2008: Year of the great baggage squeeze

It’s going to get worse. As baggage fees drive amateurs to carryon-only, get ready for the squeeze as the bins bulge. And watch the size of your bag - templates may be coming back:

All three airlines say it’s possible that metal templates — which prevent larger bags from making it through X-ray machines — will be reintroduced. That’s a tactic that angered many customers in the past and was eliminated when the Transportation Security Administration took control of screening after the 2001 terrorist attacks.

“It’s something we’ve looked at in the past and may look at again,” says Mark Dupont, American’s senior vice president of airport services planning.

United is in favor of bringing back templates, says Senior Vice President Scott Dolan, and US Airways Group Inc. President Scott Kirby says a return of baggage templates is “likely” at some airports. While security checkpoints are controlled by the TSA, airlines can pressure the federal agency to allow templates if a checkpoint serves a single airline, or several airlines with the same policy on templates. - WSJ/The Middle Seat

Can we expect a new crop of undersized carryons like the Tom Bihn Western Flyer?

Check-in becomes weigh-in

Thanks to OBOW reader Kate for the heads-up on this story. I had heard a rumor of this a few weeks ago - weighing and charging for not just luggage but those who lug it as well:

THEY’RE actually talking about ‘fat levies’. Somewhere in North America, airline executives are mulling over the concept of weighing both passengers and their bags, and charging a combined ‘levy’ for both.

The musings come as carriers search desperately for a cushion against the unprecedented oil prices that threaten global airline losses of $6.1bn this year.

Airlines have already rolled out an exhaustive list of more conventional levies, covering everything from food to fuel to check-in. So when executives gathered around the brainstorming table this time round, more exotic measures were forced into focus, or so say industry insiders Stateside.  - Irish Indepedent

So be sure to pack your plate on the light side as well. 

AA's carry-on conundrum

American Airlines has apparently decided to get serious about carryons now that their “charge for checked” program has gone in to effect. How convenient.

At security: American will have employees monitoring customers carry-on bags to ensure that just one carry-on and one small item are being taken through the checkpoint. Passengers with too many items, or bags too large to carry on, will be assisted in checking their luggage.

At the gate: Employees will again monitor carry-on bags to make sure passengers are following the rules. If the airplane runs out of overhead space, travelers can check their carry-on bags at the gate without charge. Passengers who bring oversized luggage to the gate, however, will have to pay the fee to check the items.

As usual, the problem won’t be the savvy light travelers but the guy who wants to save $25 and still bring everything he can stuff into his 25-inch long rolling case. As the bins fill up, soft-sided carryons of the proper (or smaller) size are more important than ever.

Update on June 6, 2008 by Frank@OBOW

It’s worse than I thought - see Matt’s comment below. Sounds like a de facto one-bag rule!

Battle of the bins

As travelers have adjusted to the carry-on liquid rules the overhead bins are back at full capacity. This definitely commends soft-sided, legal-or-smaller-sized bags:

On her US Airways flight from New Orleans to Washington in March, Corinne Marasco, a science writer from Kingstowne, Va., was forced to check her small wheelie bag at the gate because no room remained in the overhead bins.

It didn’t matter that the gate agents kept reminding passengers that they were limited to one item of carry-on luggage, plus one personal item; the overhead bins were stuffed with shopping bags, knapsacks and pieces of luggage that clearly didn’t pass the size test.

“I saw a woman with a roll-on suitcase, a medium-size tote bag and a pocketbook board the plane, and no one asked her to check the suitcase,” Marasco said. “I was sorely tempted to start emptying out the bin over my seat so I could fit my suitcase in. - NYT via Kansas City Star

The above story also suggests that the fees airines are levying for checked luggage is driving more inexperienced, rule-flouting flyers to carry on. 

TSA - calmly improving?

DHS Announces New Aviation Security and Traveler Screening Enhancements

 

Press Release

April 28, 2008

BALTIMORE– The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today improvements aimed at strengthening aviation security while decreasing the hassle factor for travelers. Among the key improvements, DHS is providing airlines more flexibility to allow passengers to check in remotely who have been unable to do so because they have a name similar to someone on a watch list. The department also unveiled the Checkpoint Evolution prototype, which begins full operation at Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) today.

