Murray On Travel

Welcome to the new space race! The race for overhead bin space on your next flight. And the eyes of airline employees with be focused on you.

Since luggage has become a new profit center, an estimated $350 million for American, many airlines, passengers need to pay much more attention to their carry-on luggage. Airlines are starting to enforce limits on carry-on baggage and many fliers are being caught up in the mess.

In order to not delay the passenger boarding processes be ready to have your carry-on bags size closely monitored. American and United airlines have announced they will be adding workers at entrances to security lanes to stop passengers who are carrying more than one small bag that can fit in an overhead bin and one "personal item". Plans are also underway to install templates or slots in front of TSA x-ray machines that will not allow you luggage to pass if it is over sized.

Also be ready to have your carry-on taken from you at the planes loading door. As more and more passengers try to take on bags, your flights overhead bins may fill-up before you entry the aircraft. When this happens you will be forced to give up one of your two items for storage below. If this happens to you ask your bag be returned to you at your destinations gate not at the luggage carousel, known as "gate-to-gate" handling.

I suspect the new luggage fees will first result in a torrent of voice announcements as we move through airports reminding us of the new enforcement. I also think that if most people are like me they will be highly motivated to arrive at the airport early to get a early boarding pass.

I also am starting to think this is about reducing the amount of luggage on each plane.  Airlines may be thinking that adding these hassles to the already existing hoops we have to jump through when flying may reduce the weight of the luggage they are transporting.  Maybe over-weight people will soon be hit with an additional fee.

Check your airlines website for their current luggage restrictions.