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Carry-on Responses
Kirby's Korner · June 2, 2000

Since my first column about carry-on luggage, the travel industry has been busy on the subject.

Continental Airlines sued United Airlines and the managers of Washington Dulles International Airport over United's use of bag-sizing templates in front of X-ray machines. The templates block carry-on bags that meet Continental's size restrictions but are too large for United's.

Continental says it is on the side of consumers, having invested in in-plane capacity for luggage.

Meanwhile, the Association of Flight Attendants issued a news release outlining various industrial health hazards flight attendants face, including "being struck by heavy carry-on baggage." The release was humorously headlined, "Should Flight Attendants Wear Hard Hats?"

Faithful readers have not been quiet, either. In response to my suggestion of some special treatment for those who travel without luggage in overhead airplane compartments, most everyone who wrote liked the suggestion. Even those who generally travel with multiple carry-ons.

There was the usual mix of crazy responses, along the lines of, "They'll get my carry-ons when they pry them from my cold, dead fingers," but this was the distinct minority. Most people recognized that I wasn't advocating banning overhead luggage, just asking for some positive benefit that might discourage it.

And I've been convinced to change my proposed benefit to the luggageless in one important way: rather than let those without overhead luggage get on the plane last, as I suggested, several people said they should get on first (as well as get off first, of course.) Danielle Wolff and Cristhian Thompson both pointed out that nothing now stops a passenger from waiting until the plane is nearly filled before climbing on board.

Actually, the original draft of my column had a first on/first off proposal. I changed my mind at the last minute. But between Wolff's and Thompson's advice and an experience last week accidentally being among the first on a plane, I've come to realize how comfortable boarding can be if you're first. So first on/first off is now the goal!

Tino D'Amico, Dmitry Altshuller, and Keith Sawatsky all noted the reason we have problems with carry-ons: Airlines are terrible at handling checked luggage. It takes too long to get checked luggage at the carousel, and industry statistics peg the amount of lost luggage at about an item per flight. Airlines "could solve the whole problem if they only tried to understand its source," Altshuller said.

Sawatsky said he uses carry-ons but liked my suggestions anyway. "Your solutions are both logical and reasonable; therefore, I expect that the airlines as a whole will not adopt any of them at any time soon."

Alexis Driscoll wants to go farther than my modest suggestions: "increase the ticket price and then offer 'discounts' to people who restrict their carry-on baggage (in effect charging to carry on)." What's another addition to the rate structure among friends?

Regina Berens is among the more typical correspondents, however -- tired of the current situation and willing to entertain my suggestion. "Your idea could lengthen exit times a little . . . but I'd love to see airlines try it and see what happens. They may even find more passengers willing to check bags."

My favorite comments came in an unsigned note from an America Online user. "I have always thought that it would make sense to let those without overhead baggage get off first," this person said.

The reader fell into the "first on" camp I've since joined and noted that my reasons for a "last on" approach -- "Time for one last sip of decent coffee, one last hug from a honey, or one last chapter in that novel being read" -- could be answered largely on board. I could read while waiting for others to board, and airlines might even serve the unluggaged a quick drink before opening the floodgates.

"You wouldn't be able to get the last hug from your honey if you boarded first," she (he?) said, "but, hey, if I were on your flight I'd give you a hug just for addressing one of my pet peeves."

It's a date.

Now that we've straightened out the airline industry, let me know some of your pet peeves in the online travel world. Have you sworn off your real-world agent yet? Are the learning and buying experiences as smooth as they could be? I can be reached at david@ticked.com.

We'll reconvene next week.

David Kirby is the editor of Interactive Travel Report. His column appears on Friday. You can reach him at david@ticked.com.