Why does this post sound really familiar - did you post it here recently under a different screen name or am I confused?

I'm not sure I understand how you were so dreadfully inconvenienced. If they gate checked your bag it would have been waiting for you on the jetway as you deplaned.

Happens all the time and it's not a big deal.

What's the problem? You sound like a whiner.

Obviously not there - so don;t know exactly what happened.

And gate checking luggage is no big deal - if the plane is full and you know it's happening. But to remove a passenger's luggage without telling them is a complete no-no. How long would they have been looking for it at the end of the flight - perhaps thinking another traveler had moved it?

IMHO in this kind of situation you should just stand firm and take names. Then if it becomes a problem you know who to complain about - to the airline - which will do a lot more good than mentioning it here.

(All airlines create minor problems - and a report like this isn't going to change anybody's travel plans.)

The point is that you don't move someone else's bag just to make room for yours. It's a good thing you saw her moving it or you definitely would have been in a panic upon landing! Why not put the pilot's bag in the same place she was taking yours? Unfortunately, there's probably nothing you can do....except don't fly US Airways. I always fly Delta and have had a few "not so friendly" flight attendants but mostly very pleasant people who were willing to help make you comfortable.

The stewardess "was walking to the front of the plane with it when I realized it was our luggage and objected. We would not even have known where our luggage was when we landed."

I am a consumer who does not like being mistreated. Do you work for the airlines? It is well known that the airlines review messages tht relate to consumer harassment!

My reply was directed to:
J62,and "Marginal."

"The point is that you don't move someone else's bag just to make room for yours"

I've done this several times . . When I get to my seat and some jackass has filled my overhead area and then gone to his seat in the rear, I remove it, hand it to the Stew and aske her to gate check it.
She thinks it's mine and takes it.

I use a carryon that almost fits under the seat in front of me. It fits well enough that I've never been told to move it.

Overhead bin space can be scarce so I try not to rely on it, but I would also be pi**ed if someone moved my bag for an employee's. Especially if my bag was there first.

"When I get to my seat and some jackass has filled my overhead area and then gone to his seat in the rear, I remove it, hand it to the Stew and aske her to gate check it.
She thinks it's mine and takes it."

And how is it that you know it was someone who is sitting in the rear of the plane rather than someone who is sitting in the row in front or the row behind you?

While I don't like it when people sitting in the rear of the plane fill the bins in the front either, I'm sure the "stew" would not appreciate being put in the middle of your power play.

Geez, I hate flying these days.

"They seem to allow their crew to use up the overhead space, and do not care that passengers are inconvenienced"

farrihy1, this sounds like pure insinuation. How do you know this is what you perceive it to be?

"And how is it that you know it was someone who is sitting in the rear of the plane rather than someone who is sitting in the row in front or the row behind you?
"

. . I ask . . . and if there is no one in front or behind, that;' a pretty good indication of what happened . .

"I'm sure the "stew" would not appreciate being put in the middle of your power play.

They seem to now exactly what is going on . . and have yet to fail to grin and take it.

First: If the pilot really said that to you, and the steward really moved your luggage for no apparent reason, and nothing has been embellished here, then you could make a complaint. Of course, then the steward, who only moved the bag to get the sexually harrassing jerk of a pilot off her case may get fired, and her child will be saying bye bye Mama when she has her breakdown. But do what you gotta do.

Second: If when my feeble grandmother boards the plane and asks some nice man to help her with her bag, proceeds to her seat at the back of the plane.....can she sue Rich for diress, when she has heart palpitations thinking her bag was stolen for a good few minutes. Can the passengers behind her sue Rich for the delay getting off the plane as Nana panics and they miss their connecting flight?

Carry-on baggage might have medication in it, or something very important. Nobody has a right to move it without your permission, except to re-arrange luggage in the same compartment.

Overhead compartments aren't assigned to anyone in any particular row, in fact some compartments are full of oxygen equipment etc.

I wouldn't be surprised if airlines start charging $5 to use the overhead compartments....everyone else has to stow underfoot.

