Stuffing? No thank you.

USA Today says air travelers can expect a regular diet of that most unpleasant of airline treats - stuffing, possibly followed by the carry-on traveler’s old favorite, Gate Check Surprise:

Checked-bag fees recently imposed by airlines to increase revenue are squeezing business travelers out of their most precious real estate: the overhead bins.

Frequent business traveler Jeff Brown was boarding his US Airways flight at Hartford, Conn., when he was told that the overhead bins were full, just after passing the first-class cabin.

About 20% of the passengers were still in line to get on board, says Brown, a machinery manufacturing company executive from Kansas City, Mo. “Around 20 bags had to be gate-checked. It was so packed, there were people sitting in their seats holding small to medium-sized bags because they couldn’t go either way in the aisles.”- USA Today

Comments

[MaxD]

Unfortunately, this is all too common as people bring large suitcases plus large computer bags and cram them all into the over head bins. I don't know what is the solution.

[Brad]

Don't be surprised if we see one-bag, personal item only, or charge for second carryon schemes in the not-to-distant future. Nothing would surprise me. In the meantime, learning to live with one bag or a less than max-sized carryon may be the best way to prepare for whatever is coming in the future or avoid gate checking now. I know I no longer dawdle when it comes to boarding.