Miss Manners

Has Bull not gotten his alfafa this morning?

Cow

I think there's something else that Bull didn't get today.

harvey

You must agree BULL does have a point. Does Paul really think that folks should stuff their small carry-ons under their feet in order that he have room for his garment bag and suitcase? Sorry, but it ain't happenin'. Go find somewhere else to stuff your large bags - like the cargo hold.

Leone

Personally, I believe "Herself" offered a wonderful idea for keeping your sanity while flying. So, lets not attack her. Think about what she's recommending. Lets face it, things just are never going to run smoothy on board. Space is a mega mess that no one will solve, and of course, the airline is always working against giving more room. If you do not personally take charge of your emotional wellbeing, you are in for suffering at every opportunity. If you go to the airport keyed up to find problems to get pissed about, you will get pissed. If you cannot zone, then try this: 30 minutes before take-off, try one or two dramanines, and then a 1 mg. Ativan (one-half if it's a short flight). On board, have a drink. And relax and enjoy the flight. Hey, it works every time. Ciao.

stuff

I agree with Harvey. I have a good idea where these space hogs can stuff their bags, and it ain't the luggage hold.

L

Wow, so angry. Stow that in your hold.

No Overhead

TO: Leone...no one was "attacking," but merely staying in the real world. BTW, unless you're a physician (which I doubt from your referencing an "old" drug), please keep advice on self-medicating to yourself! It's unwise for non-medical personnel to "prescribe" drugs!

What's wrong with having a pet peeve, i.e., cramming large suitcases? I'm not advocating "air rage," but I think we're entitled to our opinion, just as you are...however, please don't go around recommended prescriptions -- leave that to the healthcare profession!

L

No Overhead - You're correct about your entitlement to a pet peeve .. so long as you leave it on the ground. When people get upset before they fly (do you find air terminals to be stressful? Personally, I find seeing all the people very interesting), they may act out on board, and we are seeing a lot of air rage (the group I'm with researches road rage, and believe me, people don't leave it in their cars). Next time you're sitting at the gate and worrying about the overhead space, perhaps a bit of self-monitoring might be in order. Are you enjoying yourself? Are you emotionally ready to board and be patient, tolerant and courteous? Are you happy? Getting hung up on ativan is hardly the issue. I suggest keeping oneself rational on an airplane IS the issue. You may debate it all you wish, as long as you then go the next step, and deal with your anger. Until you do, I wouldn't wish to sit next to you or anyone like you. Lets perhaps get to the day when having a Pet Peeve is getting pissed at the neighbor's cat.

herself

Dear overhead,
I do live in the real world. I just don't see where getting angry over things you can not control is healthy. I love watching people in airports. They are a cross section of the world.
But I do hate sitting next to someone who is bitching about everything.
Let the s*#t go, life is too short.

Doc

I can attest to the fact the rudest people on board are Type A Business Flyers with zero patience and big egos. Paul and his cronies are a heart attack in the making!

Professional Violinist

I would like to point out that, as a professional violinist, I am carrying an instrument worth some $10K. There is NO WAY I will check my instrument in the baggage hold. My violin is a delicate instrument which is succeptible to temperature changes, and as we all know, luggage compartments are not temperature controlled. And before you start saying "why don't I drive," well, I may be taking an audition which is scheduled on only one day, and have to get in and out of town in 24 hours so I can make my next concert.

That said -- I do believe in being courteous, and when travelling with violin, I do everything I can to minimize disruptions. No, I do not carry a garment bag as well -- I stow my violin in the overhead compartment (yes, it always fits) and my purse under the seat. I know my fellow musicians feel the same way. Believe me, we're not trying to be space hogs . . . we have extremely valuable instruments that we're trying to protect.

BTW, musicians with large instruments (cellos, basses, etc.) wind up purchasing another ticket so their instrument has its own seat.

I simply ask you that if you happeen to be boarding a plane and witnessing someone stowing a violin, or an oboe, or a trumpet, etc. -- please be more understanding. Thank you!

