Excess Baggage On-board: should they pay for it?
March 24th 2008 21:59
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I consider myself a good traveller, and I follow the rules. If the airline say they only accept standard cabin baggage on-board, I make sure my carry ons don't ever go over the size nor the 7kg weight allowance.
However, I continuously have to battle for baggage space with passengers who bring along bags that seem to be double the size or two bags of the standard size taking up everyone else's room.
I'd understand young parents with toddlers will need a lot more baggage space to bring along the bottles, the nappies and everything else for the little one (hence the debate some people have started about Babies on Planes) but there seem to be more people travelling solo that simply ignore the rules knowing that they won't be refused boarding.
I personally think if there is no reason someone would need to bring more than the standard carry-on load, they should be charged an 'excess carry-on' fee. It has nothing to do with how much the plane can take, but more to do with respect for the fellow travellers who each have their allocated baggage storage on the planes.
What do you think?
However, I continuously have to battle for baggage space with passengers who bring along bags that seem to be double the size or two bags of the standard size taking up everyone else's room.
I'd understand young parents with toddlers will need a lot more baggage space to bring along the bottles, the nappies and everything else for the little one (hence the debate some people have started about Babies on Planes) but there seem to be more people travelling solo that simply ignore the rules knowing that they won't be refused boarding.
I personally think if there is no reason someone would need to bring more than the standard carry-on load, they should be charged an 'excess carry-on' fee. It has nothing to do with how much the plane can take, but more to do with respect for the fellow travellers who each have their allocated baggage storage on the planes.
What do you think?
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Comment by Aimzster
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Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Lilla
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..charge them excess 'carry-on' fees... who do they think they are, taking up all the bloomin space in the overheads - making you rumage forever to find your paltry little tiddly-bag of 'necessities.'
Lilla ...
Comment by Jill Browne
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And while we're at it, I recently joined the Facebook group "Don't Recline in Coach". It is my philosophy of civil aviation now. The next person to stick their chairback in my face may get bitten. Grrrrrrr.
Yes, I have sympathy for the tall and I'm willing to make reasonable exceptions, but for everyone else... sit there and improve your posture. We'll both benefit.
(rant ends)
Comment by AmyHuang
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Thank you all for your thoughts!
Comment by Eva W.
Life in Germany
I admit I am one of those annoying individuals who always travels with excess carry-on baggage (I think my all-time record is 5 pieces).
And yes, I always get away with it.
For all those who despise the likes of me, please consider one important point:
There is a big difference between just going away for a one-week holiday and going away for a few months. As I usually go away for a few months, I need much more stuff than people who are just going on a short trip.
The last time I flew, my suitcase was 4kg overweight and I had 3 pieces of carry-on luggage. The check-in man didn't comment though. No fines either, of course. Ahh... another good trip!
Comment by AmyHuang
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Learn to pack light
Comment by camel
And until they start charging PEOPLE (yes people) for THEIR weight, then I don't feel bad for it. Why should someone who weighs 120kg be allowed to pay the same price for their ticket as someone who weighs less than half that?
Comment by camel
So I can't bring an extra 10kg in my suitcase, but I can bring an extra 10kg of lard on my buttocks? Hmm...
In the end it's all adding to the fuel consumption and cost of flying to ALL passengers.
I'm sorry but this is a passionate issue for me and infuriates me.
Comment by camel
What's more annoying.. a person with a 6kg suitcase who (like Lilla said) takes their time putting their back up the top, fumbling around for ages (while a big queue is behind them) then does the same thing upon landing, or someone with a 10kg backpack who goes down the aisle, puts the back underneath the seat in front, sits down, puts seat belt on, doesn't disturb anyone..
At the end of the day, flying (esp. in economy) is a pain in the butt for all involved and noone is going to be happy with every single arrangement and if you're not happy then you should pay more to fly business or first class. That's my take on it anyway.
Comment by AmyHuang
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Comment by Eva W.
Life in Germany
They somehow figured out that 7kg is the maximum safe weight to fall on a person's head from that height.
As for check-in luggage, yeah, lighter people SO should be allowed more! I only weigh 51kg myself!! (Then again, maybe that's exactly why I have always got away with my overweight luggage on previous trips.
Comment by camel
Comment by AmyHuang
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