How To Avoid Checking Your Carry-on At The Gate Before Flight

Last Updated:
Jan 25th, 2023 8:47 am

Tags:

SCORE
+1
1
0

Reply to ThreadReply

Search this thread

Search this thread

Jan 5th, 2023 8:06 pm

Armeee [OP]: Member; Apr 20, 2009; 380 posts; 121 upvotes; Ottawa

Jan 5th, 2023 8:06 pm

How To Avoid Checking Your Carry-on At The Gate Before Flight

So here's the thing.
Many people travel with a "carry-on" case to avoid checking baggage. Before, it was to avoid fees and now because who the hell knows where your luggage will end up.

On my last trip, we checked some bags and had a hard shell carry-on that I brought with me to the gate. Before our flight (WS) it was announced that everyone had to check their carry-on?? I did and never saw any of my luggage for 3 days.
A friend recently travelled to Vegas (WS) for a week with just a carry-on and no checked luggage. They forced her at the gate, before boarding, that she had to check her carry-on. And just like me she never saw her luggage for two days.
So, why all of a sudden, are they not allowing carry-ons?
This was always a choice when they announced at the gate for volunteers to check their carry-ons.
Is there anything we can do as passengers beyond insisting to the gate attendant that you want to keep your bag with you.
Any advice or solutions to this.?

Thanks

40 replies

Jan 5th, 2023 8:24 pm

GateGuardian: Deal Fanatic; Jan 12, 2005; 5132 posts; 1771 upvotes; Mississauga

Jan 5th, 2023 8:24 pm

Be the first one on the plane. There's not enough overhead bins space for everyone to bring a carry-on.

+10

Jan 5th, 2023 8:53 pm

Dhanushan: Temp. Banned; Jun 20, 2020; 17142 posts; 22932 upvotes; Toronto

Jan 5th, 2023 8:53 pm

Armeee wrote: ↑ So, why all of a sudden, are they not allowing carry-ons?

This article was posted recently...

More Canadians travelling light could result in passengers checking carry-on bags
https://toronto.citynews.ca/2022/12/28/ ... y-on-bags/

spike in air travellers resorting to taking their items with them onboard during the holiday season, it is more likely you’ll be asked to check in your carry-on due to limited space.

We’ve seen it before. A request to voluntarily check-in your bag at the gate free of charge as the bags begin to take up space in the overhead bins past the passengers that have already boarded.

But more tweets have been popping up of late, with many expressing frustration who had either voluntarily or forcibly checked in their carry-on bag. In some cases resulting in their bag not meeting them at their destination upon arrival.

Destiny is all

+1

Jan 5th, 2023 9:11 pm

StatsGuy: Deal Fanatic; Dec 20, 2018; 7687 posts; 6868 upvotes

Jan 5th, 2023 9:11 pm

This maybe why (not enough bin space) Porter is not including carry ons anymore for their cheapest fares and charging for it and forcing people to pay to bring a carry on

+1

Jan 5th, 2023 10:40 pm

MrDisco: Moderator; Sep 30, 2001; 29582 posts; 9131 upvotes; Toronto

Jan 5th, 2023 10:40 pm

Armeee wrote: ↑ Any advice or solutions to this.?

Buy premium economy (or higher) to get the on plane sooner and get a spot in the overhead bins.

Be kind and civil with one another

+7

Jan 7th, 2023 3:25 pm

Bb0231: Deal Addict; Nov 8, 2017; 2656 posts; 917 upvotes

Jan 7th, 2023 3:25 pm

GateGuardian wrote: ↑ Be the first one on the plane. There's not enough overhead bins space for everyone to bring a carry-on.

737NG

Jan 10th, 2023 10:53 am

gr8dlr: Deal Expert; Sep 1, 2005; 18559 posts; 13354 upvotes; Markham

Jan 10th, 2023 10:53 am

I've rarely seen "forced" checking of carry on, only volunteer your bag.

I really wished airlines would enforce their own rules. Ppl bring oversized carry on and oversized backpacks etc. Size limits and number and size of bags should be enforced. Frustrates me to no end to see ppl with huge ass bags going in as a carryon. They need to enforce sizing and charging extra for for checking it at the gate because they are over the size limits. Every seat should be allotted one space in the overhead compartments corresponding to your seat number - that's it.

Airlines are part of the problem.

We're all bozos on the bus until we find a way to express ourselves...

Failure is always an option...just not the preferred one!

+8

Jan 19th, 2023 9:24 am

Deals Deals Deals: Deal Addict; Dec 28, 2006; 2963 posts; 1117 upvotes

Jan 19th, 2023 9:24 am

The worst part is people stuffing their jackets and small purses and backpacks up there when they can go under the seat or be held in the lap like a jacket during takeoff. Some will argue they paid for it but this results in others struggling to find room for their carry on suitcase which can't fit under the seats.

And people placing their carry on flat instead of vertical...

+3

Jan 19th, 2023 9:59 am

Swerny: Deal Expert; Oct 5, 2008; 17007 posts; 12408 upvotes; Toronto

Jan 19th, 2023 9:59 am

Rant on.

Airlines need to do better with baggage allowance, personal items, suitcase size etc.

Every time I'm flying to a Caribbean location, someone is getting on with a full roller bag, Canada Goose Parka, as well as a gigantic "personal item".

+4

Jan 19th, 2023 10:39 am

PointsHubby: Deal Expert; Feb 7, 2017; 23535 posts; 22497 upvotes; Eastern Ontario

Jan 19th, 2023 10:39 am

gr8dlr wrote: ↑ I've rarely seen "forced" checking of carry on, only volunteer your bag.

I really wished airlines would enforce their own rules. Ppl bring oversized carry on and oversized backpacks etc. Size limits and number and size of bags should be enforced. Frustrates me to no end to see ppl with huge ass bags going in as a carryon. They need to enforce sizing and charging extra for for checking it at the gate because they are over the size limits. Every seat should be allotted one space in the overhead compartments corresponding to your seat number - that's it.

Airlines are part of the problem.

100% this

Occasionally Air Canada does their part …
And rolls out the “Does your carry on fit” frame
And then goes around putting YES Stickers on those that do
Those that don’t have to check it …
Although it’s primarily Gate Checked = No Fee

Makes sense … those that do it right
Get the convenience of having their carry on at their fingertips
Others have to wait for their bags

What irks me …
Is not only have travellers gotten to taken bigger pieces than allowed
But the new trend seems to be … TWO big @-SS pieces
Instead of one pc of carry on + one smaller personal item
So hauling on like 3 things … not 2

I say NIP THAT IN THE BUD … NOW !!!
It’s downright abuse of the rules
And inconveniences everyone else in multiple ways

+3

Jan 19th, 2023 11:10 am

speedyforme: Deal Guru; Dec 11, 2008; 11383 posts; 2325 upvotes

Jan 19th, 2023 11:10 am

Carryons are the worst. They cause so much delay for people getting onto the flight. Not to mention ppl put their carryons in overheads that arent even above their seat.

Personally I think anything that is NOT an actual carryon luggage should not be allowed in overhead. This includes jackets, purses, backpacks and other bags.

+4

Jan 19th, 2023 11:24 am

Piro21: Deal Expert; Nov 15, 2004; 20618 posts; 4345 upvotes; Toronto

Jan 19th, 2023 11:24 am

I avoid having to check my luggage by carrying a backpack that fits within the dimensions of the carry-on size checker, which I stow under the seat. I don't use the overhead compartments at all.

Jan 19th, 2023 11:33 am

kasios: Newbie; May 24, 2008; 20 posts; 6 upvotes

Jan 19th, 2023 11:33 am

The last flight I was on with Westject on Dec 20. YVR to YYC. The gate agent happily advertised gate checked bags are free and there were quite a few volunteers. Get to YYC and none of the checked bags show up lol

Jan 19th, 2023 2:25 pm

sujac: Member; Jan 13, 2008; 219 posts; 148 upvotes; Toronto

Jan 19th, 2023 2:25 pm

Piro21 wrote: ↑ I avoid having to check my luggage by carrying a backpack that fits within the dimensions of the carry-on size checker, which I stow under the seat. I don't use the overhead compartments at all.

