Forced to check carry on, no more room in overhead

[Kings over Queens]

Question for the forum, would this annoy you?

Wife and I are flying United the other day, EWR to MIA, purchased aisle seats, row 10, premier economy or whatever they call it...point being, the tickets cost more than basic economy, and for the difference in price, you get to pick your seat, a seat with more legroom, and, a carry on. We travel light so we can hit the ground running.

Wait for our boarding group to be called, and get put in a separate line, everyone ahead of us (about 10 people) are getting their bags checked. There is no more room in the overheads.

Now, I get they board the plane in certain order for efficiency, however, you can bypass that process by paying extra, again, for preferred boarding. The whole thing just annoys me.

The icing on the cake, get to our seats, and the overhead has room for our bags.

 

[audreyh1]

Bummer! Also weird if economy plus is boarding early.

At least the bags are returned to you at the gate.

 

[athena53]

Bummer! Also weird if economy plus is boarding early.

At least the bags are returned to you at the gate.

Not always. Last year at this time I was flying to Albania with an overnight in London and the headlines were full of lost bag stories, so I decided to take a carry-on only- a small rollaboard. It was a challenge since it was a 3-week trip! They asked for people to voluntarily check carry-ons (this was Kansas City, connecting in Chicago to London) and I asked if Id get it back at the gate. No- it would be checked through to London- just what I wanted to avoid. Fortunately there was room in the overhead.

It seems to vary by flight.

 

[FlaMariner]

Our strategy with Delta is to tote our carry on bags (that's all we travel with) all the way to the gate and then we get to "check them for free" because the flight is always full and they are eagerly looking for "volunteers" to check their bag "all the way to your final destination".

Saves us the annoying baggage fees as we board last and off we go to our seats in steerage class......

Very frustrating to pay to check our baggage and then getting to the gate and watch folks getting to check their bags for free....We watched and learned!

 

[Kings over Queens]

Bummer! Also weird if economy plus is boarding early.

At least the bags are returned to you at the gate.

Nope, had to retrieve them at the luggage carousal. Added 30 minutes by the time we got down that level, waited (ours were the last to come out, naturally) and then get back up to the 3rd level to make our way MIA mover to get to the rental area.

Naturally, the luggage carousal area is hot (it's Miami, I get it) and my wife hates the heat, so now I'm dealing with heatmiser on top of it.

 

[Sunset]

.....

Wait for our boarding group to be called, and get put in a separate line, everyone ahead of us (about 10 people) are getting their bags checked. There is no more room in the overheads.

...
The icing on the cake, get to our seats, and the overhead has room for our bags.

It seems to me, that you simply misunderstood the need/request to check bags. Did they actually tell you, you must check your bag

I purposefully bring a carry on bag, to contain stuff I don't want stolen by the baggage handlers, like laptop, pills, spare camera, etc.. so I'd be very reluctant to check my bag.

 

[MichaelB]

Every flight I’ve taken in the past 3-4 years, in the middle of the boarding process they have announced no more carry ones, not enough room, everything needs to be checked, and they will not charge. Not a single flight without this announcement. In my experience it’s now part of flying.

I stopped bringing larger carry ons because of this and check our baggage. I only carry on a small backpack with my tablet and kindle that fits easily under the seat in front and still allows me leg room.

 

[pb4uski]

With the OP posted happen to my son last week. They required him to check his carry-on and then when he got to see there was plenty of room in the overhead bins. Really bloody annoying!

How hard would it be to for them to check the number carry-on bags as they're boarding?

 

[Aerides]

premier economy or whatever they call it...point being, the tickets cost more than basic economy, and for the difference in price, you get to pick your seat, a seat with more legroom, and, a carry on. We travel light so we can hit the ground running.

Yeah I pay for this middle-economy in part for that reason too. I hate to check a bag, especially on a short trip. 30 minutes lost on a weekend getaway is a bigger deal than a weeklong. And of course the risk of a lost bag is no longer zero.

But it's always a risk. Sometimes you get an older plane with no space. Or my last Delta flight you had to put the bags flat which of course reduces the footprint for bags. I had to make fast friends with a flight attendant to find space. This has worked for me a couple of times.

If I was told at the gate before boarding I'd make a plea with the agents. But even so, I still pack my one or two "can't live without" things in my small satchel bag as well.

 

[tulak]

If I paid for a premium seat that guarantees space for carry-on, I’d refuse to check my bag. And as you noted, there was space.

I find they often ask for people to check bags at the gate. I ignore it and see what happens when on the plane. I’ve noticed the crew is good at figuring out how to fill the overhead bins and if it’s truly full, they’ll check your luggage once you’re on the plane.

I haven’t checked luggage in a very long time. I travel light with a small carry-on suitcase (intl standard size). I don’t want to deal with lost luggage or waiting at baggage claim.

 

[COcheesehead]

I’ve flown the little regional CJ jets where nobody gets to carry on, but they do give you your bag right on the jetway.

 

[brett]

Since retiring 12 years ago we only travel with international size carry on (slightly smaller that NA size). 7 days of 3 months. All the same to us.

Our practice when boarding IF we are not certain that we will find space in the overhead is to simply place our bag in empty overhead space as we walk down the aisle.

On smaller planes we are typically required to place our bag on a rack as we go up the stairs to the plane. When we land, the bags are in a rack at the bottom of the stairs as we deplane.

We travel frequently. Many countries, many types of aircraft. We have never been forced to check a bag...or even gate check it.

When travelling for business on a very expensive business class fare I was once asked to put my large briefcase under the seat in front of me. I demurred. Five hour flight, I paid top dollar. Space is not my problem one my regulatiion size bag is stored above.

 

[Exchme]

Question for the forum, would this annoy you?

