TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Airlines changing carry on rules

http://www.aol.com/article/finance/2016/...n-bag/21606550/
I think this is a good thing as long as they enforce it. To many abuse the carry on sizing and quantity they carry on. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

First they charge you for checking a bag. Now they won't let you carry-on as much -- unless, of course, you pay more for the privilege. Next thing you know they are going to charge you extra for everything you have in your pockets!

On our recent trip, I saw bags that were larger than the max size that the airlines mandate for carry on, and not just one bag but multiple bags. I had my wife buy a new carry on as they adjusted down the size limits a while ago, as it would not fit in the new verifier. Her previous bag was inside the limits, but not since they changed them.

As I understand it from watching the news, United is adding a class of service called Basic Economy, which will limit carry-ons to one 'personal' item which will fit under the seat, ie, no bags for overhead compartments. For more details see: United Airlines Basic Economy.

I do not think it affects the regular Economy or Economy Plus carry-ons.

Spirit has been charging for carry on for years, not a bad idea

Maybe airlines should provide free beverages, but charge for the restrooms. Since it's all about padding their pockets.

Interesting -a lot more to this news story than just carry-on, points, seat assignments...also

Then maybe folks would choose not to use the restrooms and then they would have a mess to clean up! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

We were taking a circuitous route to Barbados one time due to some cancelled flights, and it was a riot getting on a plane without overhead bins. I had people I didn't know placing things under my seat because it wasn't 100% full. The flight attendant comes in and looks under everyone's seat and starts asking your name, if your name wasn't on the item, she started taking it off the plane. The "owner" was claiming it then, but then it had to go under their own seat. I found it humorous, but it took forever to get off the ground because people had to claim "their own" luggage under their seats.

Really, to make it quicker, they should charge for what luggage people bring on board, give the checked luggage much cheaper rates to make it quicker boarding.

I agree that people abuse the carry on size. I'm an aisle seat guy and I regularly get battered by oversized carry ons. I have no problem with the allowable size ones.

And I have seen people stuff their bag in the overhead in first class and walk to the back of the plane.
Sucks when they do that!
irina

LAst weekend I was flying Delta ( full flight). The gate attendant asked clients to gate check their carryons . Most were oversized closed to normal suitcase size. But they got checked to the destination for free. I paid $25 to check my suitcase. I guess I will start gate checking my suitcase,

Wendell

This is what happens when the greed of the airline and the lack of willingness of passengers to follow existing rules or the airline enforcing the rules.

I've long thought overhead carryons should have a fee and the 1st checked bag under 30lbs should be free. this would speed up boarding and deplaning. they would still make plenty on fees as most people want to take more than 30lbs with them.

If the airlines would actually enforce the rules they already have in place regarding carry-ones, I would be a happy traveler. As another has already said, I'm tired of being constantly bumped and nudged by those carrying huge and multiple bags making them unable to see, and often to care, about the fellow passengers they're hitting. And since this is a problem the airlines created in the first place when they started charging for shipped bags, the onus should fall on them to make people abide by the rules. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

No disagreement here but kind of like enforcing dining rules on a cruise ship back in the day, they just will not do it. I am one that thought the rules not only applied to me but others as well.

Many years ago we took a charter to Aruba for a Dolphin cruise. One person, and I am 100% serious, had 5 large pieces of luggage and carried them all on the plane.

Unless the flight is full, flight attendants would not allow this. We have seen flight attendants asking a guest to put their carry on above their seat.

My pet peeve are those back packs. Most people forget how far they stick out and when they turn around I used to get hit every time as I'm an isle seat person. Now I just stick my hand out and give the back pack a gentle but firm push away. Gets the point across.

This fare is intended for markets also served by Frontier, Allegiant and Spirit. Those airlines offer a zero-amenity fare, and the big, old airlines need to compete.

Not sure if it is universal but my big pet peeve is Guitars. I know I fly in and out of Nashville but when did they become carry-on legal? Don't they make cases that would survive checked baggage?

I'm not sure why some are so afraid or unwilling to just open their mouths and say something. A simple, "excuse me but you're hitting me with your backpack," seems to be more polite than pushing someone. They'll get the message and it might just stick the next time they board a plane. I'd personally prefer someone saying something instead of pushing me, no matter how gentle. The reaction to the gentle push will only get an under my breath ... "jerk! all ya gotta do is say something." Not right either way but I'm surprised at how many people just won't speak up.


We fly and go carry on always. Our carry ons are getting smaller and smaller. We also carry backpacks but don't keep them on when we board the plane. They are always held and in front of us. But to be fair ... I've also seen many guys sit on the aisle seat and spread out with their leg and or knee out in the aisle and then get upset when you walk by and bump them.


Flying isn't what is used to be. Some people have lost all tact and manners and don't obey the rules. Some people think they are the only ones on the plane and they need all the room and by God, they paid for that seat and they're entitled to it.


Sorry for the rant!


