The Arizona Republic has an interesting story about airline passengers trying to cram as much stuff into their carry-on luggage as possible to avoid checked-bag fees. That in itself was nothing revolutionary. But a few things stuck out to me:
1. Cheapskate passengers are slowing up the laborious boarding process for everyone else because, while they can afford airline tickets, they’re too cheap and inconsiderate to check their bags.
2. Unfortunately, these self-centered skinflints are getting away with it. Heck, they should have to pay double the check bag fees for doing it at the gate. Airlines must CLOSE THIS LOOPHOLE.
3. PR consultant Melissa Rein, who is quoted in the story, apparently can’t live without half of her closet when she travels. And she’s pretty unabashed at saying she scoffs at the system. Honey, you need to work for a better PR agency that will pay you enough to afford check your bags. Or better yet … be less high-maintenance and leave a few things at home when you want to get away from it all. “She ignored fellow passengers’ eye rolls as her boyfriend stuffed the garment bag into the overhead bin,” reporter Dawn Gilbertson wrote. Dude, you picked a real winner there – like Paris Hilton, but without the inheritance. Definitely living up to the PR twit stereotype that news reporters so love to skewer (and I have no doubt Dawn was delighted to write that line).
4. Emily Wold, mother of five kids, played by the rules. She got her kids luggage that was within the carry-on limitations. And it sounds like they did most of the carrying. That’s within the letter and spirit of the policies. Smart. Considerate. Disciplined. Thrifty. Good on ya, Emily.
5. Don’t be a jerk. If you can afford airline tickets, hotel rooms and meals, DO NOT cry to me about the checked bag fees. And don’t screw up the boarding process for the rest of us. The planet doesn’t revolve around you. What makes you so special that you should get to clog overhead bins at the expense of other people traveling lighter, but getting on the plane later?
6. A good chunk of the reader comments amount to “just fly Southwest.” Um, yeah. Great. Does Southwest fly international? No? Oh. Well, that’s not gonna work for a lot of us who want to go past Disneyland. Southwest is pretty darn good, but also very, very limited.
I suppose this is a real way to weasel out of paying the checked bag fee. If you’re okay with being a complete jackass, feel free to use it. Let’s hope the airlines shut this down for good now that this story is out.
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See, Andy and I do carry-on (even internationally) because we take buses and trains and big suitcases are a total hassle to lug around. And why check a carry-on bag if you don’t have to? If everyone stays within the size limits, there’s enough room.
Having said that, people should pack as little as possible so that they can hoist their bags into the overhead bins. If you can’t lift it, check it!
I’m totally about carry-on stuff that plays by the rules. And I know what you mean – I don’t even own a suitcase, just duffel bags and backpacks.
But I’m still vehemently against knowing that your stuff is way oversized and trying to squeeze it in, anyway, and pitching a fit when you get caught. That’s the royal, editorial “you”, of course.
These cheapskate passengers should definitely pay up for for their checked bag fees. They cause so much trouble when boarding as well as when in the parties.