TRAVELING BY AIRPLANE

Among the aggravating aspects commonly experienced when traveling by commercial airplane is the boarding and deboarding processes. Everybody hates this. You’re waiting in line for the people ahead to sit down, an annoying delay.

What are they doing that is taking so long? They are stowing their carry-on luggage in the overhead compartments. Or they are removing those same unwieldy packages at the other end of the trip. 

When boarding, the line cannot move until those rolling suitcases have been sandwiched into the overhead storage, not to be disturbed until landing. It is not unusual for a customer to spend time struggling to fit the bag into the storage space. An inch of length of a bag can make a huge difference between an easy fit and the need for a show of force. The passenger cannot sit down until the suitcase is properly placed. The line is frozen.

Debarking, many people do not stand up to retrieve their stored luggage until all the rows in front of them are on their way. The aisle space is too limited to maneuver. So as soon as one row empties, the next row can get up and bring down their stuff. Meanwhile, no one is moving behind them. 

The answer is to allow only one item of carry-on that can fit under the seat in front of you. Remove the overhead compartments. Passengers would board and sit down in their seats, placing whatever they have in front of them. These items are already placed after the person sits down. No possibility of standing in the aisle to shove a bag under a seat. All that aggravating waste of time is eliminated.

First-class travelers are paying for the privilege of being able to bring on an additional piece – which could be a rolling suitcase – and place it in First-Class overhead storage as always. This does not change. These seats are expensive, and the public accepts that perks are associated with paying the extra price. 

Economy plus seats can still be offered. It may provide extra legroom and a more forward position, but no extra carry-on baggage. 

People in bulkhead seats, where there is no underseat storage space, will be provided overhead storage. This compartment will fit the same size bag as would fit under the seat. No rolling suitcases.

Exiting the airplane will become simple and straightforward. The carry-on article that is under the seat in front of the passenger is retrieved while sitting. When those sitting in the row in front begin to move on, the next row heads out immediately. There is nothing else to do.

Currently, a second carry-on bag, usually a rolling suitcase, is allowed. Under the new system, this additional piece of luggage can be checked at the ticket counter, free of charge. Size and weight restrictions still apply. If it is checked at the ticket counter, it may contain the same types of items as regular checked luggage. 

Checking luggage is a big hassle. Many people travel lightly and disembark with their two carry-on bags. These individuals require only this much for the trip they are taking. Everybody should not have to go through the process of checking and retrieving bags. It is a significant burden. Many travelers do currently avoid having to go to Baggage Claim.

There is a commonly used practice that allows people to check their second carry-on bag at the gate free of charge. When exiting the aircraft, they wait in the gangway for the bags to be brought there. Under this new system, gateside checking is only allowed if the passenger is not checking any other luggage. Of course, these bags checked at the gate must pass TSA screening just as they do now. 

If someone has no checked bags, they can hand the smaller bag over at the gate and retrieve it there later. The gate personnel will not be allowed to print baggage tags for anyone who has checked luggage for that flight. The computer knows who is doing what and can assure that people handle the second “carry-on” according to the rules. This maintains maximal efficiency.

There is no practical reason for a passenger to bring a bag to the gate if he or she has already checked one at the ticket counter. The person checking some bags at the ticket counter and another at the gate is just self-inflicting more personal hassle.

For those who check at the gate and retrieve after the flight, the airline can prioritize having those bags available to the customer as quickly as possible at the destination airport. Waiting in the gangway is an unpleasant experience.

Because a significant percentage of travelers will check their free bag at the ticket counter, security lines will move faster. Reducing the number of bags that have to be scrutinized by TSA personnel adds greater safety for all and less eye strain for the screeners. Fewer bags to be pulled off the conveyor for hand examination is a bonus. Overall, less time and less danger for TSA personnel. 

Fewer people walking through the airport concourse with roller bags will make this stroll easier and less problematic.  

More flights would leave on time. I can imagine travelers feeling more buoyant with less to oversee.

Stopping at a store or restaurant in the concourse becomes a less demanding experience. You don’t have to keep one eye on that extra bag while shopping, ordering, paying, and eating. Airlines will need special bags to hold purchases from airport vendors. These pouches would be checked and retrieved at the gate, regardless of the status of any other luggage. It is the responsibility of the traveler to get to the gate early enough for this process to happen. People who arrive once the gate is closed are already not allowed to board. 

The gate environment will be less cluttered without all those bags lying around. Passengers are told to closely watch their bags for safety reasons This becomes easier with fewer to monitor.

Using the restroom while waiting to board is easier.

This system will be an advantage for travelers who would like to bring some items that cannot be checked but who do not want to pay for a small, checked bag. They can now check their small bag at the ticket counter, at no cost. People who are already checking a bag will find this is no added burden.

Pre- and post-trip suitcase packing will be easier for vacation travel. Essentially, having an extra small bag that is checked allows greater latitude for items that may not be carried aboard. Suitcase size and weight will remain the primary concerns of travelers. The contents issue remains unchanged. Some business travelers may also find the free checked bag advantageous.

This system makes the entire air travel experience less stressful. This should lead to reduced anger and bad behavior. 

Airlines who adopt this system may get new customers who are frustrated by the lines to get on and off the plane. Some airlines may choose to have everyone, except first-class and bulkhead patrons, check the second carry-on. Some companies may continue the current program. Once travelers experience rapid boarding and exit from planes, they will not want to go back.

The flying public would have more options for how they fly. A big problem with commercial flying is getting onto and off the plane. Eliminating the overhead compartments makes air travel less complicated.

Send this blog, in whole or in part, to your favorite airline. Ask friends to do the same. Who knows?