<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/boohoo.gif" alt="" /> .... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

I recently flew on Allegiant, twice. Well, I guess four times, when you consider it was two roundtrips. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Allegiant charges for literally everything also. They kind of suck you in with a low fare and then charge for everything, including taking credit cards! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> They were actually pretty organized and ANAL about carry on bags. If you wanted to take a carry on bag that didn't fit under the seat, you had to pay for it, and your boarding pass was noted that you paid for a carry on bag. AND when you boarded, those who paid for a carry on bag had a lower boarding number than those who didn't pay for a carry on. The overheads were only about half full on fully booked flights, all four legs, and the plane boarded and deplaned in fairly record time.

...which is not to say that I necessarily am in favor of this BS of charging for everything, but that was my experience. Allegiant has a lot of other problems, in terms of delays, cancelled flights, etc. But their model on baggage seems to work..

Seems we hit on a hot topic.
I made mention of this in another thread recently.
I've seen people attempt to break the rules often at the gate before boarding a plane. I am gratified and thankful when I see an airline rep enforce their rules ("You will have to check that bag, it is too large", "No, we are not boarding your zone yet, please step aside"). Almost as annoying as someone who asks you to change seats with them because of their lack of planning.
We all know that air travel is not a lot of fun anymore but it is more tolerable (and there are fewer stampedes)when basic rules are followed.

Oh, Tom, I so agree with you!!

A trip or two back JB gave away my preplanned, prepurchased forward seats (row 2 or 3) home from SXM to a Mother and her 10 - 12 year old kids so they could be seated together. Well, that was very nice of JB but it wasn't my fault, nor was it up to me to accommodate them due to their inability to plan ahead, and the Mother paid little attention to them the whole trip. You have to love the Arindell (sP?) personnel in SXM for their generosity........

The rules are the rules, whether we like them or not, and I make a point of learning and complying with them and the question is why bother when they're not enforced across the board. Oh, for the old AA Business seats on our preferred flights!!

End of personal rant, I promise!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Trust me I have never stuck my knee or leg out in the aisle.

Those small commuter flights are a hoot - folks trying to carry on luggage suitcases only to have them stopped at the gate and checked - expecting to have room in the overhead compartments for them -

Just did the same thing...bought new to fit new standard....

Typically your carry-on bags are gate-checked on the smaller commuter flights. If you're connecting to a larger plane, you wouldn't want to check your carry-on through to your final destination.

Ban carry on luggage!!!

We are dedicated carry on peeps, play by the rules, check the equipment used on the flight since certain airplanes have smaller overheads (MD80's for example). I have a closet full of suitcases and use the most suitable (pun intended) for the flights. Doing a trip on Delta a few years ago to KS to visit family we were gate checked with 2 very small carry on since our inbound flight to Atlanta was delayed and the flight was full. No problem until the ramp rats overloaded the elevator to the jet way so we could retrieve said legal carry on, temp was around 40, jackets in carry on, we were locked in the unheated jetway until they cleared the jammed elevator, almost missed our connection, were treated like idiots. Got to the connection gate and all overheads were full so got gate checked again. There is nothing wrong with carryon as long as the rules are enforced from both sides.

No, ban the travelers that think rules don't apply to them.
We will go to SXM for 3 weeks this year. Each of us takes a suitcase that easily fits into overhead and small bag that easily fits under our seat. We use laundry @ a buck/lb. in SXM and avoid the "checked bag circus" of customs and immigration when we return to US.

Didn't realize the "rules" allowed two carry on items per per person.

One "personal item" that fits under the seat and one carry on bag that meets size restrictions.

"Personal item" may be a briefcase, purse, computer bag or similar size item

Guitars and other musical instruments that can fit it the overhead bins are 'cabin legal'. Too much risk for damage to expensive instruments if checked.
Dept. of Transportation final rule:
The rule requires that each U.S. carrier subject to this regulation allow a passenger to carry into the cabin and stow a small musical instrument, such as a violin or a guitar, in a suitable baggage compartment, such as the overhead bin or a closet, or under the seats,

Thanks boucharda
Always good idea to check carry on description provided by airline you are considering but I have relied on your description and never had a problem. Maybe Motown has.

Except for airlines like Spirit and now United and some others, that is absolutely correct as to what is legal--One item that fits in the overhead (within the specific measurements) and one item that fits under the seat in front of you. Airlines call it a personal item and there are descriptions of what it can be, but I don't think they can prevent you from taking something onboard (that's otherwise legal), so long as it fits under the seat.

"Too much risk for damage to expensive instruments if checked."

My friend would not travel without his Taylor, never had a problem.

My issue is not the "rules" but the airline not enforcing them so they basically become "suggestions".

Two issues; 1)if they impose bag size "rules" then they should be enforced. If everyone expected it to be that way then they would comply.

2) Boarding groups. I have seen countless (and clueless) numbers of travelers just wander into group 1 or 2 boarding making believe they have no idea which is boarding..and most have group 4 of course. The attendants rarely call them out on it.
On one of my recent trip (I believe on Delta out of BOS) they had the passengers scan their boarding pass by boarding group...green if it was appropriate and red with a buzzer if not. The red group was sent back....

Perfect....

..of course, with all the airline affinity cards these days, it seems like everyone is supposedly entitled to priority boarding... except me... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" />