Post: #1

https://www.wired.com/2016/12/united-won...-bin-space

DO YOU LOVE getting onto an airplane? Because, let’s be honest, nobody is their best self when trying to muscle an overstuffed rolling bag down a narrow aisle and then up into an overhead bin that’s exactly, precisely, slightly too small for it. Well, you don’t have to worry about that anymore! Because starting in 2017, United Airlines is taking away your right to put a bag in the overhead altogether.

OK, not exactly. It’s a new ticket option that, as United representatives will rush to say, will only apply to customers who purchase a new, bare-bones fare. Check out the fun: It costs less than today’s baseline economy, you don’t get access to an overhead bin, and you don’t get a seat assignment until the day you take off. In a spin worthy of a Heisman trophy, the airline calls this option “Basic Economy.” We would also accept “Crap in Your Lap,” or “No Feet Under Your Seat.”

You’re enraged. We get it. So just swear off United, right? Fly American, or Delta, or any other airline instead. (Or cough up the actual money for the amenities you want.) Oh, and avoid Spirit, if you don’t already: The budget carrier started charging $30 for overhead space in 2010.

Problem is, now that United has made itself the first major airline to violate the sanctity of the overhead bin, its competitors will probably follow. It’s like, once you give up the middle armrest, you’re not getting it back. “It is most likely that American and Delta will look at the reaction, and, if it’s not too bad, they will do the same,” says George Hobica, founder and editor of Airfarewatchdog. “One gets away with something and they all pile on.”

It’s happened before. In 2008, American Airlines announced it would charge $15 for a traveler’s first checked bag. Weeks later, United and US Air (which has since merged with American) mimicked the move. Now, checked bag fees are entrenched—and generated $3.8 billion for American carriers in 2015.

Post: #2

That's pretty silly, since hardly anyone travels with what is in their pockets.

I'm assuming that this still allow for one free personal item, like a small laptop bag.

Post: #3

I only fly Southwest, fuck paying to check bags.

Post: #4

You get flagged for extra security on many flights if you don't check a bag or carry very much with you. If I'm traveling for less than a week and its summer time I tend to go with just a backpack and I get questioned at the gate about half the time because my boarding pass does not have one of those stupid stamps on it.

I hate flying, the rows are packed so tight that my knees are wedged up against the chair in front of me. Being treated like cattle anywhere is infuriating.

Post: #5

Wizz Air, the Eastern European version of Ryanair, has had a similar policy for years. You only get a small carry-on, small enough to fit enough under the seat for free. A large carry-on is $10 extra.

However, they don't enforce that you actually have to place it under the seat, as long as there's room. I travel with only small carry-on on most of my Wizz flights and always place it in the overhead compartment.

Post: #6

I think this is a questionable move by United in all. But to be fair, it's probably the easiest implementable method for mitigating the systemic crisis of the no-vacancy overhead space for passengers who board the plane later on in the boarding process. What will be interesting to see is how this is policed and implemented by the gate agents at the airport.

I've been on many flights recently where I was asked to gate-check my carry-on luggage due to overhead storage being full by the time I board the plane. It's a bit annoying to have to do that because it just adds time to the whole process now having to wait on the back end for luggage to pop out on the carousel.

I'm sure it does get expensive for the airline having to pay someone to gate check and later manage these gate-checked carry-on items though. They had to address that somehow.

In my opinion though, what they should do is just limit what you are allowed to put in the overhead bin, i.e. no jackets, hats, etc. And have reasonable weight/size restrictions for carry-on that is policed at some point before the security checkpoint at the airport. You could bill it as a passenger "safety" measure.

A lot of Aussie airlines do this and it actually makes sense to me - there are carry-on weight limits per person. That gives everyone a fair shot at getting overhead space - and that right is included in the base fare price.

That way you weed out the people who tend to game the system by bringing a on oversized wheeled suitcase that only fits in overhead turned sideways, a laptop bag, puffy jacket, and bag of airport souvenirs which all requires overhead space...

