UA to Enforce Carry On Crackdown. Key Number, 21 inches..

United Airlines is getting tough on passengers with oversized carry-on bags, even sending some of them back to the ticket counter to check their luggage for a fee.
The Chicago-based airline has started a push to better enforce rules restricting the size of carry-on bags — an effort that will include instructing workers at security checkpoint entrances to eyeball passengers for bags that are too big.
In recent weeks, United has rolled out new bag-sizing boxes at most airports and sent an email to frequent fliers, reminding them of the rules. An internal employee newsletter called the program a "renewed focus on carry-on compliance."
The size limits on carry-on bags have been in place for years, but airlines have enforced them inconsistently.
United says it is just ensuring that bags are reviewed at the security checkpoint, in addition to the bag checks already done at gates prior to boarding.
Passengers are typically allowed one carry-on bag to fit in the overhead bin, which can be no larger than 9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches. Fliers can also bring one personal item such as a purse or laptop bag that fits under the seat in front of them.


NOTE: JFK WILL ASK YOU "HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO PAY" to enforce fees.

It was bound to happen. The size, however, might be an issue. An awful lot of carry on sized bags measure slightly bigger than 22 inches so they may get a lot of push back from their frequent fliers. These folks are used to traveling with a certain bag that has always (and still does) fit but will now be told their bag is too big. I definitely wouldn't want to be a gate agent during the next few months.

One way to solve this problem. Issue out some tape measures, those cheap kind that come rolled up. But how many people can't actually read a ruler? You'd be surprised. And there better be METRIC readings on the flip side of the ruler. Sounds like a good name for an album right? "THE FLIP SIDE OF THE RULER". Considering that we are literally the only country that that still uses the ENGLISH unit of measurments, should be all in METRIC since we at least know how to read that simple system. It's the other way around for others to pick up on the British system that would further create confusion. And its tough to measure a bag that reads less when you actually squish it. Carry on luggage is a pain in the butt. We nonrevs have practice dumping our bags on standby plus we are not charged. Most people don't travel as frequent and the one time that they do, they try to pack as much as they can. Personally, I think this charging for luggage and meals have gone to far. They've encoporated these into the tickets and found that by charging more for the ticket and more for the baggage, and meals, they can make alot more money. When is it enough? At what cost of covenience and at what cost to the customer? Then they want to squeeze you in like a sardine. Kind of going backwards with this. Bean counters. I think there is a fine line when you mess with comfort and you mess with saving money. Here is the price of fuel, here is the price of fuel with luggage, here is the price with meals.....now, add it to the ticket and quit tweeking it further.

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Originally Posted by MRSDS1DONNA

It was bound to happen. The size, however, might be an issue. An awful lot of carry on sized bags measure slightly bigger than 22 inches so they may get a lot of push back from their frequent fliers. These folks are used to traveling with a certain bag that has always (and still does) fit but will now be told their bag is too big. I definitely wouldn't want to be a gate agent during the next few months.

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Just because their bags were too big then doesn't mean it was right! They just happened to get away with it before. The reason the oversized bag issue has become an "epidemic" is because GAs didn't enforce it for years.

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Originally Posted by mrs767er

Just because their bags were too big then doesn't mean it was right! They just happened to get away with it before. The reason the oversized bag issue has become an "epidemic" is because GAs didn't enforce it for years.

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I agree but, as someone who deals with the most frequent fliers regularly, I can tell you there will be heck to pay for quite a while until they get used to the new rules.

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Originally Posted by MRSDS1DONNA

I can tell you there will be heck to pay for quite a while until they get used to the new rules.

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Oh this could get ugly.
And I’m talking stuffed shopping cart in “10 items or less express check-out lane“ ugly. :cool:


Squooshing does not apply!

Sounds like DYKWIA? I've seen GA's who can take on any FF. After all, the GAs have the control. Kinda like trying to mess w/a flight captain--"Sir, you're welcome to sit in business class. The purser will come by to collect your credit card for payment." DYKWIAs can move very quickly...

I for one can tell you that other international carriers RIGIDLY enforce their carryon rules. When I had to ZED on Qantas when I was stuck in NRT, my carryon was sized fine, but was "overweight". It was the only bag I had with me, so I was forced to check it.

Thank goodness I had an Australian visa, because I had to enter the country to claim my bag, then proceed to the UA counter so I could go home :(