Each airline will now be able to create a system to verify and securely store a passenger’s date of birth to clear up watch list misidentifications. By voluntarily providing this limited biographical data to an airline and verifying that information once at the ticket counter, travelers that were previously inconvenienced on every trip will now be able to check-in online or at remote kiosks.

“Hassles due to misidentification and the resulting necessity to stand in line to check in at the ticket counter is consistently among the deepest – and most valid – complaints of the traveling public,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “Thousands of passengers are inconvenienced each day, and this change should provide a way to eliminate the vast majority of these situations. This is good for travelers and for security, because as we make the checkpoint environment calmer, it becomes easier to spot individuals with hostile intent.”

Additionally, DHS is providing greater clarity on the types of identification that will be accepted at checkpoints in the U.S. Beginning May 26, 2008, federal or state-issued photo ID will be accepted if it contains: name, date of birth, gender, expiration date and a tamper-resistant feature. Standardizing the list of accepted documents better aligns TSA with other DHS components and REAL ID benchmarks.  More information on acceptable documents is available at www.tsa.gov.

These innovations, along with the new Checkpoint Evolution prototype, are part of a broader effort to calm the checkpoint. The BWI prototype includes Millimeter Wave technology used in random continuous use, multi-view X-ray and liquid bottle scanners. These technologies, in conjunction with changes to the checkpoint environment and processes, will be evaluated for operational efficiency over the coming months.

Transportation Security Officers and managers at BWI are the first in the country to complete a 16-hour training module designed to incorporate the latest intelligence analysis, more advanced explosives detection skills, and ways to engage with passengers to promote a calmer environment for better security. The training was developed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Office of Intelligence, Bomb Appraisal Officers, and TSA Checkpoint Evolution team.

Checkpoint Evolution is located at B Checkpoint, Southwest Terminal at BWI. The layered security elements are both modular and flexible and designed to work individually, as well as part of an integrated package.

Phone booth strip tease

The Millimeter Wave is about to hit both coasts:

TSA Announces Bi-coastal Launch of Millimeter Wave Imaging Technology

LAX and JFK start passenger imaging on April 17
Press Release

TSA Public Affairs

WASHINGTON – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today pilots of millimeter wave technology to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Millimeter wave is currently in use at Phoenix Sky-Harbor International Airport. Millimeter wave detects weapons, explosives and other threat items concealed under layers of clothing without any physical contact. It is a promising alternative to the physical pat-down.

“The use of whole body imaging is a significant step forward in checkpoint technology,” said TSA Administrator Kip Hawley. “By expanding the use of millimeter wave, we are providing our officers with another tool to enhance security and protect the public from evolving threats.”

At LAX, millimeter wave will be used in a random continuous protocol. Alternative screening measures will be offered to individuals who decline to go through millimeter wave when asked to do so. The LAX pilot enables TSA to examine millimeter wave’s operational capability, throughput, training, ease of use and privacy perceptions by the traveling public. The metal detector will remain in place at the checkpoint. The passenger will pass through it after going through the millimeter wave machine.

Millimeter wave at JFK will be piloted as a secondary screening device similar to its use in Phoenix. The technology is a voluntary alternative to a pat-down during secondary screening. During the Phoenix pilot, 90 percent of passengers have chosen the technology over the traditional pat-down.

In both locations, a transportation security officer will guide passengers through the process, which involves stepping into the machine and remaining still for a matter of seconds while the technology creates a three-dimensional image of the passenger from two antennas that simultaneously rotate around the body. Once complete, the passenger will step through the opposite side of the millimeter wave portal.

To ensure privacy, security officers view images from a remote location. From this location, the security officer cannot ascertain the identity of the passenger, either visually or otherwise, but can communicate with a fellow officer at the checkpoint if an alarm is presented. A security algorithm will be applied to the image to blur the face of each passenger, further protecting privacy.

Millimeter wave uses electromagnetic waves to generate an image based on the energy reflected from the body. Active millimeter wave technology passes harmless electromagnetic waves over the human body to create a robotic image. It is safe and the energy emitted by millimeter wave technology is 10,000 times less than a cell phone. TSA recently announced it will purchase and deploy 30 more of the machines this year.