Wife and I are flying United the other day, EWR to MIA, purchased aisle seats, row 10, premier economy or whatever they call it...point being, the tickets cost more than basic economy, and for the difference in price, you get to pick your seat, a seat with more legroom, and, a carry on. We travel light so we can hit the ground running.

Wait for our boarding group to be called, and get put in a separate line, everyone ahead of us (about 10 people) are getting their bags checked. There is no more room in the overheads.

Now, I get they board the plane in certain order for efficiency, however, you can bypass that process by paying extra, again, for preferred boarding. The whole thing just annoys me.

The icing on the cake, get to our seats, and the overhead has room for our bags.

Usually they board in an order such that the folks that paid the most get the carryon space. Super weird that they would force bag checking on a bunch of folks when there is still space. I think I would have been the carryon police and made a stink if someone in regular economy ended up grabbing the space. Part of getting policies changed is when customers complain.

If you are a MileagePlus member, send a complaint. Maybe you will get some miles out of it.

 

[W2R]

Question for the forum, would this annoy you?

No, because I wouldn't pay good money for the "privilege" of experiencing that sort of poor treatment. I'd stay home (and I do, because I don't like traveling).

If they keep this up, I think more and more people just won't be willing to pay so much for that sort of mistreatment. At least that is how supply and demand works in my imaginary world. Maybe in reality people are eager to tolerate more than I think.

 

[Mark1]

I’ve flown the little regional CJ jets where nobody gets to carry on, but they do give you your bag right on the jetway.

I prefer the regional jets for this reason, 2 person rows; and the amazing speed at which they load/unload. IMO, the only negative is less experienced pilots.

I suspect the airlines tell their employees to start checking bags early (even for free and even if there is empty overhead space) to save boarding time and get the dang plane back in the air earning money. Boarding times on large jets are ridiculous.

 

[Gumby]

... Boarding times on large jets are ridiculous.

I can't tell you how many times I have felt like yelling "Let's go people! We don't have all day here, so quit lallygagging and sit your butts down!"

 

[Aerides]

If I paid for a premium seat that guarantees space for carry-on, I’d refuse to check my bag.

Unfortunately, there are no "guarantees" with air travel. I would imagine the fine print on any ticket purchase says something like subject to availability. But yeah, I would push back, as politely as possible.

There are sure to be 100+ regular economy folks with bags who can be easier targets for this sort of thing.

 

[Breedlove]

Ohhhhh, let me tell you about our trip we just returned from . Multiple train wrecks. So we were leaving for Amsterdam out of DFW . We live between Houston and Dallas so we can go either way and DFW was 200.00 a person cheaper . But you see this flight went from Dallas to Houston to Amsterdam .
We are on our way to DFW when we get a text out flight has been cancelled . So we call United , can we catch the flight out of Houston …even though we had printed boarding passes . Sure , you can 450.00 each ..So we pay the extra 900.00 .I know fools. So we drive back to Houston . Now this story gets worse .
We park at the Parking Spot and ride to the airport . I grab my bag she grabs hers . Our plane was to leave at 5:10 . We board the plane all is good …..We sit for two hours on the plane . Then we all get off and they say they will have another plane to board at 9:20 PM ….Meantime wife opens her bag..it’s not hers .
Immediately she starts yelling I grabbed the wrong bag off the airplane . So the only ID on or in the bag was a guys prescription drug. So I have a name , go to the people at the gate . That person is not on this flight whaaaaat . So I call CVS and explain can they call the person the drugs were for and tell him we have his bag . Oh yea , the owner of the bag calls and explains my wife grabbed the wrong bag off of the shuttle bus from the park and fly.
I had to go full OJ and meet the shuttle bus nd exchange bags and thank god the flight didn’t leave till after 10:00 PM . I had to leave the airport then come back through security man what a trip. ….The guy missed his flight and did I say he was mad ……oh my .

 

[audreyh1]

Our luggage is well decorated including pompoms.

 

[Breedlove]

Yes Pom Poms would have been great . She now has a big orange fluorescent Tape X on her bag. ..

 

[audreyh1]

Yes Pom Poms would have been great . She now has a big orange fluorescent Tape X on her bag. ..

There is some excellent decorative duct (or duck) tape that’s great for decorating luggage.

 

[rodi]

You're not allowed to check things with big batteries, like laptops... so just insist that your laptop is in your carryon so it can't be checked.

 

[tulak]

Unfortunately, there are no "guarantees" with air travel. I would imagine the fine print on any ticket purchase says something like subject to availability. But yeah, I would push back, as politely as possible.



There are sure to be 100+ regular economy folks with bags who can be easier targets for this sort of thing.

I don’t disagree that there’s likely some fine print. I know on Delta, for comfort+ and higher, you have reserved space in the overhead bin for your carry-on. Similar to what the OP shared above. I can’t imagine a case where there wouldn’t be space. But if you booked basic economy, then board quickly and grab a spot.

 

[ivinsfan]

If I paid for a premium seat that guarantees space for carry-on, I’d refuse to check my bag. And as you noted, there was space.

I find they often ask for people to check bags at the gate. I ignore it and see what happens when on the plane. I’ve noticed the crew is good at figuring out how to fill the overhead bins and if it’s truly full, they’ll check your luggage once you’re on the plane.

I haven’t checked luggage in a very long time. I travel light with a small carry-on suitcase (intl standard size). I don’t want to deal with lost luggage or waiting at baggage claim.

Good luck on refusing you're very likely to be escorted from the gate, or the plane and end up on the no fly lists. and I'm not kidding.

 

[ivinsfan]

Way back in time when the overheads started to fill up they would offer to gate check your bags for no additional costs. Do anyone know if this still happens?