seat. Just eliminate the overhead bins. Instead, redesign the luggage handling end so you can get your bags within 10 minutes of deplaning and you get it near where you deplane, already sorted with your name on it. A lot of time wasted on boarding and deplaning will be saved. My approach with Southwest is "get on, sit down, shut up, and fly." The plane is an intercity bus, and should operate as such.

As someone who has traveled with a bass flute to Europe, the dimensions of my instrument case are technically outside the range of a carryon, but it easily fits in the overhead bin. Because it is a musical instrument, I’ve never had a problem with carrying it on board. It would not survive airport baggage handlers.

An outright ban on carryons would wreak havoc on traveling musicians.

[jcretire77]

I hate flying and all the crap that it entails. I check my bags. It is so much easier and I expect no one to help me (I hate tipping too!)

[hopefullyoneday]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Another Reader The rules of carriage are different for aircraft, so maybe reasonable accommodation does not apply. I only fly short hop Southwest flights these days, so I'm really only familiar with them. From what I observe, the attendants help the pre-board passengers with severe physical disabilities on every flight and assistance varies with other people. Not exactly a consistent policy. I think my approach would be to stand in the aisle at my chosen seat until someone offered to assist me. Want to squeeze by? Sure, if you can. Or maybe I would sit down and leave the carry-on in the aisle until someone decided to help. That's no more selfish than what's been suggested as a "solution." pb4uski's attitude is exactly what's wrong with flying, driving and lines in the grocery store. Me first, and the heck with everyone else. Some thought and discussion with compassion for others might help in finding a more equitable and efficient solution for everyone.

So not to be selfish why would you not place your bag on your assigned seat then stand in front of your seat so other passengers can get by until assistance arrives to help you. I for one would be more willing to help someone who does as I mentioned than the way you suggested.

[hopefullyoneday]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Another Reader Suppose we are going to the same business meeting. You get to leave the airport earlier and get to the meeting. I have to wait at the baggage claim and arrive later. To be clear, I don't think another passenger should assist me. I think the airline has an obligation to assist its' passengers. Pre-boarding and assisting with storing luggage is part of treating the customer fairly.

You should have scheduled a flight not so close to the meeting time.

[hopefullyoneday]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Another Reader Goodness, what a complicated decision tree for that common courtesy!

Does not seem complicated to me, but to someone like you who thinks they are entitled it must.

[RunningBum]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hopefullyoneday You should have scheduled a flight not so close to the meeting time.

That's the second time I've seen someone say one should take an earlier flight. I'm not taking an earlier flight just because it bugs someone else that I've got a carry on. That's your problem, not mine, though I always try to use the space by my own seat, and can always get it on my own. If I couldn't, I wouldn't just leave my bag in the aisle and insist that someone else put them up. That's ridiculous. My bag is my problem. I'd ask someone politely if they could help, with a quick explanation of why I can't. Actually, I probably would check it if I couldn't manage it myself.

Mostly I've avoided the problem and other flying headaches by flying first or business class, or at least economy+. I used to think it was ridiculous to pay extra for a couple hours in a more comfortable seat, but anymore I just hate flying in coach. I fold in the extra cost as the price of taking trips, otherwise I'd be taking fewer trips to avoid the headaches.

[braumeister]

Many points of view, but the topic is exhausted. So are many of us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBzJGckMYO4