Travel Alert: New Airline Carry-On Restrictions

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

16 Jun 2006 08:37 AM

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. I was just hoping that it would be a bit later than... now. I'm talking about the airlines tightening requirements on carry-on luggage. As a mother who routinely flies with a toddler in tow, I can tell you that any change to rules governing carry-on luggage is not good news.

I cringed when I heard that Air Canada just issued a strict weight limit on passenger's carry-on bags. The company's reason for the move: "it's an effort to lighten each plane's load" as the carrier struggles against rising fuel costs. The policy change restricts passengers from carrying on more than two bags each and the total weight of the bags cannot exceed 50 pounds. I don't fly Air Canada, but my concern is now it is only a matter of time before all the major airlines adopt the same policy.

So what might that mean for Patty the Passenger? Even longer lines in the terminal as airports require passengers to not only make it through security, but also make an additional stop at newly installed carry-on luggage scales? Or, perhaps it will mean a travel dress code for passengers-pants and jackets with more pocket room (large enough to stuff the excessive "weight" into)--so bags don't exceed the 50-pound rule? Don't get me wrong, my husband is a pilot and subsequently, I have spent many a night listening to the litany of negative effects the skyrocketing price of fuel is having on the entire aviation industry. So, yes, I understand that measures need to taken. However, I'm one of those moms who finds it hard to pare down the contents of my carry-on. Currently, my rationale is this: if it feels lighter than the child and toys I am balancing with the arm I am not using to carry the carry-on, then I'm okay.

Jokes aside, I must admit, Air Canada's new carry-on restriction seem a bit more reasonable than their past attempts at lightening each plane's load, which have included "dumping empty wine bottles in the middle of a round trip" to one high profile experiment where the airline "stripped paint off the fuselage of one plane." So, how hard will it be for you to keep your carry-on bags in check?

Related Articles:

· The Great Carry-On Debate

· Carry-On Envy

· Turning Your Suitcase Into A Stroller

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.

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