# Airlines: Overhead Compartment Filled **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 15, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610 "2018-03-15T15:54:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/21 "2018-03-15T19:30:34Z")
I fly Southwest (no bag fee) and I check EVERYTHING. Ideally I fly with a tiny purse holding phone, wallet, battery. I have no idea why people take perverse pride in pushing the limits on carry-ons. For my money, the speed and convience created by not having to watch my STUFF (Especially if I have a layover) far exceeds the inconvenience if having to wait by a carousel at the end. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/22 "2018-03-15T19:42:33Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > If it’s United, maybe you can’t put your bag in the overhead bin because it’s [full of dead dogs](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/14/593479827/dog-dies-in-overhead-bin-on-united-flight-airline-apologizes). 😕☹ Holy shit that is awful. That is so bizarre though. What actually caused the dog to die? It was in a pet carrier and the overhead compartments are pressurized the same as the cabin. Did it actually die because of United or did it just happen to die then and would have also if it were under the seat? ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/23 "2018-03-15T19:57:11Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > 😕☹ Holy shit that is awful. That is so bizarre though. What actually caused the dog to die? It was in a pet carrier and the overhead compartments are pressurized the same as the cabin. Did it actually die because of United or did it just happen to die then and would have also if it were under the seat? It was in a soft kennel. You know that warning you get upon landing: “Be careful opening the overhead bin because items may have shifted”? Heavier luggage probably shifted, effectively crushing him to the point that he could not breath. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/24 "2018-03-15T20:07:03Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > I fly Southwest (no bag fee) and I check EVERYTHING. Many people don’t have access to Southwest and/or they don’t fly where you want to go. Also, with Southwest if you get bumped or your flight is canceled they will only put you on another Southwest flight which may mean a long delay, possibly days, which some folks aren’t willing to accept. Non-budget airlines will book you on another carrier if needed. Pretty much everyone else charges a fee for checked baggage and some folks are irrationally against checking bags because they don’t want the give the airline any more money. The biggest two reasons for me are if you’re making connections and want to ensure your bags make it to your final destination then a carry on is the best way. It also speeds your trip since you don’t need to visit baggage claim and wait for your plane to be unloaded. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/25 "2018-03-15T20:16:46Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Pretty much everyone else charges a fee for checked baggage and some folks are irrationally against checking bags because they don’t want the give the airline any more money. This. I think it’s not “look how much I managed to carry on with me!”, it’s “I refuse to pay extra to check a bag.” (And, secondarily, “I don’t want to wait an extra 20 minutes for my luggage to show up at baggage claim.”) That said, most airlines have rules on the maximum size for a carry-on bag (and often have sizers located at the gate for this purpose), but I rarely see those rules enforced. And, even with Southwest, though they don’t charge you to check luggage, they do make you pay more (either a Business Select Fare, or an Early Bird Check In fee) if you want to be among the first on the plane (since they don’t assign seats). Fly on a few Southwest flights, and you realize that, if you don’t do one of those things, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be in the C boarding group, and probably stuck in a middle seat. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/26 "2018-03-15T22:42:01Z")
I think they should offer 1 free checked bag and charge for a carry on. It would solve so many issues with overhead space. When I was traveling for collectable card game events, my carry on could easily have $50k in inventory. ‘Do you want to check your bag’ ‘Hell no, it would be handcuffed to me if that didn’t draw suspicion.’ ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/27 "2018-03-15T22:51:51Z")
