NYT assesses baggage situation

The New York Times business section does a status report on airline baggage situation:

As obvious as it sounds, traveling light — the old-fashioned obsession of many a frequent flier to reduce frustration — can reduce fees as well. Some frequent fliers have gotten packing light down to a science.

“I had a trip to Germany and I was very proud of myself because I was able to do it with just a carry-on,” said Brian Lynch, who works for a manufacturer based in Elmsford, N.Y.

Since he has elite status, Mr. Lynch’s packing light has nothing to do with fees, but with fear. In 2004, his checked luggage was lost 17 times.

“I applied to the Guinness Book of World Records,” he said. “But I didn’t get it because until I recognized that this was an amusing pattern I didn’t save any of the receipts.”

Although he always got his luggage back, he became a convert to the carry-on-only credo.

Like many of his breed, he dreaded that the new luggage charges would cause cabin chaos but he hasn’t experienced that problem.

“Maybe the airlines have just insulated their best customers,” he said.

Perhaps not all their best customers. Nick Pandher, who works in sales for a technology company near Los Angeles, disagrees.

“The overheads are really crowded,” he said. “I’ve seen many flights where they’re ready to close the door but they have to deal with bags.” - entire story here

Comments

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I usually have a bag that will fit under the seat, but if I have a second bag I make sure that both bags are relatively small and squishy, so that they can be crammed into the overhead between all the rolly box bags where there's usually some wasted space. On international flights, where there's often a one bag only limit or much stricter size limits, I've never had an issue finding bin space for a legal size bag.