Check your luggage — or not?
Should you avoid the wait at your destination while accepting the risk of the airline losing or damaging your luggage? Or just lighten the load and hope for the best?
Many travel experts suggest carrying on all baggage versus checking. As a flight attendant, I may seem like the last person to be impartial, but since I am also often a passenger, I see both sides.
As the airlines invent new ways to extract the almighty buck from the passenger, it is apparent that common sense has checked out. This is the case with the new trend of charging passengers a fee for checking in multiple bags. Anyone with a lick of sense will tell you that once airlines charge for a second bag, more and more passengers will start carrying them on board, adding to the sea of already overcrowded storage space. This will mean more hassles at the gate, delays, and those of you who only bring on a small bag will many times have to store it in the cramped space under the seat in front of you.
My only explanation for the lunacy is that the airlines have plans for charging for extra carry-on bags next.
There are good arguments for both sides of the bag controversy.
Pros for checking bags in:
1. You will have a lot less hassle at security and throughout the airport.
2. You don’t have to cram your gels and liquids into three-ounce bottles and you can buy duty free abroad as you can check larger bottles that you can’t carry on board.
3. You don’t have to worry or hustle for overhead bin space once you board the aircraft.
4. You aren’t forced to pack light and wear the same outfit day after day, or purchase clothing abroad.
5. If you have minimal time between connecting flights you are much more mobile if you must run for your next flight.
6. You avoid the evil glare that the flight attendant gives you.
Pros for carrying on:
1. There is no danger of the airline losing or damaging your bags.
2. You don’t have to wait for your bags at the baggage carousel.
3. You can access the contents of your bags at all times.
4. You can use the computer check-in function more freely.
5. You get the flight attendant to give you an evil glare as opposed to the painted-on smile.
There are valid points on both sides, but you have to find a happy medium. Aren’t you disgusted when you’ve decided to adhere to the carry-on restrictions, when lo and behold, here comes Mr. Last Minute with what seems like 13 carry-on bags? You know in your heart when it is right to check-in your bags. Act on that instinct.
Here are some quick carry-on tips:
1. Size matters. Get a roller-board suitcase that fits into the overhead with the wheels or handle first. Many times the ones that have to go in sideways take up too much room and are difficult to find space for.
2. Shut it. Make sure the overhead bin shuts because even though you might have been there first, a protruding bag will be the first one yanked.
3. Try to be a softie. Use a soft exterior bag with some give to it. Many times hard cases just don’t fit regardless of how much you shove.
4. Water works. The liquids and gel ban is still in effect. At security checkpoints, travelers are permitted to carry travel-size toiletries (three ounces or less) that fit comfortably in one quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag
5. Weight it out. The golden carry-on rule is if you bring it on board you need to be able to lift it and store it. Most flight attendants are not covered by their insurance if they injure their backs with your luggage.
6. Close by. Try to use an overhead bin in your immediate area for safety and security reasons. It doesn’t have to be directly overhead, but you should be able to see it from your seat. When opening an overhead bin, always put your hand up, ready to catch anything that might drop out.
7. Give it up. If your bag is selected to be checked at the gate due to space limitations, don’t worry, as it is pretty much guaranteed to be on that flight and will probably be the first one out at baggage claim.
8.It’s not personal. If you have something in your bag that you do not wish the security personnel to see, put it in your checked luggage. Trust me on this one.
9. Lend a hand. Help out those in need, especially mothers. Don’t get too mad at those who abuse the carry-on policy, be amused instead, but be sure to duck and be prepared if they are utilizing the overhead directly above you.
10. Utilize common sense. Recognize when your bag is too big to be considered carry-on and check it in.
Honestly now, how many of you have tried to de-liquefy your bags in order to carry-on everything? You know, change your gel antiperspirant to dry, leave the perfume and cologne at home, and yes, actually use the dreaded hotel shampoo and conditioner? I had an unexpected trip as a passenger and admit that I attempted it. I ended up cutting myself multiple times from shaving with soap and water, forgot certain essential items, and smelled like a putrid almond from the complimentary lotion.
Good luck with whatever you decide. See you on the plane.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Good tips but # 10 should be #1! If more people flying used common sense the absolute hassle flying has become would become at least slightly more pleasant and I assume flight attendants and airline staff in general would be less stressed and, who knows, become friendlier too! The stuff they experience and have to go through with some of today’s flying public on a regular basis would make even the most patient cranky or worse….
Next you leave the liquids at home and if you have a vehicle at your destination try going to a store and get some of their travel toothpaste, shampoo, etc. They usually cost under a dollar and if your stay is long enough there won’t be a lot left over in case you don’t want to take them back with you.
I agree…we need more common sense and common courtesy. Things would be so much easier.
I was flying in coach the other night and as the flight attendant in my section came by to check seat belts for the final descent, I made a point of thanking her. She looked almost shocked.
