Bag fees mean no room in overhead bins

The fees for checked baggage that airlines have imposed in recent months to increase revenue are causing problems for growing numbers of passengers once they get on board their flights. In order to avoid the bag fees, many passengers are stuffing everything they can carry in the overhead bins.

Frequent business flyer Jeff Brown was in the process of boarding his flight on US Airways at the Hartford, Connecticut Airport when flight attendants informed him that the overhead bins were already full. He had just passed the first-class seating area, and at least 20 per cent of the flight’s passengers were still waiting to board the plane.

According to airline officials, flight attendants and many frequent travelers, Brown’s problem is far from unique. “Flight attendants are seeing more bags in the cabin, and we have to work harder to make sure they fit,” noted Candace Kolander, the Association of Flight Attendants’ coordinator of air safety, health and security.

Airlines normally allow two carry-on bags, but with the new bag fees, flight attendants are seeing more passengers bringing bags on rollers on board, and they are not all within the size limits to fit in an overhead bin, added Kolander.

American Airlines has done away with the metal frames used to measure carry-ons, because they aren’t effective, according to a spokesperson for the airline. He went on to say that the airline is considering new design for carry-on size management, which would handle bags of different shapes.

In addition, American and United will be posting staff at security checkpoints to alert passengers who are carrying bags that exceed permitted carry-on size.

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