——

 

“To ensure privacy, security officers view images from a remote location. From this location, the security officer cannot ascertain the identity of the passenger, either visually or otherwise, but can communicate with a fellow officer at the checkpoint if an alarm is presented.”   Obviously those who consider this a virtual strip search aren’t exaggerating. - Brad

 

Our earlier post on the Wave:

 

“… are you ready for MILLIMETER WAVE Whole Body Imaging - a new technology on trial in Phoenix? It’s billed as an alternative to the all-too-friendly pat-down for secondary security  screening. It looks like a phone booth, but it can see right through you…”

Update on April 19, 2008 by Frank@OBOW

TSA blog defends the Wave:

As a married father of five small children, I wouldn’t think twice about sending my wife, my four boys or little girl into this machine. I’ve seen the image it produces and I am not only confident as a TSA employee - but as a citizen - that TSA has done everything possible to address passengers’ privacy concerns regarding whole body imaging.

For those of you who remain skeptical, you’ll be happy to know that, as we expand the use of whole body imaging to JFK and LAX, it remains an optional screening method for passengers. It’s voluntary so if you’re selected for additional screening and you prefer the physical pat-down, just let our officers know. - read the whole post here and don’t miss the comments!

Forget one-bag: check, check

One-bag geeks should forget their silliness. Check that 40-pound rolling crate of material wealth. After all, only 42 MILLION checked bags were lost in ‘07 - and that’s only a 25% increase over the previous year. Geez, find a better way to spend your time than reading a silly blog like this one.

Cranky Flier's T5 scoop

Cranky Flier has a nice informative bit on the new Heathrow Terminal 5, with tips on how to survive it and the amenities it offers (when working).

 

And here’s some news that will warm the heart of any London-bound passenger who must rely on public transport - a vastly simplified ticketing process for those moving from Heathrow to any part of London.

 

Liquid/gel bombers on trial

The eight men accused of plotting to blow up US-bound airliners with liquid and gel-based bombs are going on trial in London for the alleged plot that led to the now infamous and ubiquitious 3-1-1 carry-on rule.

Terminal 5 fiasco calls for FedEx

What’s a major international air carrier to do when its high-tech terminal of the future crashes? Call FedEx and truck some of the bags to another airport for security screening!

British Airways canceled 50 flights at London Heathrow airport’s new Terminal 5 and hired FedEx to carry about 20,000 pieces of luggage to the airport to reunite the bags with passengers after nearly a week of disruption at Europe’s busiest airport.

Glitches in the $8.5 billion terminal’s computerized baggage system have caused more than 300 flight cancellations since the system’s March 27 startup. British Airways says it has been able to return about a third of the bags to their owners.

The airline had been counting on Terminal 5, which took two decades to plan and build, to cut down on congestion and ease operations at Heathrow.

But the high-tech computerized luggage system refused to allow handlers to log-on, meaning bags that have been unloaded at Heathrow have to be re-screened manually. Some of the bags had to be taken to London Gatwick airport for the security checks.  - Air Cargo World

Update on April 4, 2008 by Frank@OBOW

This just in: Hellrow luggage rage sends a supermodel to jail… For goodness sakes Naomi, get with it and go one-bag!

Battle of the Bin

The New York Times has an interesting story on the regular disregard of carry-on luggage rules - and the fact that it’s getting worse thanks to 3-1-1. Delta Airlines is taking steps to crack down:

The carry-on wars have gotten so out of hand that at least one airline has begun to crack down on rule-breakers. This month Delta Air Lines began requiring that all carry-on items be tagged with a special approval tag before passengers board any international flight.

“We did see a need to better enforce the carry-on allotment for international flights,” said Betsy Talton, a spokeswoman for Delta. “We are looking to make sure there is enough overhead space on international flights.”

Who is to blame for the overhead crunch? The Transportation Security Administration, which performs security screenings of passengers and bags, says it is up to the airlines to enforce the carry-on rules. Airlines, for their part, say their gate agents and flight attendants are responsible for ensuring that passengers don’t abuse the rules. But the rules, as any traveler can attest, are rarely enforced consistently. - NYT

I’ve never gotten on flight where many of the carryons (often rollers that appear to weigh 30 pounds or more) weren’t obviously beyond the stated limits. And inexperienced travelers often aren’t to blame: lots of carryons are disingenuously marketed as being “legal” when in fact they are not.

How bad can it get?