> [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](#): > > I would honestly prefer if airlines completely removed the overhead bins. Or if they have to have them because of the small amount of emergency equipment, fill the rest of the space with dead dogs. I’m pretty sure you could board/deboard an airplane in five minutes or less without them. A plane full of dead dogs would almost certainly make people depart more quickly, but I bet you lose those savings and more in boarding, especially during the summer months. > [@Telemark](#): > > Of course it is, it always has been. As mentioned above, it’s in direct response to people booking flights based on the lowest advertised price and nothing else. If you are willing to do a little legwork you can make these policies and fees work to your advantage, but most folks are not willing to make that extra effort. Flights are still cheaper than they’ve ever been. It’s only partly because of comparison shopping. It’s also because there are additional taxes on the sale of airline tickets (7.5%), but no additional taxes on the various extra fees. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/28 "2018-03-15T22:56:29Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > United, at least, does offer this level of fare – they call it “[Basic Economy](https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/basic-economy.aspx).” With that fare, you’re only allowed a carry-on if you put it under the seat in front of you. You also aren’t allowed to select your own seat, you’re in the last boarding group, and other minor indignities. American has the same thing… I know because my wife booked me on one at this rate for a quick get away. Since it was a there one day, back the next it wasn’t a big deal since I just used one small back pack. Last boarding group so no overhead space. They made it clear that if you had to gate check there would be the baggage fee plus a gate check fee. You are also only allowed ONE item, and they mean it. No backpack and a computer bag. I had to pack my laptop in the backpack with my cloths. Also the under seat carry on size is smaller than the overhead size. I did pay an extra $15 to reserve a seat at check-in so I didn’t really care that I was in the last boarding group. I did kindly ask my wife to never book that fare again, especially if it is for anything longer than one night. Other regular flights I’ve never had a problem finding overhead space, and if the flight is full and they are concerned they usually offer free gate checks. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/29 "2018-03-15T23:09:16Z")
If you think tipping threads are fun on the SDMB, then you should see the travel messages boards with carry on vs checked baggage. I do wish the non-discount domestic carriers would call a truce over the stupid checked bag fees. US domestic air travel has gotten so utterly miserable that I do try to avoid it. I haven’t booked a domestic leisure trip in a few years, I don’t have to travel for work, so the only domestic air travel I do is for arm twisted family meets. I am stunned how dogmatic carry on only travelers can be. They’re either going on bad information from when their 3rd cousin twice removed had their baggage end up in Bangkok back in 1976 Or, perhaps they’re a Rick Steves groupie who preaches carry on only, even for a 3 week trip to Europe. Sorry, for me, unless it is just a weekend trip to a warm weather destination, I’m checking a bag. For an international trip, I always assume I’ll be doing laundry in the middle of the trip, but at least I can spend as little time as possible dealing with that hassle. Pick up and delivery laundry services have made this task much easier. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/30 "2018-03-16T00:10:41Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Would there be any stopping one from using a overhead bin? It seems more like it’s just the last group to board so no overhead space can be expected. The non-elite Basic Economy passengers board in Group 5 (the last group to board). They moved all the former Group 5 people to Group 4. So the gate agent scanning the boarding passes won’t let you on with a large bag if you are in Group 5. However, there is nothing (except lack of space) keeping you from placing your “personal item” in the overhead bin. Note that elite travelers and Mileage Plus credit card holders still board in Groups 1 and 2. So they can carry on a larger bag to fit in the overhead. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/31 "2018-03-16T00:40:14Z")
I’m with **Dinsdale**. I’m willing to pay a little extra, at least domestically, to not deal with any of this. I fly first class whenever possible. Internationally is usually out of my reach unfortunately. I always check. I hate dealing with overhead bins. I don’t like running around airports to make connections with suitcases.In hundreds of thousands of miles flown, I’ve had 2 “lost” bags, and even those were just delayed. I’ve never had a bag truly lost. FWIW, while we’re putting it out there, I loathe Delta, and United can suck it. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/32 "2018-03-16T18:11:13Z")
Since I turned 75 I have always claimed, “Need extra time to board”, although I actually don’t. But I pay for seats with extra leg room and my wife’s and my carry-ons are much smaller than the small suitcases people now bring on board. We also pay to check on bag each, so I don’t feel I am cheating anyone. I hate airlines and I hate airports even more. We are flying to Barbados tomorrow, but if there some other reasonable way to get there… ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/33 "2018-03-16T19:18:15Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > And, even with Southwest, though they don’t charge you to check luggage, they do make you pay more (either a Business Select Fare, or an Early Bird Check In fee) if you want to be among the first on the plane (since they don’t assign seats). Fly on a few Southwest