NoleNomad

With the charges the airlines are now assessing for checked bags, it stands to reason more people will try to use carry-on luggage. While this has some benefits, it also creates a more stressful situation with passengers struggling to find overhead bin space... which may end up several rows behind where they are seated (creating its own set of problems at de-planing).

With the expectation that bin capacity will often be exceeded, do you know anyone who has already been forced to check in a carry-on bag that otherwise would have fit into the bin? Is there a charge for this? Even without a charge, it seems a sure bet for generating a lot of anger, for lots of reasons. Friendly skies, indeed.

Weekender

Here is what I have seen happen more often recently. For example, American boards from rear to front. Passengers seated in the back are stowing their carryons in bins way ahead of their assigned seats leaving little or no room for passengers seated in the forward part of the cabin and who are boarding last.

Having status with airlines has become a huge advantage now with boarding in Group No 1.

dwebb

Not sure if this will help, but here is another problem that may crop up.

My daughter just recently tried to board with carry on luggage. Even though it passed the weight and height requirements, she was unable to put it in the overhead bins. She said the reason it couldn't fit was because of the wheels. She was flying United. I'm not sure if their overhead bins are smaller than most. They had to take it off the flight at the last minute, but it was at the gate when she landed in Phoenix. Go figure.

yorkshire

The airlines really need to start strictly enforcing these rules--including not letting people put their bags in the front. Or why have the rules? This was already a problem before the checked bag fees.
I usually travel with carry-on, and I follow the size requirements, so I would be annoyed if my bag was required to be checked and I was charged. I am sure this is happening.
When buying a bag, take care to measure it yourself and not just read the manufacturer specs. These often do not include the wheels and handles, as I discovered when recently purchasing a 19" rollaboard. The bag itself is 19" (the max size for a flight I often take), but the handle and wheels extend a bit. It is one of those flights where they stow the bags plane side, so luckily it did not matter.
Your safest bet if you're worried is always a soft-sided bag that can squeeze.

slangevar

I would be surprised if they charged the $15 fee for a legal carry-on that doesn't fit because the storage has been used up.

Plus, from what I understand, the $15 fees are being charged at the sky caps and bag check-in area... I'm not sure they could even handle the transaction once you're boarding the plane.

Don't worry about it. Even if it did happen to you, I'm sure you could dispute the charge once you land.

janisj

If you are talking about AA and UA -- they are charging for domestic - not international. So European flights are not impacted. And no, if you need to gate check a legal carry-on because of full bins, they do not charge . . . . .