"can she sue Rich for diress, when she has heart palpitations thinking her bag was stolen for a good few minutes. Can the passengers behind her sue Rich for the delay getting off the plane as Nana panics and they miss their connecting flight?"

Rich is long gone from the plane by the time granny hits the floor . .

"When I get to my seat and some jackass has filled my overhead area and then gone to his seat in the rear, I remove it, hand it to the Stew and aske her to gate check it.
She thinks it's mine and takes it."

What a great idea. I'm going to use that next time!

I think we are getting a feel for who the jackasses are that put their luggage in the bins up front, then go to their seats at the back . . .

They can charge for the overhead bin and make the toilets coin operated while they're at it all.

I can imagine if you had medication in that bag that you needed to take during the flight you could have been up the creek without a paddle until the bag was located.

The deadhead's bag should have been moved.

Typical crap US Airways service.

Being an Ex airline Flight Attendant, I just wanted to make the point that we don't have all the info in the story. The Deadheading pilot could possibly doing a flight at the destination and needed to make a quick connection , so that another full plane load of folks wasn't delayed... think about everyone else that the airlines handle... It's not an easy job!! You have tight deadlines to meet, say hello and goodbye to over a thousand people in one day, not to mention the jet lag The FA's experience by flying across the country in one day and then getting minimum crew rest and do it again the next day. Not trying to make excuses for the crew, but I've been in those shoes and most people don't have a clue of how physically demanding the job actually is.

Also PS the "overhead bin" space over your seat is not designated to those seats so the FA has every right to move your bag to wherever he/she sees fit. It's about safety first and we don't know the whole story. I do agree though that she should have told you she was moving the bag first.

Used to like America West and before the merger hadn't heard anything good about Useless Airways.
However don't want to jump to conclusions but do wonder how many of their employees are getting disgruntled having to bear the brunt of the passenger discontent.
With the cutbacks in personnel and rising prices plus now charging for checkin bags and WATER.
The flight crews are hearing all of it I'm not saying that makes any of what happened ok just that maybe part of the problem.

"She was walking to the front of the plane with it when I realized it was our luggage and objected."

And then what happened? Did she put it back or put it in some other overhead bin? Was it gate checked? Was she originally planning on gate checking it or just putting it in a different overhead bin?

Was it in the bin above your seat initially or somewhere else? If it was right above your row, how was she able to remove it without you noticing? Was this an item that could've fit under your seat in the event it had to be gate checked?

I like the full story before assigning motives and pointing fingers.

One of the repercussions of the arilines' decision to nickel and dime us to death is that we, the flying public, are going to get a LOT touchier on a number of subjects.

The pilot should have stowed his bag under the seat in front of him.

Sounds like the FA actually found room for that carry-on without have to check it. If the FA had gate checked it then OP would have received a luggage claim check ticket.

Since OP said that they "would not have known where our luggage was" that must mean they didn't get a luggage claim check.

I travel with just one carry-on, so gate checking would be a big deal. Except that when I got my newest carry-on I traveled home with two pieces. Both got gate-checked (my fault, I was late and lucky the door hadn't closed). Both pieces spent three nights in Guatemala. One had my laptop which, in the hurry, I forgot to remove.

Yes, airlines gate-check luggage all the time. That also lose luggage all the time. Doesn't matter to me if I was already trusting them to handle two bags, I would resist giving them an opportunity to lose a third - especially the one that I am carrying on that has stuff that I dont want them to lose!

These stupid posts always make me laugh.

Firstly, it is Flight Attendent not sterwardess.

Secondly, how do you know the deadheading pilot didn't have a life and death matter at the other end of the flight?

Thirdly, how often do you fly? If you fly at all you'd know gate checking is as quick as stowing the bag over your head.

Please continue to fly Delta. I'm sure they'd love to have you fly with them.

And people wonder why flight crews are so cranky.

Gatechecking shouldn't be allowed, especially gatechecking someone ELSE'S bag. What if the person is switching airlines or terminals at the connecting city? They have to go through security again and they get asked that question "has anyone else touched your bags?" "Yes, it was gatechecked so 3 or 4 or 8 people might have handled it in the last few hours".

