Word leaked last month that United Airlines would begin to strictly enforce its carry-on policy on March 1, 2014 and new carry-on sizers began popping up around the gate areas of many United stations. MileagePlus members received e-mails outlining the new baggage policy this week and an internal memo was sent out instructing airport staff at all steps of the check-in process to monitor for carry-on compliance. Today, the new policy officially went into effect, but reports from travellers have been surprising: business as usual, with many passengers still hauling the kitchen sink onboard with no objection from the gate agents.
For years travelers have flouted United’s two-item carry-on policy by bringing large bags and and a third or fourth (or fifth or sixth) item onboard United flights. The result is routinely that those in later boarding groups are forced to gate check their bags to their final destination. In an effort to minimize this, speed up the boarding process, and prevent the occasional nasty confrontations resulting from passengers not wanting to part with their bags, United logically determined to start enforcing their own carry-on policies.
United summarizes its carry-on restrictions in an over/under/checked approach:
- Over: One carry-on item that fits in the overhead bin (no larger than 9 x 14 x 22 inches including handles and wheels)
- Under: One personal item that fits under the seat in front of you, such as a laptop case or other small item (no larger than 9 x 10 x 17 inches)
- Checked: Any oversized or extra items that do not comply with the over/under guidelines
United’s Contract of Carriage states:
Carry-on Baggage must not exceed the Maximum Outside Linear Dimensions of 45 inches (114 cm) (height + width + depth), which includes its wheels and handles, and may not be longer than 22 inches in any single dimension.
Personal items must not exceed 36 linear inches, which includes any wheels and handles, and may not be longer than 17 inches in any single dimension.
The problem with that is that many “carry-on” bags, including those that are marketed as carry-on bags, do not satisfy this criteria. My own Travelpro bag is one inch too long even though it easily fits in the overhead bins on nearly all United aircraft wheels-first. The fact that it does not fit in the sizer, though, renders me liable to having to check my bag at the gate and when I travel with only one bag, I have valuables in there that I am not willing to check.
So United has a solution–buy a new bag from us. Yes, United is now in the business of selling bags. But what will my solution be? To bring a second bag just in case. I won’t solve the carry-on problem, I will instead make it worse.
When people trudge onto an aircraft with six bags or a bag that is so big that there is not a snowball’s chance in hell it will fit in an overhead locker, most passengers–and FAs–just ignore it or roll their eyes and it is only later, to the delay of others, that the bag must be dragged to the aircraft door to be checked.
With carry-on abuse rife, we should all celebrate that United is finally cracking down on this. What I hope, though, is that United employees will use discretion in enforcing the bag regulations, noting that a bag that is an inch too long will still fit lengthwise in the overhead bins or allowing a mother with three bags onboard if her child has one.
But I do hope United agents will not totally ignore the rule. Today, most have reported that United’s new gate announcements include a note about the new carry-on restrictions, but that no one has been enforcing them. Some were seen still bringing huge bags onboard. With all the expense UA has put out on the new sizers and the fact that overhead space routinely fills up, it would be unfortunate if the “new” rule was just ignored. I would even encourage charging passengers a premium for checking bags at the gate rather than the current policy of checking them for free at the gate (a great way to avoid baggage fees). The rules have always said that gate-checked oversized carry-on baggage should be charged, but I have never seen it happen.
Still, a little discretion goes a long way and United must be careful not to be so strict that they let an imperfect rule overrule common sense. Let’s see if the situation improves.
I thought I read on Flyertalk that the sizer is intentionally larger than the stated dimension restrictions, in order to accommodate the “traditional” 22 inch carry-ons like yours. Which makes sense — they’d be crazy to try to literally enforce the rule which would cause Tumi, B&R, etc. domestic carry-ons to be checked.
Of course, there’s also always something to be said for Spirit’s policy — charging a fee for both checked and carry-on luggage — which if implemented properly isn’t all that crazy of a way of restoring proper incentives.
Your post is incorrect – UA is in fact charging the checked bag rate for those who end up having too many pieces that must be checked at the gate. It was in the email sent out and also stated on the carryon page on united.com
I had several flights since 3/1. I didn’t notice anything different about the announcements or boarding process. I had one 319 flight that I arrived to the gate late into the boarding process, and I saw at least 40 bags in the jetway that were tagged, including my own. Of course this bird even had the new bins that allow for “50% more space” which of course is total BS.
My rollerboard fits in the sizer, but my relatively small laptop backpack is a bit too wide based on specs, but also fits in the sizer.
I almost never check bags, but I’m really looking forward better enforcement helping the horrid boarding procedure.
Brad just curious how you have managed “several” flights since March 1 given this article was written on March 1. As to the topic of the new rules I hope the gate attendants enforce the rules. I fly UA almost every week and it is a mess on many occasions. We will see.
Bye Bye Matthew…mileage runners are no longer relevant nor are their blogs. Appreciated you’re reviews but I agree with airlines. $$$ is what should have always mattered.
@Sue, I had 2 flights each on March 1 and 2. I knew this policy was supposed to be implemented, so I was on the lookout. Maybe I should have said I had several flights since the carryon policy was supposed to have changed.
@UAL 1K Brooklyn: A rather odd comment considering I haven’t done a mileage run in two years and my blog is not about mileage running.
Thank you for update, and I agree with you, common sense is uncommon on UA, so be ready for the worst.
I flew March 5 EWR-DFW, March 7 DFW-EWR. Gate attendants and flight attendants completely ignored the bag sizes. They were very pleasant, clearly not interested in getting into a hassle with the customers.
I measured my bag last night. 21x15x9 . I have 45 linear inches. I’m 1 inch over in width. It’s a fairly new bag and a super bag at that. If they just announced the new specs. Maybe they should use some discretion? My two wheel is shorter then any spinner. Why don’t they simply just enforce the original measurements? How many times have i seen 25 inch bags brought on as a carry on . why punish everyone who have always been in compliance? Another major problem. Many of the major department stores as of this weekend were still offering 15 inch wide bags. And that’s if they offer the size dimensions. changing the size by one inch and no idea if any discretion will be used. Leaves me feeling cheated. Airfares are high and my bag is within their 45 linear inches! United, American and Delta be nice to your customers!