Too Many Jam Sessions

Happy, harried holidays. ‘Tis the season when air travelers jam overhead bins with presents like microwave ovens, a time that drives home the perennial problem of carry-on overload that makes flights a struggle for all of us.

The Federal Aviation Administration is now taking public comment on draft guidelines on carry-ons. The best solution would set industrywide standards for carry-ons. Pilot and flight attendant organizations support that approach.

At present, airlines are free to develop and enforce their own carry-on policies, subject to FAA approval. But enforcement is lax and aggravated by carriers adding more seats with no expansion of overhead bins. Bigger and heavier wheeled carry-ons add to the crunch.

Safety becomes an issue. Items falling from overhead bins conk more than 4,000 passengers annually and pose dangerous situations for crew members in emergencies. Also, last-minute cabin scrambles delay some takeoffs.

The FAA’s draft rules suggest a limit of two pieces of cabin luggage with a total weight of no more than 20 pounds. Carriers, meanwhile, are implementing their own rules. Northwest Airlines last month began limiting economy-class passengers to one carry-on bag plus a purse, laptop computer or briefcase. Fine, but first- and business-class passengers and frequent fliers are exempt from the new rule. United Airlines has begun an experiment on some flights limiting passengers who pay the lowest excursion fares to a single carry-on bag.

One hitch in the goal of standardization is overall passenger distrust of the airlines’ baggage handling. Travelers want guarantees that checked bags will arrive at the carousel on time, without damage and with no items missing.

The FAA is expected to issue final guidelines this spring. If the result is uniform, fair and clear, passengers will adapt.

To Take Action: Address comments to AFS-200, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20591.