The bag is waiting for them when they exit the plane . . it ain't a big deal.

If someone like Rich asked the flight attendant to gate check MY bag, and I found out, I'd raise holy hell. And if one of those bags does hold medication for the person whose bag got checked without them knowing it, and something bad happens to that person, I'm hoping Rich is found out and named in the wrongful death lawsuit along with the airline.

Oh, and I have no problem with gate checking whatsoever, as long as A)the person whose bag is checked knows it and B) the bag wasn't already in the overhead bin (front, center or rear).

From the original post, we don't even know that the flight attendant did "gate checked" the bag. She may have just been moving it to a overhead bin towards the front of the plane where there was more room.

And I don't understand "just keeps charging us" complaint. Nothing in the scenario of moving the bag had anything to do with money.

"if one of those bags does hold medication"

No one other than a complete idiot would put a bag with medicine upo front then sit in the rear where they could not keep an eye on it . .

gail <Why does this post sound really familiar>

This is why:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1&tid=35145520

If you want to be sure to keep your carry-on bag with you, take one small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. No one will mess with that.

Yes, but I hate putting anything under that seat. Being a bit tall, I need that space for my feet.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is "deadheading" outside of traveling in a VW bus to see a band?

deadheading refers to an employee of an airline traveling for free in available space, often to get back to his/her base city after being on-duty flying to another city.

The BOTTOM LINE for this shouldhave been YOU, getting up, going right up to the "pilot" and GETTING his name.

You put that name into a letter WITH the offensive remark..and believe me, telling someone they can "rent their own plane" would be seen as embarrassing in any airline corporate headquarters.

As to wherher or not anyone here has bigger bags, smaller bags, etc., etc., it is irrelevant IMO

thanks CFC! Good to know he wasn't going to "spark up" before flying the plane! That's what I was picturing anyway...

You should have taken names then complained in writing to the airline directly.

I don't think there is a rule against the flight crew moving a suitcase in the bin, but the off-duty pilot's comment is way out of line.

Oh yeah, DEMANDING the pilot's name would have worked out well. In these days, airlines love it when you get agreesive and demanding, particulalry towards employees. It often results in free travel....travel off the plane in cuffs........

I didn't say "demand".

Flight attendance have name tags. With her name and the flight number, day, time, etc. you could have written a letter.

Just saying, there's really nothing you're going to get by complaining here on a travel forum. If you are hoping for compensation, apology, whatever... you need to be talking to the airline in question.

<<When I get to my seat and some jackass has filled my overhead area and then gone to his seat in the rear, I remove it, hand it to the Stew and aske her to gate check it.
She thinks it's mine and takes it."

That is one of the most obnoxious things I've read in here in a while.

You are not assigned an overhead bin.

I agree that it's annoying when people don't put their things closer to their assigned seat, but that in no way gives anyone the right to move someone else's belongings OFF the plane.

I can't believe anyone would even admit to doing that.

It dfoes not go off the plane . .any more than mine would have if it had been gate checked.

Seems to be a lot of folks who do not fly much and when they do, put their carryons up front when they are assigned seats in the rear.

Hell . . I don't just admit to doing it . . I am quite proud of doing it!!

The next time the jackass will think twice about doing it too!

Yea. It's also always a good idea to key a nice car that has been parked in two spaces. That'll teach the jackass, right? Two wrongs always make a right.

Ridiculous comparison . .

One of the reasons there are so many Jackasses around is that no one ever teaches them the consequences of their behavior. We shrug our shoulders and say . . “my o my, . . gracious me . . . . that Jackass should not have done that” . . so the Jackass keeps doing the things that make him/her a Jackass. One or two “teaching incidents” and the Jackass quits acting like one.

Can anyone give a legitimate reason for someone putting the luggage in the bin up front and continue to their seats in the rear, ??? Is it fair that the person assigned the seat under that bin should have to gate check their bag???

Rich - can't you just put your bag somewhere else like the rest of us do?

Again, I agree it's wrong to put your bag in the front and then go sit in the back (and I would never want my bag that far away from me), but what you're doing is wrong, too.

