Luggage wars. Carry ons became much more prevalent, so people shifted from larger luggage they had to check to carryon bags. So overhead space became too crowded. Thus the airlines had to institute carryon rules. And still charge you for checking baggage.
Current policies seem to be 1 rolling suitcase and one “personal item” that can fit under a seat per person, additional bags checked. American charged $25 for first checked bag, $30 for second checked bag. Southwest gave IIRC first 2 checked bags free. Of course, my checked bag had already flown American.
One more reason I’m learning to travel light and fit everything in a small backpack… I had to fit it under the seat on my last flight (or surrender it to the No-Really-We-Promise-It-Won’t-Slow-You-Down gestapo).
Of course, my best flight was this weekend, when I had a NON-flight. I decided to drive cross-country to a conference. Took a long audiobook and a list of NPR stations, and had some much-needed solitude.
I figured with TSA pat-downs and gate changes and delayed flights, I made it there in the same amount of time. Without breathing any airplane air.