Being surprised by common courtesy….that’s kinda sad.
I have been in the travel industry a very long time. Before becoming a travel agent, I worked for Pan American World Airways, THE BEST! I learned as a Pan Am employee to never take more luggage than you could comfortably carry yourself. Take only absolutely essential items! Personal services like manicures, hairdressers, etc. are readily available almost everywhere in the world, and at very reasonable rates. If you need an article of clothing you did not pack, what a great excuse to go shopping! Zoom through airports and security. You can be at your hotel while other people are still waiting for their luggage at the airport! Carry on as lite as possible. No tips to baggage handlers. Save that money for shopping! or a great meal! If you buy something abroad that is too bid for the carry on, then pack and ship it yourself! A lot less hassle in customs with just carry on luggage.
Three suggestions:
DHL (My Favorite), FedEx, UPS.
Travel is gritty enough without becoming your own bearer. Sherpas are not readily availabe at most US airports. Move yourself. Let someone else move you baggage. Ship it to your hotel. At commercail hotels, it will be there awaiting your arrival. At 5 star hotels you clothes will be pressed and hanging when you arrive.
Airlines move people. Airfreighters move freight. Move quickly on airliners. Let your freight move the way it should, on freighters.
MB
Even when rules where less strict than they are today, I have always tried to travel as light as possible. My main travels were Milan-London and return on holidays, about 10 days. And yes, I did travel on carry-on when going to London, so that I could be going fairly quickly through all the travelling, and then adopted two ways, as I used to buy lot of stuff while there: either I sent stuff back via mail (small packages, about 3 in 10 days) or I bought an inexpensive bag and checked it in on the return leg. BUT I didn’t put my purchases in the checked-in bag: I put my clothes and everything that wasn’t essential. In my carry-on I only carried documents, money and my purchases. So even if the bag got lost, the loss was minimal, if it was late I didn’t mind because I was home anyway, and waiting at the end of the holiday wasn’t as bad as waiting while going ON holiday.
I know this is no good if you’re travelling for business, it might be a hassle, but it’s still something………………..
Traveling light IS the way to go, but sometimes you are going on an “extended” vacation with the family, that requires sepcialized gear (Ever try to fly with a telescope and assorted astrophotography gear? You suck it up and pay the fees)
The UPS/FedEx/DHL route is the way to go, if you can (all my recent trips to Disney etc are done this way – just my medical/and immediate use needs get carried, plus cameras and laptop (spread among 4 people, that’s not much)
A reminder for those who travel with kids – 1)Carry on something to keep them happy and 2)Remember that they are allowed a carry on too
And yeah – Be polite to the flight crews, gate agents, the skycap, etc. Us NYers have a reputation -I try to ruin it by being nice. The words “Good Morning”, “Please”, Thank You”, “Have a pleasant day” (I use it instead of “nice day”) etc are the “Lubricant of Society”. So called “meaningless” words that mean so much, particularly when said in a tone of voice where the person knows you mean it. Another phrase I find that works wonders “I know it’s not your fault…”. If you’re going to ask a gate agent/flight crew etc a favor, to try and work around a problem, realizing that the delay, etc ISN’T their fault, and they ARE doing what they can (and have probably had XXX annoyed people growl at them that day) can make a difference in how you will be treated
My big lesson in this came years ago – I was due to fly back from Pittsburg to LGA one Sunday. I got to the airport at 7:00amish, and realized “There is a problem – a BIG problem” – just by the sound of the crowd. Got to the main area, and I saw EVERY flight to LGA was canceled (a plane had slid off the runway the day before – LGA was closed)
I waited till I got to the front, presented my wife and my ticket, smiled and said “what are the reroute options – anything to Kennedy?”"No, we don’t fly there, we’re sending folks to Newark, and the next flight with seats is 6:00pm” I looked at her, and siad – “I’ve an idea – anything to macarthur?” Her reply was “we never thought of that! (none of the gate agents remembered that they flew 2-3 flights/day then). We got booked on a flight leaving in 45 minutes – and I was told “don’t tell anyone – we’ll leave it for Nice/smart customers”
I think the major problem is airlines not enforcing the quantity and size limitations of carry-on items. If they would then most flights would have plenty of room for everyone’s carry-ons. They make a big deal out of informing you of the limits but so many passengers seem to not care and even become outraged when their oversized items don’t fit. Why bother having regulations if you’re not going to enforce them? All this does is tell these offenders that no one really cares and they’ll continue with their inconsiderate behavior.
For the above reasons I disagree with lending a hand. Why should anyone risk a back injury lifting a heavy bag for a total stranger – that is just foolish. And, risking be labelled a sexist – the worst offenders of heavy carry-ons are women. (In general, men travel lighter.) If you carry it on you should be able to stow it yourself!