Travel Hack for future flights

[rennigade]

Anyone who has flown in the last couple years knows its pretty rare to find a flight that is empty. Most flights are now almost always booked full.

Wife and I were just got back from vacation. The flights we booked each had 1 stop layovers. As we were sitting waiting to board the crew came over the loud speaker and said anyone that wanted to check a bag can do so now for free...and it would arrive to final destination. We had already checked a large suitcase so my wife decided to check her carry on suitcase for free. That happened for all 4 flights where they gave the option to check bags for free.

Moving forward we're going to both bring those carry on luggage's and check them at the gate for free. Will save us $25 for each flight. Doesnt sound like a lot but it would save us around $50/trip...and we take 2-3 trips each year.

I know some people dread having to check luggage...not us. We almost always check. We used to carry everything on but have found its well worth paying the fee to check a bag. Less to drag around, less having to worry about if there is overhead space, etc etc. I bring a small carry on bag with an outfit, entertainment stuff, snacks and other essentials.

I wish they would eliminate large carry on bags. Would make boarding/emptying plane much much quicker.

[disneysteve]

That wouldn't work for us as the stuff that gets packed in the carry-on is stuff that we don't want checked and it isn't packed to be checked.

If enough people start doing this, though, I'm sure the airlines will catch on and hike the fee for checking at the last minute. As it is now, some airlines give a discount on the baggage fee when you do it in advance.

The airlines created this problem themselves by charging for baggage in the first place. It has forced people to bring as much as possible onboard with them rather than check a suitcase and pay a fee.

[creditcardfree]

Or fly Southwest and check up to two bags for free per person. I realize Southwest doesn't fly everywhere, though.

[rennigade]

That wouldn't work for us as the stuff that gets packed in the carry-on is stuff that we don't want checked and it isn't packed to be checked.

Hence the small bag/backpack I bring on the airplane. Stuff that breaks and small bottles of liquid that would probably be crushed/spilled comes on the plane with me as well.

[rennigade]

Or fly Southwest and check up to two bags for free per person. I realize Southwest doesn't fly everywhere, though.

I only had points to fly with AA and Delta. Ill take our free flights and deal with paying $25 to check a bag if necessary over southwest any day.

I do have much love for southwest though.

[SavingMum]

I used to take a carry on with all my heavy things (books etc) as the weight was unlimited, plus a little bag inside with everything I would need for the flight. Before boarding, I extracted my little bag and checked in the carry on. Fun fun fun

Now though... I travelled alone with the baby in Nov (5 months old then) and I didn't check in a suitcase (was only going Sun-Wed). It was ok when I had the stroller, but once I checked that in before boarding I had to carry:
A rucksack
My coat
Baby's coat
Baby
Baby's bag
Food bag
Passports and boarding passes.

And my seat was all the way down the aisle...

[HundredK]

Not all airlines allow you to do free gate checks, so I really wouldn't depend on that as a way to save a few dollars. And that's going to get less and less with the new ultra low airfare options that don't even allow some people to have any overhead space at all.

Plus, it's really inconsiderate to other passengers to take up way more than your fair share of the overhead bins. It can also delay the boarding process when so many people have brought on more than they should that they have to delay things to force people to gate check. One of my constant annoyances in flying.

[rennigade]

Plus, it's really inconsiderate to other passengers to take up way more than your fair share of the overhead bins. It can also delay the boarding process when so many people have brought on more than they should that they have to delay things to force people to gate check. One of my constant annoyances in flying.

Hmm...maybe you misunderstood. All of our carry on luggage is in compliance with the size standards airlines put in place. Its just nice being able to check them and not have to worry about lugging them around.

Like I said im in favor of banning almost all carry ons. It does slow down the boarding process and unloading of plane. I see old and young people who sometimes cannot lift their luggage that they chose to bring on into the overhead bins. They rely on others to lift it for them. My wife gets angry at me for not helping people with luggage if they're next to me. I refuse. If they cant put it in the overhead themselves then why in gods name did they bring it in the first place?

[HundredK]

Hmm...maybe you misunderstood. All of our carry on luggage is in compliance with the size standards airlines put in place. Its just nice being able to check them and not have to worry about lugging them around.

