Thanks, Uncle Sam! Carry-on baggage limits may increase by a few inches

by Janice Hough on June 19, 2009

A new bill before Congress seeks to standardize the carry-on baggage rule. The bill, titled the Securing Carry-On Baggage Act, H.R. 2870, would apply to bags carried on board all U.S. commercial planes.

It would also require that TSA be in charge of enforcing the carry-on rules by using a template at security. Proponents of the bill say that would expedite the security process. (Actually, it’s likely to expedite the boarding process, and slow down the security process, as passengers try all possible measures to get their stuff through the template.)

Less noticed, perhaps, is the fact that the proposed bill would allow travelers who currently have bags at the limit to buy a new bag, or expand their current one, as the new limit would be 22 inches by 18 inches by 10 inches.

But many domestic carriers now require bags to be smaller than that. American Airlines requires bags to be a maximum of 45 inches (length plus width plus height.) Delta Airlines and United Airlines set the limit as 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches.

And while four extra inches of width and an inch of height may not seem like much, as anyone who’s ever been right on the edge for a trip, it can be a godsend. (At San Francisco Airport for example, TSA employees have been enforcing a fourteen-inch width rule, which can require repacking for stuffed carry-ons, and in some cases, means that passengers have needed to check their luggage.)

No doubt, as with any legislation, we are a long way from seeing the new rules in action. Although my sense is that bringing a little sanity to the boarding process will probably get bi-partisan agreement. Especially as even those who regularly exceed the carry-on limits are probably going to be loathe to admit it.

But for those who have been following the rules, travelling with a little more stuff may be in your future.

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Tagged as: carry-on baggage, carry-on bags, carryon bags, security lines, TSA

  • David Z

    Good news for travelers, bad news for airlines? :)

  • Ron

    Has anyone from Congress actually flown on a plane in coach recently? The overheads are full enough. Allowing even larger bags will simply fill the bins faster.

    I would love the ability to use a larger carryon, as I am on a plane almost weekly, but I can forsee even more people that get on the plane last will be gate checking their bags. I was on a plane yesterday from Tampa to Newark and about the last dozen or so passengers getting on were forced to check their carryon’s. The confusion was multiplied since a few of them didn’t speak English. Our flight wound up being delayed. If everyone had larger carryons, I would imagine that even more folks would have had to gate check their bags.

    Standardizing the bag size across airlines is a good thing. Making that standard larger than most carriers already allow should really be examined.

  • Cliff Woodrick

    The bins are overfilled because many (most) airlines charge for baggage. If the airlines stopped charging for the first bag – this would relieve the carry on problem. Have a wonderful day – Cliff

  • http://www.ffocus.org Bruce InCharlotte

    You are making the false assumption that carriers with limits currently smaller than the mandate will INCREASE their size rather than simply stay the same, As it says in the proposed legislation “An air carrier may establish smaller size limits for carry-on baggage and a personal item than the limits set forth in this section.”

    The problem is not the boarding delays. How about Congress start mandating a deadline for NextGEN and let’s get a 21st century air traffic control system rather than the one we use now, which is overloaded and based on 50 year old technology?

  • Frank

    It would also require that TSA be in charge of enforcing the carry-on rules by using a template at security.
    Less noticed, perhaps, is the fact that the proposed bill would allow travelers who currently have bags at the limit to buy a new bag, or expand their current one, as the new limit would be 22 inches by 18 inches by 10 inches.

    But many domestic carriers now require bags to be smaller than that. American Airlines requires bags to be a maximum of 45 inches (length plus width plus height.) Delta Airlines and United Airlines set the limit as 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches.
    ============================================================

    I consider this GOOD NEWS. I wasnt sure of the measurements on my roll aboard, but I have a standard size Travelpro. I just measured it, it’s 9 x 15 x 22. The new limit of 18 inches is WIDER and will give MY rollaboard alittle bit more then an inch on each side to get through the template. HOWEVER, the new 10 inch height will barely get mine through as I do NOT stuff the side pockets. The TEMPLATE will, IMO, prevent the “oversized” and “overstuffed” bags from getting to the gate. I was disappointed that the templates disappeared, SHAME ON Continental for making this a competitive issue instead of a safety issue and fair one to all who have carry-ons.

    Templates coming back? GOOD!

  • Linda K.

    I don’t ever remember any airline checking carryons anyway. I’ve seen duffle bag type carryons that take up the whole bin and then those in the seats around it are busy looking for space other places. I only use one at the required measurements and have many times had to put it under the seat in front of me cause there was no space in the overheads. One time an older gentleman put his carryon bag in the bin, then his folded up overcoat next to that, and finally his hat next to that–taking the whole bin!! None of the flight attendants said anything to him as others were scrambling to find space in other bins. With the onset of the checked baggage fees, I see more and more large carryons and less space for everyone in the bins. If the airlines got serious about those with oversized carryons, there wouldn’t be such a problem in my opinion.

  • Frank

    Linda K. said None of the flight attendants said anything to him as others were scrambling to find space in other bins.
    ==========================================================

    I rarely say anything, because COMMON COURTESY is the responsibility of the passenger. Why invite an argument? We “hope” that the traveling public understands our repeated announcements onboard, that the flight is full and please consider placing an item UNDER your seat. What about the passenger with just one small bag? Should they sacrifice their legroom for YOUR rollaboard?
    I do know F/A’s who work in first class and watch those bins like hawks because coach passengers see those empty spaces and feel it’s OK to place items in first class. They remove the bag from first, follow the passengers back to coach and hand them their bag. Rude or Common courtesy?