What if the person whose bag you moved was in the bathroom? Or was helping family members assigned to a different area on the plane?

You are assuming people will change their ways by doing what you do, and I don't think that's an accurate assumption, either.

You obviously aren't going to change what you're doing and some of us obviously think what you're doing is wrong.

The only thing ridiculous is Rich calling other people (who offend his sense of right and wrong) jackasses, when if he'd just look in the mirror....

"One of the reasons there are so many Jackasses around is that no one ever teaches them the consequences of their behavior."

True. Makes me wonder if you'll stop gate-checking others' bags after someone has a little air rage incident on you. Seriously, with all the crazy people we read about do you think it's really a smart idea to do this?

I repeat . . Can anyone give a legitimate reason for someone putting the luggage in the bin up front and continue to their seats in the rear, ??? Is it fair that the person assigned the seat under that bin should have to gate check their bag???

I thinks Karens just gave some very good examples of why it might appear that the bag you are looking at is not connected to the people sitting there at the moment:

-person is in the restroom,
-owner is helping someone get seated in another area,
-owner is in the galley getting water to take anti anxiety medication (that's me!)
- owner has on noise canceling headphones, has nose in a good book, and is ignoring the world, hoping to fall asleep fast (me again)
- owner is handicapped or a minor traveling alone; the FA put the bag in first available bin.


Just put your bag in the next bin, or get in line and enter the plane sooner!

Is it fair? No. Is it fair for you to gate check someone else's bag for them? No.

I'd love to hear the conversation between you and the guy sitting next to you whose bag you gate checked while he was in the bathroom. Would be pretty interesting if he needed his laptop to get some big work project done but you (in your infinite wisdom) decided it should be gate checked to make room for your stuff.

By the way, I think you're making this all up anyway.
"I remove it, hand it to the Stew and aske her to gate check it.
She thinks it's mine and takes it."
Then less than an hour later you say: "They seem to now exactly what is going on . . and have yet to fail to grin and take it."

Which is it: the FA thinks it's yours or the FA knows that it isn't?

"Which is it: the FA thinks it's yours or the FA knows that it isn't? "

Who knows . . she takes it . .

What is amazing is that Rich is proud of this. Not even embarrassed.

Anyway, he already answered his own question... perhaps they are "folks who do not fly much".

You know the type, get all confused about what seat is A, B, C, etc. count the rows as they walk down them, are confused and flustered about boarding in general.

"Ridiculous comparison . .

One of the reasons there are so many Jackasses around is that no one ever teaches them the consequences of their behavior. We shrug our shoulders and say . . “my o my, . . gracious me . . . . that Jackass should not have done that” . . so the Jackass keeps doing the things that make him/her a Jackass. One or two “teaching incidents” and the Jackass quits acting like one.

Can anyone give a legitimate reason for someone putting the luggage in the bin up front and continue to their seats in the rear, ??? Is it fair that the person assigned the seat under that bin should have to gate check their bag???"
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Replace "putting the luggage in the bin up front" with "parking his car in two spaces". Go ahead. Explain why this is a ridiculous comparison. They are very much alike. Both involve people doing something without regard to others, and both involve someone taking it upon himself to retaliate. I don't think it's a ridiculous comparison at all.

Rich has been given good reasons why his behavior falls into the category of totally self-centered rudeness.

Whether he chooses to continue acting that way will be his call. Now, though, knows what his behavior looks like to normal people.

"Explain why this is a ridiculous comparison. "

If I cause some Jackasses bag to be gate checked, no harm is done . . . he gets it when he leaves the plane.

If I scratch the paint on some Jackesses car, significant harm is done . he has to have it repainted, thereby contributing to the air pollution with the paint solvets.

Now . . would I park my old pickup so close that he cant get out . . you bet I would!!!

wow and you call other people "jackass"... amazing

I didn't expect you to understand. Thanks for not disappointing. You are an admirable soul!!!

What is it that I am not understanding? . .

Who the real jackass is.

One act does zero harm . . the other does harm to the car and the environment . .

Wow . . I had not idea how many folks do this . . amazing!!!