X

I do see your point about checking in a
expensive piece of equipment such as your instrument. Lets face it travelers I do know some people do not like to check in there baggage because of the people who handle are luggage are careless. Myself and otheres I know who check in there luggage find lotions or perfume bottles open. I do put my lotions in a plastic bag in case of these accidents but they do happan. Even twice, the bottom part of my luggage was broken due to the baggage handlers. They just TOSS our luggage on the plane like it's a basketball. Maybe that's why people like to bring there luggage on the plane instead of checking it in. Maybe people are afraid of theft, and have valuables they take and prefer to keep there luggage with them. I guess this is where the baggage insurance comes in?? I do agree that travelers should be allowed only 1 carry-on on the plane. It bothers me when people stuff there bags in the compartments.
Just a thought!!

Paul

I think I should point out that I am far from a businessman. The only cronies I have are clergyman. I thought this was a forum for opinions about a travel subject and I just wanted to share mine. And I almost always check my bags. But that doesn't mean that other people have to.

Lori

I need to travel with a decent sized carry-on bag, since we always travel with a nebulizer for the kids' asthma. I guess I'm alone in that I follow the directions that the airlines give as far as how much is allowed on board. My bag always fits under the seat. Isn't that what the airlines generally allow? One carry-on with set dimentions? If so many people are ignoring the rules it's because they've been allowed to get away with it for so long that they've disregarded them.

I hate to say this, but I can imagine a site with travel tips where people actually recommend that you stow your gear in the overhead on your way back to your seat and then when it's time to deplane you simply stroll up the aisle and claim your stuff on the way out. Although it sounds downright rude and convenient for everyone else on the plane, for the person who practices that it sounds just peachy.

Are there any solutions? How about each seat on board having a storage area above the seats that only they can access? Something you can swipe your ticket through to open. If your stuff doesn't fit, you check it. First class would probably have larger storage areas which they'd pay for when they purchase their seat.

Lilly

Oh I agree. The airlines need to be more aware in checking the carry-on bags allowed on the plane. Maybe if the airlines had some type of code or key issued at the time of boarding for compartment use, this would eliminate other passengers using the incorrect overhead. Each passenger should "only" be using the overhead by there assigned seat. I can't stand it when I arrive to my seat and the overhead is already full and my bags can't fit in there?
How rude! There should be more stricter rules for this requirement.
Lilly

Jim

Lots of stuff = lots of headaches.

Personally, I no longer check anything. After twice having a suitcase arrive one or two days after I did, checking no longer made sense. That having been said, I also manage to stay within the airline limits for carry-on luggage. I just pare down my kit to what I really need, and it all fits into a small duffle bag for the overhead and a fanny pack for under the seat. I've traveled for two weeks on what I can fit into these bags. Frankly, traveling became easier and even more fun when I started taking less with me from home.

And I agree with Herself. Learning to tune out is key for airtravel. I'm always moere annoyed with the complainers than I am with the big-baggers. OOoooouuummmhhhh.

xxx

Fat people and smelly ethnic types. Both should be banned. Screaming kids too!

xxx

One good thing i've noticed flying on airlines recently, especially on international flights but also domestic, is that attendants are actually enforcing the baggage size limitations. In my past few trips, i've seen a giant pile of luggage adjacent to the entryway of the plane waiting to be moved to baggage. I can't believe the size and shape of some of the bags that people try to get on the plane.

tmn

You know, as a frequent flier (over 100K in airmiles per year)I find it interesting that those that complain the most and get the most upset are those that do not fly often - but rookies who somewhere else in the world have an opnion that means something to someone. There is a very easy solution to your gripes - don't wait to get on the plane - get on asap and you will usually have room for your storage - i see soooo many people who wait to board the plane than start acting ridiculous when "their" overhead compartment is full....people need to relax

Britt

My pet peeve- people are getting on a plane, and some dude takes 45 seconds to get his crap in the overhead, blocking the aisle and stopping all the people trying to get by. Step into the fricking aisle, and I gaurantee there will be a break in the line where you can do your business.