Post: #7

(12-08-2016 11:51 AM)Pornopung Wrote:  Wizz Air, the Eastern European version of Ryanair, has had a similar policy for years. You only get a small carry-on, small enough to fit enough under the seat for free. A large carry-on is $10 extra.

However, they don't enforce that you actually have to place it under the seat, as long as there's room. I travel with only small carry-on on most of my Wizz flights and always place it in the overhead compartment.

My experience with Wizz Air and Ryanair has been the same.

Another way to get another bag on board these airlines is to have that bag look or be an airport shopping bag. I inadvertently have done that a few times since I was using an H&M bag to carry some food, in addition to my backpack.

Post: #8

Though I fly rarely I've noticed that Australian domestic flights are not usually too bad for this sort of thing. Only once have I had to cross the aisle to get space in an overhead locker and on one other occasion I had to put a bag beneath my seat.

That's it.

note: The easiest way of dealing with this is probably just to make the entrance dimensions of the xray scanners smaller, and tell people with larger bags that they'll have to be inspected manually or checked in with the rest of the large luggage. Most people will thereafter err on the side of caution, and there will be few complaints on the ground because not many people want to get into it with the security guys these days.

Post: #9

It's like a race to the bottom. I can't understand why American and Delta don't just sit back and let United solidify their position as the "Spirit" of the majors. Airlines are like cable companies and will do anything for that last nickel.

Post: #10

Southwest and Jetblue don't charge for checked bags.

Post: #11

I'm switching teams. Last week, I flew to and from Hong Kong on a one day visa run and on both flights, by the time I boarded, all the overhead storage was crammed full of everyone else's shopping bags, massive purses and other junk.

I was very glad to be travelling with nothing more than a small computer case, because otherwise there would have been no where for my carry-on to go.

I think airlines should lower ticket prices and start charging outrageous fees for overhead luggage space and fat people in order to compensate.

Post: #12

Im with you Suits. I hate having to wait to get on and off the plane because everyone has five bags in their damn hands. I actually timed it on my last flight and from the time the first passenger left the plane until the time I was able to leave was almost 10 minutes. All because the 80 people in front of me had to grab multiple items from the overhead spaces.

Post: #13

Everybody wants to get into the act ...

http://www.businessinsider.com/american-...ban-2017-1

American Airlines is banning carry-on bags and overhead bin use for basic-economy passengers

Flying American Airlines just got a bit more affordable.

On Wednesday, the world's largest airline released details of its upcoming low-cost basic-economy fare class.

"American Airlines now has something to offer every customer, from those who want simple, low-price travel to those who want an ultra-premium experience via first class," American Airlines President Robert Isom said in a statement.

According to Isom, the new fare class is designed to put American in a better position to compete against the increasing presence of ultra-low-cost carriers.

Unfortunately, buying the cheapest ticket also means you'll have to do without many of the amenities that have traditionally been considered obligatory in modern air travel.

At the top of that list is carry-on luggage. Basic-economy passengers are allowed to bring a personal item on board as long as it fits underneath the seat. However, any luggage that requires overhead bin space has been banned.

It's a policy that echoes United Airlines' basic-economy fare class, which was announced in November.

Post: #14

A couple years ago I started shipping my luggage UPS or Fedex when I fly domestic if it's anything more than an overnight or weekend. Yes it's more expensive but I like just not having to hassle with luggage AT ALL. No loading it in the car, then at the airport and again at the destination.... It's worth it to me

Post: #15

I think it is a good thing (European perspective), many cheap flights are full of cheap people who stuff their entire bag in the overhead bin causing not leaving any space for normal carry-on bags there.

Post: #16

I am reminded of two stories from one of my friend's that use to be a travel agent and stories that had made the rounds of the industry.

1: One time a person tried to bring a steamer trunk into the cabin as part of his carry on and put it into the overhead bin. As you can imagine, there was no way that was happening.

2: Another time a person tried to bring a medium to large size aquarium, complete with water and a few fish, into the cabin and put it into the overhead bin. Again, there was no way that was happening either.