"If I cause some Jackasses bag to be gate checked, no harm is done "

How do you know this? You're making assumptions that whatever is in the carry-on is not important and not needed during flight. Not to mention the assumption that the owner is sitting far away from the bag. Are you so dense you can't see how you could possibly be wrong? Or just so arrogant and self-centered that you believe you are more important than everyone else?

Who would leave a bag out of their sight that was important to them????

Do you mean to tell me you take your carry-on into the airplane's tiny bathroom? Or that you never take your eyes off of it, even when it's in the overhead bin above your seat?

Stop playing dumb and just admit you're the jackass in this situation.

For those who have trouble reading lets repeat . .

I walk on the plane . . early in my group ( plane loads by row numbers for those who do not fly but are outraged at my actions )

I arrive at my row, . . row is empty . . row in front is empty and row behind is empty . . the group in front has the isles plugged so no one has gone the the potty.

Two large caryons in the bin above my row . .

Scenario two . . which has happend a few times . . I load my caryons and sit . . two Jackasses come down the isle, stop across from me and proceed to put their two large carryons in the bin and go to the rear of the plane . .

Granny comes along and asks for help with her carryon . . no space in the overhead, so I take out one of the bags, set it on the floor and put hers in the bin over her seat.

Stew comes along and asks whose luggage it is . . I say, "Some jackass who went to the back"

Stew picks up the luggage and does something with it . . perhaps gate checks it.

Who was hurt???

You do realize that the bin above your seat is NOT assigned to you. When you purchase a airline ticket it is for a seat NOT a assigned overhead bin. JACKASS!!!

Ah Ha . . we have identified another person who puts his luggage up front and then t=goes to the rear!!!

jiffer, please try to realize that God is on vacation and he has put Rich in charge of running the world in his absence.

What a lame comment . . surely you can do better than that???

How does the person who's bag you gate check get a claim ticket to claim there bag if they dont even know there bag is missing until the end of flight. How about that person knock outyour teeth and use that as a claim ticket.

Also in response to the orginal post the way I see it if someone takes your bag without notifying you that is STEALING. PLAIN and SIMPLE!

. . . I know . . "Don't call me Shirley" . . .

"How about that person knock outyour teeth and use that as a claim ticket. "

That's going to happen some day to Rich. Too bad he's such an idiot jackass he won't even see it coming. I only hope I get to watch.

. . "How does the person who's bag you gate check get a claim ticket to claim there bag if they dont even know there bag is missing until the end of flight. How about that person knock outyour teeth and use that as a claim ticket."

Shees . . the bag is waiting for them when they go out the door!! have you never flown???

How "Dangererous" can it be if the FA's do it all the time????

Is ther any logic out there at all???

No I am not a person to put my bag in a overhead bin that is not close to my seat. I usually put it under the seat in front of me. You are just a rude person.

I think the old saying "what goes around comes around and you will get yours someday" applies here.

Two large caryons in the bin above my row ...

One word....tough. The bin doesn't belong to you, period. Too damn bad if someone you don't think should be using "your bin" feels otherwise.

. . "I think the old saying "what goes around comes around and you will get yours someday" applies here. "

Isn't that what happens when I cause the Jackasses bag to be taken???

What am I missing here . . it happens every flight!!

How are you teaching him a lesson when he did nothing wrong. You are not assign to that bin.

Yes FA do gate check bags all the time but they have the right to do so if they notify the person that they are taking the bag to be checked.

If you take someone else's bag and have the FA check it you are essentially stealing that persons bag and giving it to someone else. So if something happens to that bag you would be responsible in a court of law.

. . "You are not assign to that bin" . .

neither is the Jackass . . so what law did I break???

. . "Yes FA do gate check bags all the time but they have the right to do so if they notify the person that they are taking the bag to be checked." . .

Did you even read the first post in this trhead . . did you read any of them???

First of all, gate checking is not the same as putting something in the overhead. i learned this the hard way when we 'gate checked' our umbrella stroller on our flight back from bermuda this summer and it wasn't waiting for us when we got off the plane. not only did we spend 15 minutes waiting for the stroller, waiting for the crew to figure out what happened, etc.... we ended up having to walk a very long way with a toddler through logan airport while carrying our carryons.

