On checking everything, a possible contra thought: there was the time my wife and I were celebrating Christmas and New Year in Connemara, Ireland, but my checked bag decided, perhaps wisely, to instead spend the holidays in Merida, Mexico.
"We rose, leisurely strolled to the gate, and, unhurried and unencumbered, took our seats on the plane." One can also get this blissful feeling by being a first-class traveler who can board at any time with nary a worry of stowing anything since the concierge/attendant will handle all the impedimenta. However, of course, the real benefit to flying first class is to board, well, "first," so one can gaze serenely, with a slight twitch of the head and a faintly bemused smile, as the lumpenproletariat scrabbles toward the rear.
I can’t afford to fly business, but I usually fly premium economy, and you are absolutely right that part of the appeal of the more expensive seats is being able to sit comfortably, watching a movie, while everyone else straggles on.
Sipping champagne while watching a movie, gently raising a finger from time to time, asking portentously, "Steward/Stewardess, might one request more of the warm roasted macadamia nuts?"
I've always been team carry-on, with a bag small enough for under the seat. Especially when travelling to a destination (I'm much more agreeable to check a bag when returning home.) The reason is that if you lose your bag going out, you're really screwed. By the time you get your bag back, the interview/wedding/bus/boat has happened, and there you are in your tee-shirt and sandals wishing you had your luggage. It's happened to me enough times that I won't risk it again.
This makes sense. In fact, on my trip to London last week I did the same as you: I took a carry-on that was small enough to fit under the seat on the way there, but I checked it on the way back.
I feel obligated to report that for some reason I've not yet found, the airlines *really* want you to come with carry-on luggage. We've just finished a trip to Virginia, and the planes proudly boasted the new-and-improved large overhead carry-on bins. Roller bags are placed in on their sides, and stack efficiently. Each flight was 100% full, and nobody begged us at the gate to check our bags, and there was clearly *lots* of extra space in the bins when they were closed for takeoff.
As you know, because you saw the visible evidence, Arthur and I had quite a bit of luggage after our three month stay in Spain (and one week in Bern--thank you!). It was so nice to check our luggage and be done with it, though Swiss Air charged us $70 each for our two extra bags. Ouch! They were free on American. And perhaps that's part of the problem--the rules are different for every airline and sometimes for every route. How can a traveler keep it all straight? However, we could afford the luggage charges and the cost was worth it for the peace of mind and ease of travel.
The French Connection?!?!?! Yes! Such an awesome movie. RIP Gene Hackman. He was one of the greats.
Whoa—$70 per bag is insane! You are right that the complexity and lack of coordination further incentivizes people not to check their bags—because who knows what they will have to pay? No wonder everyone tries to take carry-on.
My sister recently flew from the UK to attend her nephew’s wedding, she has had the lost bag experience before so packed her wedding outfit into her carry on bag just in case. She was fortunate that all her bags arrived safely, but the knowledge that she had the outfit with her gave her peace of mind.
I seldom fly but when I do the seasoned travelers are so mean. They are impatient with people with handicaps or low vision. I know they hate anyone not as experienced as them. They are looking and judging. I'm not tall and I've had taller travelers reach over me in exasperation as I struggle and then I hear their disdainful quiet snorts. For these reasons I have always checked all baggage, wait until the tall people have lined up at baggage claim (or they reach over me) and I wait until the luggage belt stops to retrieve mine.
Yeah, the stress of travel can bring out the worst in people. I am tall (as you know), and in my opinion it is incumbent on tall people to help shorter people with their bags, and just with reaching things in general.
On checking everything, a possible contra thought: there was the time my wife and I were celebrating Christmas and New Year in Connemara, Ireland, but my checked bag decided, perhaps wisely, to instead spend the holidays in Merida, Mexico.
Ha! Oh dear! I like your sense of humor about it though!
"We rose, leisurely strolled to the gate, and, unhurried and unencumbered, took our seats on the plane." One can also get this blissful feeling by being a first-class traveler who can board at any time with nary a worry of stowing anything since the concierge/attendant will handle all the impedimenta. However, of course, the real benefit to flying first class is to board, well, "first," so one can gaze serenely, with a slight twitch of the head and a faintly bemused smile, as the lumpenproletariat scrabbles toward the rear.
I can’t afford to fly business, but I usually fly premium economy, and you are absolutely right that part of the appeal of the more expensive seats is being able to sit comfortably, watching a movie, while everyone else straggles on.
Sipping champagne while watching a movie, gently raising a finger from time to time, asking portentously, "Steward/Stewardess, might one request more of the warm roasted macadamia nuts?"
Living the dream!
I've always been team carry-on, with a bag small enough for under the seat. Especially when travelling to a destination (I'm much more agreeable to check a bag when returning home.) The reason is that if you lose your bag going out, you're really screwed. By the time you get your bag back, the interview/wedding/bus/boat has happened, and there you are in your tee-shirt and sandals wishing you had your luggage. It's happened to me enough times that I won't risk it again.
This makes sense. In fact, on my trip to London last week I did the same as you: I took a carry-on that was small enough to fit under the seat on the way there, but I checked it on the way back.
I feel obligated to report that for some reason I've not yet found, the airlines *really* want you to come with carry-on luggage. We've just finished a trip to Virginia, and the planes proudly boasted the new-and-improved large overhead carry-on bins. Roller bags are placed in on their sides, and stack efficiently. Each flight was 100% full, and nobody begged us at the gate to check our bags, and there was clearly *lots* of extra space in the bins when they were closed for takeoff.
Oh wow—more airlines need to install those bins!
As you know, because you saw the visible evidence, Arthur and I had quite a bit of luggage after our three month stay in Spain (and one week in Bern--thank you!). It was so nice to check our luggage and be done with it, though Swiss Air charged us $70 each for our two extra bags. Ouch! They were free on American. And perhaps that's part of the problem--the rules are different for every airline and sometimes for every route. How can a traveler keep it all straight? However, we could afford the luggage charges and the cost was worth it for the peace of mind and ease of travel.
The French Connection?!?!?! Yes! Such an awesome movie. RIP Gene Hackman. He was one of the greats.
Whoa—$70 per bag is insane! You are right that the complexity and lack of coordination further incentivizes people not to check their bags—because who knows what they will have to pay? No wonder everyone tries to take carry-on.
My sister recently flew from the UK to attend her nephew’s wedding, she has had the lost bag experience before so packed her wedding outfit into her carry on bag just in case. She was fortunate that all her bags arrived safely, but the knowledge that she had the outfit with her gave her peace of mind.
That was smart of her!
I seldom fly but when I do the seasoned travelers are so mean. They are impatient with people with handicaps or low vision. I know they hate anyone not as experienced as them. They are looking and judging. I'm not tall and I've had taller travelers reach over me in exasperation as I struggle and then I hear their disdainful quiet snorts. For these reasons I have always checked all baggage, wait until the tall people have lined up at baggage claim (or they reach over me) and I wait until the luggage belt stops to retrieve mine.
Yeah, the stress of travel can bring out the worst in people. I am tall (as you know), and in my opinion it is incumbent on tall people to help shorter people with their bags, and just with reaching things in general.
Most are not as humane.