Some of the seats (the ones by the washroom) do not have a seat in front of them to put your belongings under. They just have the small pocket attached to the wall. You HAVE to store all belongings in the overhead, purse, jacket etc. They tell you that you have to wear the jacket or store it during take-off, you cannot have it on your lap.

Jan 19th, 2023 2:33 pm

Dynatos: Deal Addict; Oct 24, 2010; 2655 posts; 2656 upvotes; Ottawa

Jan 19th, 2023 2:33 pm

We travel with 2 kids and 2 car seats.

Other than the car seats, we don't carry on anything that can't fit under the seats in front of us because we just don't have the arms to carry everything while herding two kids on-board.

Lately, we've been traveling with 3 small backpacks (mine with my work laptop, my son's toy bag, and a diaper bag) and my wife's purse, all of which easily fits under the seats.

Jan 19th, 2023 6:59 pm

knuks101: Deal Addict; Jan 31, 2013; 1662 posts; 437 upvotes; Red Deer, AB

Jan 19th, 2023 6:59 pm

speedyforme wrote: ↑ Carryons are the worst. They cause so much delay for people getting onto the flight. Not to mention ppl put their carryons in overheads that arent even above their seat.

Personally I think anything that is NOT an actual carryon luggage should not be allowed in overhead. This includes jackets, purses, backpacks and other bags.

We have Osprey 40 travel backpacks that fit the dimensions of most carry on requirements, and yes, we put them in the overhead bins.

Jan 19th, 2023 7:03 pm

cocreg: Member; Sep 1, 2015; 277 posts; 96 upvotes

Jan 19th, 2023 7:03 pm

knuks101 wrote: ↑ We have Osprey 40 travel backpacks that fit the dimensions of most carry on requirements, and yes, we put them in the overhead bins.

Same here. Never bothered with my Osprey carry on and have small personal item for under seat.

Jan 19th, 2023 7:14 pm

l69norm: Deal Expert; Jun 12, 2007; 18939 posts; 6121 upvotes; London

Jan 19th, 2023 7:14 pm

Last Sun morning ( 7AM Jan 15) YYC T1 was doing mandatory strict / enforced carry on size check at the end of the check-in aisle. I saw a few people get sent back to check-in for being oversized by a minor amount

I can't see them doing it on a weekday as they were pretty slow. There was a huge queue going from all the way through the check-in aisle to almost the terminal front doors

+1

Jan 20th, 2023 8:32 am

PointsHubby: Deal Expert; Feb 7, 2017; 23535 posts; 22497 upvotes; Eastern Ontario

Jan 20th, 2023 8:32 am

l69norm wrote: ↑ Last Sun morning ( 7AM Jan 15) YYC T1 was doing mandatory strict / enforced carry on size check at the end of the check-in aisle. I saw a few people get sent back to check-in for being oversized by a minor amount

I can't see them doing it on a weekday as they were pretty slow. There was a huge queue going from all the way through the check-in aisle to almost the terminal front doors

I got rerouted thru YYC at one point during the Christmas Holidays …
When everything everywhere was delayed or cancelled
And …
AC wheeled out their Does It Fit frame at the gate

So for sure it’s not just restricted to slow times at that airport

They were already calling for Carry On Gate Check Volunteers
As our flight was already pretty full
And there were at least 10 people standing around hoping to get on it as stand-bys
No doubt having been bumped off of other flights … or cuz of connections having been missed etc
So space was very much at a premium

I overheard a bit of the convo
If someone had not already volunteered (we had early on )
And their stuff was oversized … even by a smidge
There was no 2 ways about it …
Air Canada was making them Gate Check

I say good on them !!!

Jan 21st, 2023 5:18 pm

StatsGuy: Deal Fanatic; Dec 20, 2018; 7687 posts; 6868 upvotes

Jan 21st, 2023 5:18 pm

kasios wrote: ↑ The last flight I was on with Westject on Dec 20. YVR to YYC. The gate agent happily advertised gate checked bags are free and there were quite a few volunteers. Get to YYC and none of the checked bags show up lol

how do you know they didn't show up? did you volunteer? they end up at baggage carousel if you gate check nowadays ...in past they used to bring them upto the jetway from what i remember.

Reply to Thread

Top

Thread Information

There is currently 1 user viewing this thread. (0 members and 1 guest)