Secondly, when we travel, I put any important meds and the like on our carry on. i would be incensed if the FA took my carryon and did anything with it without checking with me first. i don't blame you for being upset. and being tall, like patrick said, i don't relish storing that bag in under the seat in front of me, since my knees are usually crunched as it is.

I believe the 15 minutes of fame for this posting has passed. Can't we all just get along?

At the risk of extending this charming discourse ...

A few months ago, I was in the front of a United flight (purchased Economy Plus), and got on among the last. The overheads were full. I was forced to "gate check" my bag. However, in this case, the flight attendant told me there is no gate checking on flights to O'Hare (never heard that before), and my carry-on, with my meds and everything else I'd planned to have with me was put in the regular luggage hold. It then took 45 minutes after arrival for me to get my bag at regular baggage claim.

So, yeah, in a case like that, what would normally be an acceptable "gate check" turned to be unacceptable.

In a case like that, if my bag had been moved without my consent, I would have been taking names.

"How about that person knock outyour teeth and use that as a claim ticket."

If Rich dares to even touch my carry-on bag, I can guarantee that his broken teeth will be the least of his worries

"How about that person knock out your teeth and use that as a claim ticket"

First Rich would have to grow a pair and stick around to let the person know what happened.

It's funny how the story changeds... in the second telling, now Rich's just helping a Granny to put her carryon in it's rightful place, before sending the stranger's (i.e. jackass') bag off with the flight attendant.

suze:

I guess things get complicated for you, . . I have done something like this 4 -5 times in the 30 years of flying around the world . . those were two of the most recent, but the one that was the most fun was in Indonesia . . you would really wig out if I shared that one.

BJsinNOLA

If you cherish you luggage enough to risk a richter scale whooping . . why would you park it up front then proceed to the rear where you cannot see anyone touching or doing anything else to it? . . Does that make any sense at all??

I would never strike a woman ( even jackass women ) so my 16 yr old granddaughter would have to take you on . . but it would be over quickly.

vjpblovesitaly:

I did have one of the jackasses come up once looking for his bag . . I told him where it was and why . . looked lost and said “huh” . . went back to his seat.

This will be my last post on this thread. . . ya’ll can rant all you want, but I’ll do it again the next time a Jackass strikes . .

What exactly is "gate checking"? Why does the attendant take your bag and where does he/she put it? Do they have a big closet in their teensy area where they put things that won't fit in the overhead bin?

Vicki

FAs tell boarding passengers all the time to find the first available overhead space for their bags. It is not at all unusual (though not preferable) to park your bag somewhere forward of your actual seat...especially on the airlines who load window-center-aisle.

Interesting thread...

Rich... I have to assume you do know that overhead bins are not assigned like seats, but instead open to all. So who's the "jackass" here??
Please explain the difference in what you say you have done to someone boarding late, seeing all the bins are full..grabbing yours and handing it to the flight attendant to gate check or whatever?

the overhead bins should be assigned like seats are problem solved

>>Author: vickib2 (vickib2@aol.com)
Date: 08/12/2008, 09:52 pm

What exactly is "gate checking"?

I have no idea and would like to know too!

The attendant will take your bag and give it to the ground crew from the same door they take strollers, etc.

When you are deboarding it will be just outside the door of the plane. Probably easier than trying to handle it from overhead and down the isle.

Just to clarify to those who asked, gate checking isn't an option for the general masses. It's usually saved for strollers, car seats, or carryons that the attendants can't get to fit in the main cabin (FAs usually TELL the passenger that they need to gate check it.)

<<suze: I guess things get complicated for you,>>

OK now that is just plain childish Rich. You brag about acting like an *sshole, then you start name calling when people point that out to you?

Thank you for that explanation, Beachgirl and emcash.

I understand the OP's concern over their carry on's whereaboots, but the "Moreover, she did it quietly, trying not to let us see what she was doing," statement led me to believe they'd watched way too many episodes of The Twilight Zone.