 

The Heathrow story is just too compelling to drop. LHR is simply the focus of evil in the modern travel world, and it’s the best conceivable argument for NEVER checking a bag:

Last night, hundreds of passengers were forced to sleep at the terminal after waiting for their luggage for up to six hours.

By 4am queues of hundreds had formed, with airport officials handing out boxes of blankets, sleeping bags and bottled water.

Tempers boiled over and some passengers were close to tears when they were told 75 flights had been cancelled today - some for the second time in 24 hours.

By noon, the situation had become so bad that the union representing BA staff was forced to issue a statement asking angry passengers not to abuse or attack staff. - thisislondon.co.uk

Where’s the UN High Commissioner for Refugees when you need him? This is astounding. The story quoted above has some classic lines: “national disgrace and a national humiliation,” “forced to stuff her wedding dress into her hand luggage,”  “one of the worst days in history,” “I am embarrassed as hell to be a British citizen.” 

The failed baggage-handling system has 10 miles of conveyor and 140 computers to make it work. Parking spaces may have been the ultimate problem. The fiasco started when much of the baggage-handling staff were late for work because the new terminal didn’t allow for enough employee parking.

It all got worse: 15 of 16 elevators weren’t working. With classic British understatement, one official said, “It was disappointing that the opening day was marred by operational difficulties.”

More from Bloomberg

Terminal 5 no Heathrow panacea

UPDATE - latest news here 

British Airways vaunted Terminal 5   (recently opened by the Queen) was supposed to alleviate some of the chaos and congestion that is London’s Heathrow. Well, it didn’t work.  The terminal crashed Thursday and today, or at least its incredibly complex subterranean luggage handling system did. Twenty percent of BA’s flights were canceled and guess what - no checked luggage, If you flew ouf of 5 it was carry-on only. Share this story with your friends who think you’re a ridiculous travel geek/luggage freak!

Some excerpts from RTTNews:

British Airways on Friday canceled about 20% of the flights scheduled from Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5, after a chaotic opening to the GBP 4.3 billion facility yesterday.

The airliner said it was canceling around 76 planned flights from domestic and short-distance European destinations to places like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Paris and Frankfurt. British Airways said that all long distance flights from Terminal 5, or T5, would operate normally.

The operations at Terminal 1 and Terminal 4 will function normally, the airline company added.

In a release issued on early Friday, British Airways said that passengers will be able to check in with both hand and hold baggage. On Thursday, the airline had allowed passengers traveling in the afternoon and evening to carry only hand luggage, after its baggage system to carry luggage on and off flights failed.

 

Gee, 4 is still running. I have had some misery there. I’ll bet 5 has that priceless “new terminal” smell though.

 

From the BBC story: One baggage handler said it was “a shambles the moment the doors opened”.

 

One saving grace - only BA uses T5, but you’ve got to think it’s screwed up the whole wretched place.

 

 

 

 

Northwest charging for checkage

News release from Northwest Airlines:

EAGAN, Minn. – (March 28, 2008) – Northwest Airlines (NYSE: NWA) today announced changes to its luggage policies for coach class customers traveling within North America.

For coach class travel on or after May 5, 2008, Northwest Airlines is matching several other U.S. network carriers and implementing a $25 charge for the customer’s second checked bag. The fee is applied each way. Coach class customers may continue to check one piece of luggage free of charge.

Other changes include an increase from $80 to $100 for three or more checked bags, and an increase from $25 to $50 for overweight bags greater than 50 pounds.

These policies also apply to Northwest Airlink customers flying on Mesaba, Pinnacle or Compass Airlines.

Northwest Airlines’ Silver, Gold and Platinum WorldPerks® Elite customers, SkyTeam Elite customers and passengers booked in full fare classes (Y or B) may still check two bags free of charge. Customers booked in first class can continue to check up to three bags free of charge.

Rumor is that American Airlines may implement a similar policy.The day isn’t far away when airlines will be charging for all checked luggage, not just the second piece.  

United charges for second checked bag

According to USA Today United Airlines is now charging $25 for a second checked bag. The article offers this suggestion for skirting the fee:

…packing more in one bag without exceeding the 50-pound weight limit, packing more carry-on luggage, having a fellow traveler check the second bag (this would violate airport security rules), or bringing a bag that exceeds carry-on limits to the gate and checking it there.

