Government asking airlines to drop sizing templates for carry-ons

Philly.com (Page of the Philadelphia Enquirer) ^ | May 1, 2002 | INA PAIVA CORDLE

[the]

The article does not clearly express whether or not the Feds intend to offer one same-size template to all the airlines, or if the feds intend to do away with templates all together.

Either way this is yet another small example of the Federal Government run amuck. Mineta and Macaw don't have time to take care of arming pilots, but they have time to worry about telling the airlines how to run their businesses down to the pickiest little level.

If the airlines follow this request we will certainly return to the days of people attempting to check in for their flight with two pieces of carry-on luggage: A mattress and a Yak.

[wild peach]

I think they should ban all carry-on. Imagine how fast you could get on and off a plane!

[Dialup Llama]

>A mattress and a Yak.

Whew. I thought you were about to say llama.

[dawn53]

It would speed things along, but it'll never happen. Women don't carry wallets in their back pockets like men. And as long as a woman can carry a purse, then a man will insist on a briefcase, and the businessmen won't want to check their computers, etc. etc. etc.

[the]

The time savings would not, to me anyway, be worth
the risk of arriving at your destination with no luggage whatsoever.

[Labyrinthos]

I think they should ban all carry-on. Imagine how fast you could get on and off a plane!

A very simple solution which does not require an Act of Congress or an FAA regulation is for airlines to offer an incentive to people who carry no more than a purse or briefcase -- those people get to leave the plane when it arrives at the gate prior to the people who have carry on luggage.

[PogySailor]

The Transportation Security Administration sent a letter to airlines last month, asking them to remove sizing templates at checkpoints, to provide consistency and offer "one standard that will allow for a smooth transition for the traveling public."

Umm, doesn't a template "provide consistency" and "one standard"????

[ofMagog]

0130 Friday here. Time for bedcheck.
We'd have more room aboard if some folks hadn't insisted on
having to daily marinate themselves in perfumes.
Location still near the Monowai Seamount.

[GuillermoX]

Hey great idea...I'm sick of all those idiots who bring 10 days worth of stuff with them on the plane, then whine when they don't have anywhere to put it.

[RocketWolf]

Years back I got to sit next to a lady who's carry ons were a purse and a large mesh bag of live chickens. Thus was on an F28, Rome to Naples.

[wild peach]

Great idea! I am just sick of being hit on the head with all manner of mattresses and yaks!

[the]

The mattress and a Yak joke isn't mine originally, but I cannot remember from whom I heard it first.

My other favorites was "A pole lamp and a gas grill."

(No llamas, though.)
(Yet. ;-) )

[Mr. Bird]

A very simple solution which does not require an Act of Congress or an FAA regulation is for airlines to offer an incentive to people who carry no more than a purse or briefcase

Right on. While your de-planing privelige is a good idea, imagine if they offered a separate class, "Coach-Lite", that had a slight discount or added frequent-flier miles, or something as simple as free cocktails? I fly fairly frequently, and oversized carry ons (and the rude people who bring them) are a huge peeve of mine.

[angkor]

The Transportation Security Administration sent a letter to airlines last month, asking them to remove sizing templates at checkpoints, to provide consistency and offer "one standard that will allow for a smooth transition for the traveling public."

This makes no sense whatsoever. The templates are there to provide "one standard."

[Phantom Lord]

Outside of my golf clubs, i try my best to bring only what I can 'carry on.'

I wonder what it would cost to UPS or FedEx my clubs? Anyone know?

[APBaer]

"I am just sick of being hit on the head with all manner of mattresses and yaks!"

When yaks are outlawed
only outlaws will have yaks!

[the]

As the old joke about technical standards goes, "The great thing about standards is that there are so many to choose from."

Airlines have different size templates based upon the size of the overhead bins in their aircraft. Continental spent big dollars to offer larger overhead bins in their planes in an attempt to offer a feature that travellers desired. Among other things, forcing one template for all airlines would remove any competitive advantage that might have been realized by offering increased carry-on capacity. That, and it simply reeks of bureaucratic busybodery.