flights, and you realize that, if you don’t do one of those things, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be in the C boarding group, and probably stuck in a middle seat. If you are careful to get a boarding pass 24 hours before, I’ve found that I can pretty much always get into the middle Bs at worst. Since SW does have free checked bags, the overhead bins are a lot freer. I was just on two and while they were over 70% full they did not make the check carry on announcement. They do for fuller flights. Early Bird is $15, which is cheap enough if you aren’t going to be able to check in 24 hours ahead. Business select I don’t understand the point of. They get A1-15, but judging from the last few flights I’ve been on almost no one takes it, and so your actual boarding position is better than what your number says. SW is about the only airline company that has never pissed me off, and I fly them a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/34 "2018-03-16T19:20:23Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > I think more airlines have pushed back on this. They’ll gate check for free if they’re out of space, but they’ll charge you if the bag is just straight up too big to be a carry-on. The exception that proves the rule is Lufthansa. They carefully measured my carry on at check in and put an approved sticker on it, and there was a guy at the gate weighing and measuring unapproved carry-ons. But mostly they don’t pay any attention. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/35 "2018-03-16T19:22:10Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Would there be any stopping one from using a overhead bin? It seems more like it’s just the last group to board so no overhead space can be expected. Allegiant, who also does this, has zones in the plane. If you are in the no carry-on zone, you can’t put anything in the bin. They do check. I suspect Spirit is the same way. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/36 "2018-03-16T19:30:53Z")
Many airlines charge for onboard baggage as well as checked baggage. That has taken away some of the incentive to squeeze it all onboard. Spirit, in fact, charges five MORE dollars for an onboard bag than it does for a checked bag. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/37 "2018-03-16T20:00:36Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > 😕☹ Holy shit that is awful. That is so bizarre though. What actually caused the dog to die? It was in a pet carrier and the overhead compartments are pressurized the same as the cabin. Did it actually die because of United or did it just happen to die then and would have also if it were under the seat? My first guess is asphyxiation. The overhead compartment isn’t sealed airtight with gaskets or anything, but when it’s closed, there’s no meaningful air exchange going on. Over time, [CO2 builds up to dangerous levels,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypercapnia) and the dog dies (CO2 buildup, not oxygen depletion, was the big hazard during [Apollo 13’s return flight](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_13#/media/File:Apollo13_apparatus.jpg)). ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/38 "2018-03-16T20:12:21Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > This. I think it’s not “look how much I managed to carry on with me!”, it’s “I refuse to pay extra to check a bag.” (And, secondarily, “I don’t want to wait an extra 20 minutes for my luggage to show up at baggage claim.”) > [@Jasmine](#): > > Many airlines charge for onboard baggage as well as checked baggage. That has taken away some of the incentive to squeeze it all onboard. Spirit, in fact, charges five MORE dollars for an onboard bag than it does for a checked bag. To not have to wait at bag claim & guarantee that my bag doesn’t get lost (because it’s always with me) is worth more than $5 to me. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/39 "2018-03-16T21:30:30Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > My first guess is asphyxiation. The overhead compartment isn’t sealed airtight with gaskets or anything, but when it’s closed, there’s no meaningful air exchange going on. Over time, [CO2 builds up to dangerous levels,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypercapnia) and the dog dies (CO2 buildup, not oxygen depletion, was the big hazard during [Apollo 13’s return flight](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_13#/media/File:Apollo13_apparatus.jpg)). Also, short-nosed breeds like French Bulldogs are more susceptible to suffocation. They have a hard enough time breathing even under normal circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2018, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610/40 "2018-03-16T21:42:43Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > The exception that proves the rule is Lufthansa. They carefully measured my carry on at check in and put an approved sticker on it, and there was a guy at the gate weighing and measuring unapproved carry-ons. > But mostly they don’t pay any attention. European budget airlines are also brutal about this. Easyjet and Ryanair will certainly measure carry on bags. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airlines-overhead-compartment-filled/810610.md?page=3)