Cabin bags taken at the gate

jackieblack

As a result of more and more passengers taking the maximum sized cabin bags, most airlines now seem to issue warnings that if the flight is full, some passengers (usually those towards the end of boarding) may not be able to take their cabin bags with them into the cabin, due to lack of sufficient space in overhead lockers.

If you are one of the unlucky ones who are then forced to give up your cabin bag at the gate, is there any greater likelihood that your cabin bag will arrive at the same time/destination than there is that your hold luggage will? Do they get put directly into a separate compartment in the plane? or just disappear into the black hole of the great baggage system and go in with the hold luggage? (I’m talking about transatlantic flights on planes such as 747/777/787, A380 etc, with airlines such as BA/AA/VA/Delta etc, not Easyjet/Ryanair, in case it makes a difference.)

I usually take a smallish backpack as my hand luggage, mainly containing a change of clothes and overnight things (in case my hold baggage is delayed/goes astray) any electronics (iPad, sat nav, camera etc and their various chargers), headphones and a couple of books.

My passport/money etc is in my normal handbag, which would not be large enough to hold anything I might be able to quickly retrieve from my backpack, should I have to relinquish it.

I’m wondering if I need to rethink my packing strategy and start taking a much bigger handbag (as big as size limits allow) to take more of the items that I would normally put in my backpack, ‘just in case’ ...

elsien

If your backpack is within the size limits (including wheels and handle) there shouldn't be an issue. The only ones I've seen put in the hold are those which either wouldn't fit in the measuring thing, or had a bit sticking out the top.
Flybe were checking the cases on wheels but waved my Day pack through without a second glance.
I generally leave enough room that I can shove my handbag in the Day pack if needed then call that my handbag.

jackieblack

elsien wrote: »

If your backpack is within the size limits (including wheels and handle) there shouldn't be an issue. The only ones I've seen put in the hold are those which either wouldn't fit in the measuring thing, or had a bit sticking out the top.
Flybe were checking the cases on wheels but waved my Day pack through without a second glance.

But this isn’t about the size (it’s well within size for all the airlines I’ve ever flown with and, as you say, usually barely gets a cursory glance), it’s those occasions where all the overhead bins are full and there’s no more capacity for those who have not yet boarded.

A friend was on a flight a few weeks ago where, halfway through boarding, an announcement was made at the gate that the overhead lockers were full and no more cabin bags could be taken on board. Everyone still waiting to board had to relinquish their bag to gate staff.

elsien wrote: »

I generally leave enough room that I can shove my handbag in the Day pack if needed then call that my handbag.

The size limit for handbags is smaller than the backpack.

soolin

elsien wrote: »

If your backpack is within the size limits (including wheels and handle) there shouldn't be an issue. The only ones I've seen put in the hold are those which either wouldn't fit in the measuring thing, or had a bit sticking out the top.
Flybe were checking the cases on wheels but waved my Day pack through without a second glance.
I generally leave enough room that I can shove my handbag in the Day pack if needed then call that my handbag.

All the airlines now reserve the right to start putting items in the hold when the overhead lockers are full, it has nothing to do with size, that's a different issue. This doesn't affect baggage that fits under the seat in front, so large handbags or very squash able rucksacks are generally allowed, however, on all flights I've used in the past couple of years or more when the plane lockers are deemed to be 'full' all other luggage that is too large for going under a seat goes in the hold. There is a finite capacity for luggage on board in the over head lockers and once it is full, it's full.

OP, check out each airline when you use them, can you pay for any form of speedy boarding, or guaranteed overhead locker storage when you book? If not, or if the cost is too high just make sure you carry a large carrier bag or something and if they want your luggage to go into the hold take out everything you need and carry it on board to go under the seat in front of you.

eDicky

jackieblack wrote: »

(I’m talking about transatlantic flights on planes such as 747/777/787, A380 etc, with airlines such as BA/AA/VA/Delta etc, not Easyjet/Ryanair, in case it makes a difference.).

As far as I know, those larger planes for long haul flights rarely if ever lack enough bin space to hold everyone's cabin bags.

At least, I've never seen cabin bags being taken from passengers on long haul flights and I always make a point of boarding as late as possible so I think I would notice.

However, I've not traveled transatlantic for some years so it may have become necessary there.
Otherwise I think it's common only on short haul budget airline flights where everyone is trying to avoid checked luggage fees by carrying it on board.

I rarely carry a bag that's too big to go underseat, if I do I'm quite happy for it to be put in the hold for free, and usually volunteer anyway. It is tagged and given directly at the gate or on the tarmac to the loaders who put it in with the checked luggage, there's only one luggage hold. Be sure not to leave anything valuable in a bag for the 'final check' by the guy inside the hold receiving the load.

Soot2006

In my experience they prefer to take hard cases rather than squishy bags that are not secure or easily movable. They'll always prefer to pull a case than carry away a backpack.



I travelled with a bag with a broken zip (not intentionally; it broke while packing that morning)). They wanted to take it off me and I complied, but then something fell out of the gaping zip hole, so they told me to keep it, and went to retrieve one that had already been boarded. Bit embarrassing but useful info for the future ....

maman

It's happened to me but it's usually because the overhead lockers are full. If OP has a rucksack that fits under the seat then it shouldn't be a problem.

All I would add is if your hand luggage is taken to the hold, do remember to remove valuables, passport etc and keep those with you.

freyasmum

I fly every couple of weeks and deliberately use a backpack to avoid this.

The wheeled suitcases are regularly taken to the hold, probably about halfway to two-thirds through boarding, but I usually hang around till the end of the flight and am fine to take my backpack.

As far as I'm aware, they're taken right down to the ground crew who load them onto the plane so they should certainly arrive at the same destination as you... however, as mentioned, I would ensure that I had removed all valuables before giving up my case.

katejo

jackieblack wrote: »

As a result of more and more passengers taking the maximum sized cabin bags, most airlines now seem to issue warnings that if the flight is full, some passengers (usually those towards the end of boarding) may not be able to take their cabin bags with them into the cabin, due to lack of sufficient space in overhead lockers.

If you are one of the unlucky ones who are then forced to give up your cabin bag at the gate, is there any greater likelihood that your cabin bag will arrive at the same time/destination than there is that your hold luggage will? Do they get put directly into a separate compartment in the plane? or just disappear into the black hole of the great baggage system and go in with the hold luggage? (I’m talking about transatlantic flights on planes such as 747/777/787, A380 etc, with airlines such as BA/AA/VA/Delta etc, not Easyjet/Ryanair, in case it makes a difference.)

I usually take a smallish backpack as my hand luggage, mainly containing a change of clothes and overnight things (in case my hold baggage is delayed/goes astray) any electronics (iPad, sat nav, camera etc and their various chargers), headphones and a couple of books.

My passport/money etc is in my normal handbag, which would not be large enough to hold anything I might be able to quickly retrieve from my backpack, should I have to relinquish it.

I’m wondering if I need to rethink my packing strategy and start taking a much bigger handbag (as big as size limits allow) to take more of the items that I would normally put in my backpack, ‘just in case’ ...

I always take a daysac small enough to fit under the seat in front so that I don't need space in the overhead lockers. There are things in the daysac which I don't want to put in the hold (eg. medication, camera, travel documents etc. or lithium batteries which we are not allowed to put in the hold). Apart from the daysac, I only have a money belt/pouch.