Post: #17

(12-15-2016 12:04 AM)AlphaRN Wrote:  Im with you Suits. I hate having to wait to get on and off the plane because everyone has five bags in their damn hands. I actually timed it on my last flight and from the time the first passenger left the plane until the time I was able to leave was almost 10 minutes. All because the 80 people in front of me had to grab multiple items from the overhead spaces.

God forbid that they take the bags down the second they open the door. I rarely use the overhead bin. I've also never had lost luggage in my 23 years of flying. People need to check their damn bags.

Post: #18

Fuck luggage.

Flying for work for five years and wintering southeast asia for three years, with only carry-on is still too much hassle.

Next winter I already decided to travel without checked or carry-on luggage.

Bank, credit card, preloaded card is all you need.

If your traveling on a tight budget- stay home.

Post: #19

(01-24-2017 05:11 AM)Swell Wrote:  Fuck luggage.

Flying for work for five years and wintering southeast asia for three years, with only carry-on is still too much hassle.

Next winter I already decided to travel without checked or carry-on luggage.

Bank, credit card, preloaded card is all you need.

If your traveling on a tight budget- stay home.

Cause rolling a carry on is much more inconvenient then buying new clothes each time you land.

Besides if you have any sort of elite status this is a win if they do lower their fares.

Post: #20

(01-24-2017 05:23 AM)Putin Closes Wrote:  

(01-24-2017 05:11 AM)Swell Wrote:  Fuck luggage.

Flying for work for five years and wintering southeast asia for three years, with only carry-on is still too much hassle.

Next winter I already decided to travel without checked or carry-on luggage.

Bank, credit card, preloaded card is all you need.

If your traveling on a tight budget- stay home.

Cause rolling a carry on is much more inconvenient then buying new clothes each time you land.

Besides if you have any sort of elite status this is a win if they do lower their fares.

Yes, "rolling a carry-on" is inconvenient and is also a Oxymoron.

(01-24-2017 05:23 AM)Putin Closes Wrote:  Besides if you have any sort of elite status this is a win if they do lower their fares.

Elite Status?.. anyways Putin Closes good luck with your loyalty cards, petrol points and coupon clipping.

Post: #21

(01-25-2017 02:52 AM)Swell Wrote:  Elite Status?.. anyways Putin Closes good luck with your loyalty cards, petrol points and coupon clipping.

Having elite status and taking advantage of the significant perks is now equivalent to "coupon clipping" ?





And yeah I'd imagine buying a completely new wardrobe every time you travel is no big deal if you wear this-

Post: #22

Hahaha.

That will be me in 30 years - gold watch, bag of pineapple, sandals with the straps and a lil'siam slut that can suck.

I'll be real.

My case Thailand.
Bangkok is all Malls & Markets.
Elephant Island has shops on every beach.

I hate laundry more than luggage..
You wake up, get some thing to eat, hit the gym, go to beach, swim, walk, sweat, talk to chicks, dance, drink, Fuck. Boom! Filthy fucking clothes on the floor for two or three days, later they get washed but the clothes are Fucked.
A t-shirt is 4 to 8 dollar. It Is nothing.
You want to "suit up" 100 dollar custom made in 24 hours.

Everyone's world is different but this is mine.

If you're punching a coffee card for the free one. Maybe it time for a career change.

Worst thing I hear is bro traveling with protein powder.- Go boil some eggs.

Post: #23

(01-25-2017 05:13 AM)Swell Wrote:  If you're punching a coffee card for the free one. Maybe it time for a career change.

If you equal Frequent Flyer programs, where the upside is the ability to travel in premium classes om some of the best carriers in the world, with coffee cards - then you've obviously not come into much contact with these programs. I recommend you read through GlobalEntry's thread on loyality programs.

Post: #24

Completely agree that you've obviously never experienced any sort of FF status if you think its the equivalent of a free coffee. Free flights, free business class upgrades, business class lounge access.. all for the effort of spending 5 minutes creating an account is one of the best deals around.

Also, what kind of horrible clothes are you wearing that you're happy to just buy them from the first store you see in a developing country?

Post: #25

We are not going to see eye to eye.

Enjoy your travels. Life is what is make it.