Cracking Down on Carry-Onsby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 20 Jun 2008 11:09 AM Weeks ago when American Airlines announced it would be charging passengers $15 to check in their first piece of luggage (and $25 for the second bag) every travel analyst in the country echoed the same comment: Beware of an impending crack down on carry ons. Sure enough a few days ago American Airlines announced it will be clamping down on the size of carry-ons (and you can bet other carriers will follow suit in a timely manner). American is the first airline to issue a statement regarding carry-ons. According to an American spokesperson, the airline usually adds extra staff during the hectic summer months to ensure passengers are following current carry-on rules. But now some of those "high-season" employees are being given the task of monitoring individual carry-on bag checkpoints. The airline spokesperson claims the checkpoints are set up to give passengers a chance to rearrange the contents of their carry-ons (translation: eliminate some items) before the flight departs. That way they won't have their bags taken at the gate or on the airplane. Take note: According to American Airlines, if your carry-on ends up having to be gate-checked because it exceeds the posted limits you will be charged. However, if your carry-on complies with the size rules and there is simply no room for it in an overhead bin then you will not be assessed a check-in fee. So don't be surprised if tape measures and become standard issue accessories for flight attendants. To make sure your bag adheres to the posted limit you can visit your airline's website, which lists acceptable dimensions and weight limits on carry-ons. Currently, every airline's carry-on policy states that passengers are allowed to board with one personal item, (such as a purse or a laptop bag) and one bag that can be no larger than 45 linear inches (a number that is calculated when you add the height, width and depth of the bag) and cannot exceed 40 pounds. While American Airlines cracks down on the size of carry-ons, Alaska Airlines announced this week that it has no plans to impose fees for a first checked bag (though beginning July 1st, the airline is joining most other airlines in imposing a $25 fee for a second checked bag) but it says it will put "a few things in place to better monitor carry-ons." Some of those "things" include "more customer-friendly baggage sizers," and in select cities the airline will have employees at security checkpoints "keeping an eye out for people with extra large bags" and giving travelers the "opportunity" to go back to the ticket counter and pay for it." Are the new luggage fees making you reassess your packing plans for your next flight? Related Articles: New Airline Fees--Keeping it Straight More Bad News for Cash Strapped Flyers Say Good Bye to Free Pretzels and Peanuts No Such Thing As A Free Ride... Or Free Pretzels Travel Insanity---Airline Charges for One Checked Bag Airline Luggage Wars--Can It Get Any Worse? More Luggage Restrictions... Are You Ready For This? Can We Find A Way To Eliminate Liquid Restrictions On Airplanes? Hotels Help The Liquid-less Traveler The New and "Improved" Carry On Rules Airlines Lift Bans on Lighters and Breast Milk Travel Alert-What You Can't Pack In Your Carry-On How To Avoid Nasty Looks At Airport Security Screening Areas Can We Find A Way To Eliminate Liquid Restrictions On Airplanes? The Benefits Of Advance Technology Airport X-Ray Machines A New Option For Those Traveling With Banned Liquids Grandma Puts Baby Through Airport X-Ray Machine The Secret Code That Gets You Screened Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags air travel, airline fees, baggage, carry-on, luggage Discuss this article
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