Like I said im in favor of banning almost all carry ons. It does slow down the boarding process and unloading of plane. I see old and young people who sometimes cannot lift their luggage that they chose to bring on into the overhead bins. They rely on others to lift it for them. My wife gets angry at me for not helping people with luggage if they're next to me. I refuse. If they cant put it in the overhead themselves then why in gods name did they bring it in the first place?

Oh sorry, to be clear, my angst wasn't directed at you, more of a generalized angst (I fly a lot and these things annoy me). So I just wanted to reinforce that people shouldn't get the idea that bringing tons of overhead stuff with the idea of checking it for free is necessarily a good idea. I get that you seem like a very thoughtful traveler.

[disneysteve]

Kind of off-topic but related:

I'll never understand why they insist on boarding planes from front to back. I mean I understand boarding first class first. They're paying for that privilege - although personally I'm not sure that sitting on the plane longer than necessary is actually a privilege.

For everyone else, though, it would be so much more efficient to load last row first. That way, you wouldn't be pushing past the people who boarded ahead of you who are still lingering in the aisle. You wouldn't be bumping into people already seated along the aisle as you pass with your bags. And you wouldn't get to the back of the plane only to find that the overhead bins are already full and you need to go all the way back to the front to check your bag.

[HundredK]

Kind of off-topic but related:

I'll never understand why they insist on boarding planes from front to back. I mean I understand boarding first class first. They're paying for that privilege - although personally I'm not sure that sitting on the plane longer than necessary is actually a privilege.

For everyone else, though, it would be so much more efficient to load last row first. That way, you wouldn't be pushing past the people who boarded ahead of you who are still lingering in the aisle. You wouldn't be bumping into people already seated along the aisle as you pass with your bags. And you wouldn't get to the back of the plane only to find that the overhead bins are already full and you need to go all the way back to the front to check your bag.

Which airlines still board front to back? From what I've seen, most passengers now are assigned a priority level and you basically board based on how important you are as a traveler to the airline, regardless of where you sit. I didn't realize any still boarded front to back?

[rennigade]

I'll never understand why they insist on boarding planes from front to back.

And you wouldn't get to the back of the plane only to find that the overhead bins are already full and you need to go all the way back to the front to check your bag.

In theory thats a great idea and should speed up the process...problem is ive seen so many people who are sitting in the back of the plane put their luggage in the overhead bins in the front of the plane. That could cause an issue with those in front boarding last and now their overhead space is full.

If flight attendants would monitor this sort of behavior then boarding from the back first is the way to go for sure.

Ive also seen studies done that if they boarded window seats first, then middle, then isle...thats actually the quickest way. No one would ever have to stand up to let the window person or middle person in...they would already be seated.

Also...about 3 years ago I was on a flight that did board back to front...I cant remember the airline though.

[HundredK]

problem is ive seen so many people who are sitting in the back of the plane put their luggage in the overhead bins in the front of the plane. That could cause an issue with those in front boarding last and now their overhead space is full.

If flight attendants would monitor this sort of behavior then boarding from the back first is the way to go for sure.

I was just about to make this point as well. We often get free upgrades to business class, and I can't tell you how many coach flyers come in and try to put their luggage in either the business or first class sections. Those flight attendants however are totally on top of that. They catch nearly everyone who tries it.

[StormRichards]

In theory thats a great idea and should speed up the process...problem is ive seen so many people who are sitting in the back of the plane put their luggage in the overhead bins in the front of the plane. That could cause an issue with those in front boarding last and now their overhead space is full.

If flight attendants would monitor this sort of behavior then boarding from the back first is the way to go for sure.

Ive also seen studies done that if they boarded window seats first, then middle, then isle...thats actually the quickest way. No one would ever have to stand up to let the window person or middle person in...they would already be seated.

Also...about 3 years ago I was on a flight that did board back to front...I cant remember the airline though.

Yep. Heaven forbid those people carry their carryon luggage ALL THE WAY down the aisle to the back of the plane.

[disneysteve]

Which airlines still board front to back?

We haven't flown for just over 3 years so maybe things have changed. Our next air travel will be in June. I'll have to pay attention to how they do it then. I didn't realize it was different now.