Alan

Rumor has it that airlines will soon become very strict when it comes to carry-on luggage, and I say good for them! <BR> <BR> I am sick and tired of sitting in my seat and having my flight delayed while Grandma Betty or Businessman Joe hold everyone up by trying desperately searching every bin to find enough room to carry their huge bag. <BR> <BR> I know airline employees and I know that they allow people to break the rules because they are sick and tired of being fought and screamed at every turn. <BR> <BR> Now that security are having to search so many bags it's going to be a nice day when only a small bag or handbag is allowed on. I'm sick of being delayed leaving and boarding planes due to people who simply can't part with their clothing for 4 hours! <BR> <BR> <BR>

Santa

I think we should all be allowed to carry a clear plastic bag about the size of a largish purse, in which we can carry magazines, medications, a ham sandwich, a toothbrush, and socks.

agreer

I agree with you Alan. I too am sick of people holding up the line cuz they are putting their bags up. Its not going to kill them to wait at the baggage claim for their luggage.

Chris

And how long should someone wait at the carousel for their bags -- days? If your bags were GUARANTEED to be there at the same time you were, I'd check them. But to be in a place for DAYS without a change of clothes (or at least underwear, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.) is unacceptable. And the airline doesn't pay until you've been without luggage for a certain time frame. <BR> <BR>Solve the vanishing luggage problem and you'll solve a large portion of the carry-on problem. <BR> <BR>

xxx

Hey Chris..please tell me when your next flight is so I can whap you in the head while going down the aisle with my obligatory carryons. And of course I won't say I'm sorry.

Tom

Used to read flyertalk.com, but now that site is mainly just a bunch of complainers. Now fodors.com seems to be going down the tubes also. Whatever happened to useful travel tips or relavent answers?

Stephanie P.

To Everyone: <BR> <BR>I enjoy carrying on a bag. I don't want to ever think of a time when they loose luggage and I'm stuck at an airport w/no change of clothes, toileteries, etc. I'm OK with the security guards going through my luggage. May I remind everyone that this is the airline section of Fodors. Obviously this pertains to air travel. We are not talking world politics but what plans are in the making about security and if you'll be able to carry anything on board - DUH!

xman

I think Santa's suggestion is a very good one. People that work at retail stores have to do it for theft security. People you don't need to pack the kitchen sink to enjoy your trip. Plan ahead. Also if you get there in time and check your luggage properly there is less of a chance it will get lost. Just remember one thing when making comments like Chris. Isn't a little inconvenience worth your life?

Monique

Sounds like it's time to invest in one of those really nifty fishermen vests with all the pockets. You could still get your undies, toothbrush, meds, glasses and a ham sandwich on. And think of the fashion statement you would make. <BR>Seriously I hope they make some exceptions or stock the planes with some coloring books and so forth. I have been waiting to take my kids on a nice trip until I was reasonably sure that they could behave themselves during flight. But I was counting on being able to bring a carry on with some goodies and quiet toys to entertain them while we passed the time. I guess we won't be traveling anytime soon. I wouldn't want to subject already stressed out passengers to 3 board stiff kids for a 6 hour flight.

Eva

There has got to be a happy medium, hasn't there? There is a difference between bringing the kitchen sink and carrying on fragile and/or valuable items (cameras, laptops) and the stuff you can't live without were your luggage lost or delayed (medication, a change of underwear). It's usually those who resort to excess who ruin it for the prudent ones...

Sue

<BR>Honestly, would you rather wait an extra 10 minutes or be w/o luggage. Can't believe anyone would choose the latter. I would definietly love to check luggage but it's happened to me so many times that I can't any longer. The next time you fly, note the time every one is sitted and you will see that in most cases, you WILL NOT leave. The plane leaves at a certain time even if everyone is sitted. More flights are delayed due to reasons other than people put away luggage.

Joe

From the Pan Am web site. "For the safety and comfort of yourself and your fellow passengers, Pan Am passengers will be required to check all bags. This includes briefcases and laptop computers. Carry-on items will be limited to wallets, purses, and diaper bags, for those traveling with infants." <BR> <BR>For more information go to the following links: https://www.buypanam.com/terms.phtml

Fredonia

I agree with Chris. As a business traveler, I've had my bags go missing twice, so I carry-on whenever possible. Just did 4 days in New Orleans, carried all on, no search, no problems. Of course there were few fliers. Could get ugly when normal travel resumes. Took 15 min from curb to gate out of Newark.

JJJJJ

just got back from Munich & Nice. There was no problem with my or my husbands carry-on luggage. We had normal size carry ons, and were careful to put all sharp objects (nail clippers, pocket knife, etc in checked bags) You can still take books, pencils, food, cloths and cameras, just don't be stupid and carry scissors or metal objects. I wasn't thinking when we went through lyon airport, and I had a peppermill in my carryon, they saw the long metal center in the x-ray, I had to take it out and get it checked by hand. They were very nice about it and I was allowed to take it, of course, but you do have to think about what you put in your luggage more carefully than before. By the way there were guards with machine guns and german shepherds in lyon airport too.

xman

Thank God they are limiting carry ons. I am sick and tired of the people that abuse the system with over sized carry ons. Now the spoiled inconsiderate people will have to follow the rules like everyone else. Poor babys.

xwoman

Hey Xman? I agree completely with you but you know what? Now we are going to hear all the whiners crying about lost bags and their "stuff" is way too important to check in!

Judith

Must admit I have never LOST any luggage on my frequent flights and have only one occasion when it was DELAYED. There is a difference, folks. Carry with you, medication, a change of underware and a toothbrush and even if your luggage trails you by a day as mine did on a trip to Ireland, you WILL survive. Even though I was definitely not best-dressed at our first dinner that night, a shower, clean underware and a light-hearted explaination made me socially acceptable and my "delayed" luggage joined me the next day. Really believe that many of the travelers who abuse the carry-on system (ie 2 or even 3 oversized bags that they must have with them) are simply not willing to wait the extra 20 or so minutes for their checked bags to arrive. Allowing a few extra minutes for your bags to arrive is well worth safe travel. Nobody is too busy to take that time and no schedule too full to allow for it.

xxxxx

Bottom line here is that I would rather wait for, or lose my luggage than not arrive to my destination. To those that are whining about their bags, think about that. Is your comfort more important than the safety of yourself and others?

CarryOnForMe

So what happens if you have a business trip or a wedding over the course of three days where you absolutely NEED a specific article of clothing. Are you supposed to pack it up and check it with the airline and gamble that it'll show up? I guess your best friend probably won't mind if you walk down the aisle and take wedding pictures in your sweatpants and sneakers. I'm sure you're company won't mind you giving your presentation at the conference in a pair of jeans and t-shirt either. <BR> <BR>Airlines should allow one reasonable sized carry-on bag, sufficiently large to carry at least two full days of necessities.

xxxxx

Hey, Carry On For Me. Who's gonna care what you are wearing if you don't make it there.