Unfortunately, “packing more carry-on luggage” means more people bringing more overweight, oversized carryons which - if you’re lucky - won’t fall out of the overhead compartment and kill you. 

UK airport strike averted

Late word from the BBC is that the strike planned for January 7 by workers at the UK’s largest airports (BAA-operated) has been averted. The two other “scheduled” strkes for the 14th and 17th are technically still on but are also expected to be cancelled as BAA and Unite union are expected to reach a resolution. The 24-hour strike would have resulted in a week-long cataclysm of delay and misery for anyone transiting through the UK.

London calling: not so fast

News of the imminent, widespread return of the personal item to carry-on travelers in the UK has been greatly exxagerated:

A plan to ease the one-piece cabin baggage restriction for airline passengers in January could lead to mass confusion, airport officials say.

The Department for Transport has said more than one piece will be allowed after 7 January, provided airports have purchased improved security scanners.

Yet airport operators say it is also up to airlines to decide if they want more cabin baggage on board flights. - BBC

Did you catch the poison pill? UK airports must have the new 3D-imaging x-ray scanners in place to allow the personal item. I’ll bet that means the change will come slowly to Heathrow and who-knows-when everywhere else. In the meantime assume that one bag really means ONE bag. 

Class warfare & air rage

The New York Times sees class war in the air and finds that it contributes to air rage:

“There is no question the cattle-class experience has contributed to the rise and intensity of air rage incidents all over the world,” said Andrew Robert Thomas, an assistant professor of business at the University of Akron, who has written books about air rage and maintains the Web site airrage.org.

“More people in a smaller space experiencing a naturally stressful environment will trigger different reactions in some folks, and a number will be violent,” he added. “With the cutbacks continuing and the number of air travelers projected to triple in the next 20 years, air rage will be a problem for the foreseeable future.” 

Forlorn flyers will find more likeminded souls at these websites: flyertalk.com, airlinerage.com and flightsfromhell.com.                                       

TSA's holiday checklist - check the pies & beer!

Memo to Santa: In case a  French reindeer strike causes you to have fly commerical, here’s what you can and can’t carry on.

 
Some samplings from tsa.gov (no kidding):

“Not sure about what you can and can’t bring through the checkpoint*? Here’s a list of liquid, aerosol and gel items that you should put in your checked bag, ship ahead, or leave at home:

• Gravy

• Salad dressing

• Oils & vinegars

• Cranberry sauce

• Salsa

• Sauces

• Creamy dips

• Wine, liquor & beer

• Other beverages

• Jams & Jellies
  

• Soups

• Cakes & Pies”
  

AND REMEMBER, NO WRAPPED GIFTS!!!!

 

TSA says be neat or be delayed!

Messy packers, you and the TSA have issues:

WASHINGTON — Airline passengers, who already are required at airport checkpoints to remove their shoes, take off their coats and carry only small bottles of liquids, now have a new task: Pack neatly.
In anticipation of the most popular holiday for travel in the USA, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today launches a campaign urging travelers to eliminate clutter in carry-on bags. Pack in layers. Keep items neat.
Messy travelers could spend more time in line if their carry-ons are cluttered because such bags are more likely to be pulled aside and searched by hand, TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe says. - USA Today

From the TSA site:
—
Here’s how to SimpliFLY your overall security experience:

• Pack an organized carry-on bag using layers – a layer of clothes, then electronics, more clothes, and then other items like toiletries. This will help security officers see what’s in your bag.
• Have your boarding pass and ID ready for inspection when you get to the checkpoint.
• Remove your coat and shoes and place them in a bin.
• Place any oversized electronics (laptops, full-size video game consoles, DVD players and video cameras that use cassettes) in a separate bin. iPods and other smaller electronics can stay in your carry-on bag.
• Follow the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and put your one quart baggie separately in the bin.
• When in doubt, leave it out. If you’re not sure about whether you can bring an item through the checkpoint, put it in your checked bag or leave it at home. Click here to see the list of prohibited items.
  —
  

I’m guessing packing cubes are OK, but probably the more translucent the better. Some of us will take a little umbrage at being told to “neaten up,” I’ll bet. Here are some TSA example photos (left good, right bad, if the shoe fits wear it!):