Airplane Luggage Etiquette

Christopher Elliott, the Dallas Morning News Travel Troubleshooter had a very good column several months ago, so good that I'm going to take the liberty to pay him a compliment by referring to some of his “stuff”.

If you've taken a flight lately, the rush to get aboard as quickly as possible is not only to get to your seat, but primarily it is to get to an empty overhead bin to place your carry-on. Of course in this day and time, the airlines have to shoulder the blame by putting on the checked luggage fees that have caused travelers to pack the carry-ons to the gills. They can barely zip them up, and then they try to stuff them in the overhead bin that is too small for their overstuffed carry-ons. So what do they do? Well, they turn them sideways instead of rollers first, and in doing so keep someone else from being able to slide theirs in properly.

Here's a good tip from Mr. Elliott: less is more. Don't pack everything and the kitchen sink in the carry-on. And consider downsizing your carry-on and don't be a “bin-hog”. I've seen some folks who when trying to get their luggage up high enough to slide it into the bin have to have some help and when the help comes, he sometimes needs some help too. When you pack appropriately, you can place your luggage above your seat, generally with plenty of room to spare, and are able to get out of the aisle so other passengers can walk on by.

One of the etiquette consultant contributor to his column gave the suggestion to “stow the carry-on luggage quickly in the overhead bin so other passengers may pass in the aisle, and if you need extra time to stow it, step into the seat area for a moment so others may pass by, then step back into the aisle when there's a short break in the aisle” and complete the task.

Have you noticed also the luggage carousel “hogs”? They are standing right up next to the carousel as if they owned that space, daring anyone to move them out of the way to get a bag. Good manners dictate that you stand 2-3 feet away from the carousel to allow others freedom to secure their bags without banging and pushing everyone in their way.

Have you ever been hit with a back pack...a packed full back pack? The back packer is idling down the aisle and spots his seat and as he turns, whops the person whose sitting in the seat across from him up side the head with his loaded pack. Yes, it happens; I've seen it. If you are back packing, take the pack off as you enter the airplane; that way you are not endangering your fellow passengers.

One other good tip when traveling with luggage.....or even if you're not traveling with luggage is to remember that you are not the only passenger on that airplane. Some folks act like they are, and make life miserable for the next hour or two or five or 10.

The experienced travel counselors at The Travel Factory are primed and ready to help you with your trips, and will also help advise you on baggage rules, so give us a call today and let us join with you in manufacturing the vacation of your dreams. We can be reached at 4150 Southwest Drive, Suite 120. A phone call will do too at 698-1421 or toll-free 800-760-4040, or enjoy looking at our travel photos and travel suggestions on our website: www.thetravelfactoryabilene.com. And remember, when traveling and you're trying to figure out what to carry, and what not, that “less is more”!!!