CARRY-ONs & PERSONAL ITEMS:

I have to go there because lately it seems like there's a lot of confusion as to what these terms mean as well as how many you can bring on board. Check with your airline on the limits. Most only allow 1 Carry-On Bag + 1 Small Personal Item. Basically- You can take TWO (2) bags on board. You can put one in the overhead bin if you brought 2 & the 2nd needs to go under the seat in front of you.  More on that later. First I want to educate the masses on what a Carry-On item is.  Because I hear all too often, "but this is my purse" when we ask them to put it under their seat. I think to myself- did you not carry this item on the plane? Surely it did not just appear there suddenly? Anyways.....

I found this awesome website called "Luggage Online" (www.luggageonline.com) where they conveniently have a listing of every airline's  Carry-On Rules. For the most part, your Carry-On cannot exceed 22"x14"x9" and if you cannot lift it above your head- it is too heavy and must be checked.  (For you bag fee haters- which is everyone- just take it with you and gate check it for no fee...shhhh I didn't say that)

What is considered a Carry-On-Item?
It's your bag that's too large to fit under your seat. Your Roller Suitcase, Large Duffle Bags. Oversized Laptop Bags.  Your 22"x14"x9" bag that I described above.  CAUTION: If your bag has front pockets & zipper expanders....do NOT stuff them so full the seams are about to burst- because you might have a difficult time getting your bag into the bin.

What is a Personal Item then?
It's your bags that you carried onboard that can fit in the space under the seat in front of you, not blocking access to the aisle.  Your purse, backpack, briefcase, diaper bag, camera bag, tote-bag, shopping bag, pet carrier, Build-A-Bear, Laptops, anything other than one (1) large item you placed into the bin above.  If you carried it onto the airplane- it's a Carry-on or Personal Item.  Do not place your "small personal item" into the overhead bin until all of the "larger carry-ons" are stowed.  Also- hold onto your coats & jackets until the bin is full of luggage & place your coat around & on top of the large bags.


Place your large carry-on item, such as rolling suitcases in the overhead bins & place your smaller personal items in the space designated for stowage under the seat in front of you.

Approved Places to Put your Stuff:  Overhead Bins & Completely Under the seat in front of you & anywhere the Flight Attendant assists you with. (Do not take it upon yourself to put your bags anywhere other than the Bins or Under your seat. If your bags do not fit- Simply ask for assistance. Usually we know the tricks on getting your bags to fit or we can work something out for you.  We'd prefer to keep your bag in the cabin to make you happy, but it doesn't always work that way.)

 

 

Unacceptable Places to Put your Bags:
-seatback pockets: the only stuff that can go in there is what was there before you sat down. do NOT put your laptop in there!!
-Bins labled "Crew Use Only" or "Emergency Equipment Only"....this one is pretty self explanitory.
-behind your feet
-on your lap
-in the seatback pockets
-ailes
-anywhere other than the bins or under the seat in front of you.

But I'm in the Bulkhead!!  Oh my favorite....Not.  You don't really get that much leg-room most of the time and You have to put ALL your stuff in the bins. Yes- that includes your purse (we already determined that it's gotta be stowed)  I tell my bulkhead people as soon as I see them sitting down that all of their stuff has to go up, but the ladies can hold onto their purses if they want to until the end of boarding & I'll bring them down after we're in the air....if your Flight Attendant doesn't offer this- just ask politely.
If you're NOT in the bulkhead- place your bags in the next bin to give the bulkhead passengers the chance to put their stuff up since they have to put both bags up.

For Taxi, Take-Off & Landing, your bags must be stowed....but once we're in the air, you can move your bags to make yourself more comfortable. I am tall so when I travel as a passenger, I usually put my small carry-on behind my legs to stretch out after we're in the air...

When we ask you to put your bags under the seat and offer to place it in the bin or check your item- we are not trying to be mean- we are just trying to keep you safe.  Bags that are not securely stowed under your seat could block the route to exit during an emergency & items  held on your lap, behind your legs or in the seatback pockets could become projectiles. At least that's what the FAA has discovered.  Look- someone who gets paid a whole hell of a lot more than me makes the rules so I can get paid a whole lot less to ask you to follow them.  It's just how it goes....and its for your safety.....

Let's Recap some Do's & Don'ts:
DO Stow your big item in the bin & your small item under your set
DON'T put your little bags in the bin
DO ask for assistance if you are having trouble finding a spot for your bag.
DON'T get mad when the Flight Attendant won't put your bag up for you- we are not allowed to.
DO take your seat as quickly as possible after stowing your bags.
DO NOT put your bags in the first bin when you are seated in the last row! It's rude.
DO be considerate of others. The bins are shared stowage & the space is limited. Don't put all your bags up there....if your 2nd item doesn't fit under the seat- then you shouldn't have brought it on in the first place.
DO NOT get an attitude when your bag doesn't fit. Don't tell us "it fit on the last one." If it doesn't fit- then it is too large to be a carry-on bag. End of story. Take it to the front & the ground personelle will check it to your final destination.
DO MAKE YOURSELVES COMFORTABLE & ENJOY YOUR FLIGHT!!!