  • der nhbayer

    Have you compared the overheads of those “old” 747 Boeings with the 330 or 340 Airbus? With the 747 you can just fit in ONE rollon per bin in the middle section and a small handbag. Airbus is more flyer friendly, you can even put your roll-on HEADSin into the bin, not across!
    Talking about seating, the 747 offers 3-4-3, the 777 a 2-5-2 seating, shudder!!! I dread the person sitting at the 747 window or 777 in the middle. Bathroom, can I bug you 2 folks to get out????
    In comparison I really love the Airbus 330 and 340s, all with 2-4-2 seating. Talk about comfort and space on long hauls.
    Sorry got with seating and space on a tangent, so much for US competitiveness.

  • http://www.alaskatravelgram.com Scott mcmurren

    Talk about MISSION CREEP. This is a ridiculous add-on to the TSA dictum of SECURING the flight. OMG. Stop the madness. Go back to the root problem of thievery and incompetence in the bag well and we’ll be one step closer to solving the problem. Now–the airlines are in the business of SELLING their lousy baggage service, so there’s an incentive to get more people to check more things, adding to the misery of the travel experience. I’ve already thrown out all the shaving cream and toothpaste in order to accommodate TSA rules. But this crap is ridiculous. NO on this bill.

  • Lyngengr

    This is a really good idea to limit the “bin hogs” we all loathe. I seriously doubt this will lead to people bringing on bigger bags because most of the problems I see are with luggage far larger than this new size limit. The 22 x 18 x 10 size is basically a briefcase, not a rollaboard. It will also get the FAs out of the bin police work, which I’m sure they will all be dissapointed to loose this responsibility.

  • Matthew from NYC

    I would love to see carryon bags standardized, provided the size is such that it allows three bags side by side wheels in first in the overhead bin of an aircraft. I am of the view that if it can’t fit wheels in into the overhead bin, it’s too big. This is especially important on short haul flights because people are often doing a daytrip or an overnight and don’t have enough gear to bother checking, the flights are also full more often these days. Everyone needs their bit of space, which means a third of the overhead bin directly above their seat and the space underneath the seat in front of them. Please don’t take more than your fair share!

  • Frank

    Two points. (1) If the airlines can set “smaller” baggage dimensions, I don’t see how there is any improvement. The traveler will probably still be stuck with different dimensional limits set by the various airline companies. (2) If TSA does the baggage check with a template, I think there will be a lot more overhead space–even if a larger-sized bag is permitted–because so many “over-the-size-limit” bags presently make it onto planes.

  • Scott

    OK, Airbus Shill. I have never seen anyone forced to check a normal-sized bag on a 747, even when every seat on the aircraft is full.

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  • Rick

    I do not agree with the TSA enforcing carry on bag sizes. This will only slow down the security screening. It also does not guarantee that a 22″ bag will actually fit in an overhead bin. Many overhead bins will not hold a bag in the handle out position that is more than 20″. Also, being able to bring a larger bag through security and gate checking the bag appears to be eliminated with TSA bag size checking. Why is the TSA proposing this check? What is the justification?

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  • MarkieA

    @Frank

    I think it is absolutely the FA’s role to enforce correct usage of carry-on space. The arguments tend to happen, in my experience, when fellow passengers try to confront one of these “overhead space hogs”. However, I have rarely seen an FA-enforced rule – or courtesy – develop into an argument. After all, if you argue with an FA, you’re likely to be removed from the plane for interfering with National Security or some such.

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  • Frank

    On June 22nd, 2009 at 6:24 am MarkieA said @Frank

    I think it is absolutely the FA’s role to enforce correct usage of carry-on space. The arguments tend to happen, in my experience, when fellow passengers try to confront one of these “overhead space hogs”
    =============================================================

    Your opinion is NOT shared by most flight attendants. Carry-on space is just that, carry-on space. There is NO RULE that requires you to place any item anywhere, other then a safety issue that you must abide by. Your bag can not inhibit egress into the aisle in the event of an emergency.
    MarkieA, please search any airline site, the FAA site, any site that would support your opinion, OTHER THEN, the flight attendants are there to ensure that carry on items are STOWED SAFELY.
    A flight attendant trying to remove a passenger from a flight, must involve the Captain, it’s HIS decision, not a flight attendants. And said, F/A better have a good excuse because LAWSUITS occur and/or airline legal departments get involved.

  • Frank

    further more, we encounter thousands of passengers per week. Imagine a CEO of a company coming onboard. He runs a multi-million dollar company on Park Ave. Has hundreds of employee kiss his behind. Now, here I am, a flight attendant TELLING HIM what to do with his bags. First, ego’s exist out there, secondly, people dont respect our intentions. Days are long enough, so why invite arguments with people who only think about themselves.
    Many flight attendants, including myself, make sure that bags are turned correctly in the bins to maximize size. Alot of passengers simply throw the bag up in the bin, having NO REGARD for their fellow passengers. We close the bins that are full.

  • chris

    TSA does not handle SFO; it is private security- that’s why they do it, since they’re serving as representatives of the airlines. TSA cannot enforce size limits on carry-on luggage itself; this mujst be accomplished by an airline representative.

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