The carry on

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lowlysubaruguy

Contributor
Messages
171
Reaction score
60
Location
The Gorge
# of dives
100 - 199
I read the post below about carry ons. It reminded me of my recent flights.

Im wrapping up the last leg of three trips almost back to back.

Ive been forced to check my regulator bag on more than half the flights. One or two of the flights they allowed me to carry them on but only after we had the discussion about the value of my camera and regulators for 3 to 5 divers. But a couple of the flights Ill mention the name Delta were flat pricks about it.

My real issue lies with the fact that my regulator bag is under the size limit by a fair margin i bought it specifically for this. I carry regs computers and cameras for 3 to 5 people. Usually 2 to 3. It pisses me off to fight with the people at the terminal about it and then I get on the plane and find half the bins are stuffed with bags bigger than my check bag which contains my entire dive set up and clothes for a week. And then theres still half a dozen almost empty overhead bins available. You force me to check very expensive gear thats under sized by a fair margin but let 100 people carry on full on luggage and its also not my fault youve overbooked the flight.

Most airlines have not been a problem. Delta will be last on my list of airlines to choose in the future if I have an option. Every one of there flights have been an issue. My final leg is Southwest which allows two checked bags Ill be interested to see how those two flights play out im hoping that two free checked bags will ease some of the space in the carry on bins?

If the airlines are watching start by enforcing the size limits on carry ons first before making those of use with legal sized bags check our luggage. Id be a lot less pissed off if half the overhead bins were not filled with oversized bags.
 
i feel your pain. I gave up on taking anything carry on about a year ago. It's basically going to be a fight with everyone going forward. I basically bit the bullet and bough a pelican that is the exact max dimensions of 62 inches and my gear inside weights exactly 49.8 LBS. I STILL have arguments with checkin staff ref their opinion that it is 'over-sized' ...it isn't over sized.. it's built to be EXACTLY the size and I'm pretty sure it isn't the only one you have ever seen, so why are we even having this debate, i then put it into the automated deposit machine as they mutter 'it isn't going to be accepted' and then they just roll their eyes and walk off without a word when it is accepted...

I expect it wont be long before i'm not allowed to wear my BCD on the plane either... point is, i think we really are reaching the point where the carryon is a thing of the past..
 
I so agree... Just flown Chuuk to Manila via Guam on UA. Do wish the airline ground staff would look at and stop people from taking on oversized bags as carry on. First flight a good ten overhead bins were locked closed. Other bins late comers with big (so big I'm sure they were oversized) bags taking out bags already in the bins and leaving them to be kicked around the cabin. My carry on bag I flew with it between my legs/ under the seat in front. Second flight the airline staff were rejecting some, not all the BIG carry ons and adding them to the hold luggage at the aircraft door.

And as for hold luggage - having had my bag hand searched and marked as such before I flew on arrival in Chuuk I found my bag had been opened by TSA and left open - what is wrong with them??? (I've complained but had a throughly stupid answer - basically saying not interested.)
 
Yes, people who put their oversized bags everywhere are “a**eh**s” considering divers who pack their minimum gear in a very organised fashion still need all the room they can get. I have a pelican too, but the thing is people can still just take the box, instead of trying to open it in the airport.

I’ve noticed that they’ve started weighing carry ones if they look heavy too.
My advice: wear clothes with loads of pockets and space to put things in.
 
Ive been forced to check my regulator bag on more than half the flights. One or two of the flights they allowed me to carry them on but only after we had the discussion about the value of my camera and regulators for 3 to 5 divers. B

Mr. Subaru,

Is it me, or is airline travel getting harder and harder?

Concerning you original post, could you clarify a little? I'm slightly confused. Do you mean that 1) when you checked your luggage at the ticket counter, they saw your carry-on and try to force you to check it also, or 2) you got onto the plane and there was no room for your carry-on in the overhead, and the stewardess took it below as checked luggage?

If #1 above, I'm very surprised. I fly 6-8 times a year and I never noticed the ticket counter people eyeball my carry-on. Have some airlines started assessing them? If so, it sounds like they are making a 'judgement call' rather than measuring and weighing them. Does your bag stand out from others in some way that draws their attention?

Can you change your strategy, instead of putting everyone's cameras/regs/computers in one special carry-on, have each person carry their gear separately in their own normal carry-on?

If #2 I have a couple pieces of advice:
  1. join the frequent flyer programs and get a CREDIT CARD with the airlines. If you buy the ticket with their credit card, you usually get put into an earlier boarding group.
  2. Check in online as soon as possible, 23hr and 59min before the flight. This can move you into an earlier boarding group.

If I had a special bag for carry-on gear, I'd probably make a card with the exact dimensions of the bag. When they claim it won't fit, you can ask "what are the approved dimensions of a carry on" and then pull out the card. Or maybe even have a little pocket tape measure. Or a picture of the bag in the little 'test box' they usually have nearby.

I kinda miss Alaska Airlines al-a-cart system for carry-on with small planes. I always thought that was a good compromise.
 
@Ministryofgiraffes Interested in what Pelican you bought please.

Pelican Air 1615 it fits my full nauticam setup. I ziptie and padlock it after it passes the weight test at checkin. I have the foam interior. When i bought it i put an old wineglass in each of the compartments, closed and locked it and then threw it down the fire escape stairs. None of the glasses broke.
 
@lowlysubaruguy Does your reg bag look out of the ordinary for a carry-on? Can you post a pic? I'm just asking because I fly Delta all the time and I've never had them look twice at my carry-on bags. I have the larger (but still within spec) US sized (not international) carry-on. The only times I have an issue is flying some of their smaller connector planes with the really small overheads. In those instances they gate check my carry-on for free. I would like to see what they are balking at so I can be sure to avoid it in the future. Thanks. :)
 
Most recent flights have been with Philippine Air and Westjet. Have never had a problem with either. My wife and I each carry on a medium size packsack, a regulator bag that holds one set plus computers and spares and a very small shoulder bag. Regs and shoulder bag go under the seat and packsack in the overhead bin.
 
After living in Switzerland for 2 years, 2014-6, I learned my lesson regarding carry on luggage. European carriers take it very seriously and have bag sizers at all the gates. So, I made sure we had carry ons that met the requirements. Back in the US, I make sure I meet the same requirements. I take my valuable scuba gear in carry on, Only once in the last 3 years have I been asked if my carry on met specs. I put it in the sizer, with room to spare, and there was not another word about this. The US carriers do not have a weight limit, international carriers may. I would suggest researching your carriers requirements, and comply. The path of least resistance. I simply do not understand this thread. If you meet the requirements, you go, if not, maybe not.
 
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