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Last July, we had a 6 hour layover in Zurich for a flight from NY to Rome. We got to the gate for the Rome flight and sat down near a window where I was able to watch the luggage guy throw the "carry-on/now checked bags" down a slide from the jetway. Most of the bags fell off the slide onto the tarmac about 2 feet below were the guy was standing due to the curve of the slide and how he launched the bags down the slide. The guy was unmoved by these bags falling from maybe 10 ft to the cement.
Eventually, we go to check in. I notice very few people were being asked to put their carry-on bag in the sizer and most of the passengers have bags larger than mine. The flight seemed light based on available seats on the moniters. We get to the front and encounter an over officious Swiss Air agent who decided my small, legal carry-on was too big for A320 overhead (it was not). It fit in the sizer, but my wheels stuck out a little. He then told me my bag was too big and to give the bag to the luggage guy at the end of the jetway. This was the same fool I watched basically toss bags from the jetway to the tarmac.
I did not argue and walked down the jetway. As soon as I was clear of the agent, I took the tag off. We got onto a 1/2 empty A320 and my bag easily fit in the overhead, just as it always did and still does.
We still have no idea why I was chosen for that special treatment. My wife's bag was identical, but a different color. Once I was on the plane, I was surrounded by passengers with bigger carry-on bags than my bag. The plane was 1/2 empty, so overhead space was not an issue. This had never happened before or since with this bag.
So I agreed to check my carry-on, but I carried on anyway.
Wow, sometimes I fly with ONLY carry-on, especially if just a long weekend. I definitely don't enjoy checking a bag, and would be cross if not only I was forced to, but it meant that I was FORBIDDEN from having a personal item.
100% would either forego the trip, or drive if it could be driven in, say, 8 hours or less.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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I normally ONLY travel with a small duffel carry-on.
When using Frontier or Spirit I have to 'downsize' to an 'under-seat' size. That is quite small for more than a few days away.
Checking carry-ons will add time to trip / commute, but so did TSA.
My frequent commutes are 1200 - 2500 miles, so driving is very time consuming and expensive.
I will wait 5 min for my checked bag (it that becomes the rule).
I would also wait at the gate before departure for my Covid test if that becomes the rule (Which I feel it should be. Emirates does it in 10 min). Would really help get the airlines / commerce back to a more normal activity. And identify and isolate those 'super-spreaders'.
Last July, we had a 6 hour layover in Zurich for a flight from NY to Rome. We got to the gate for the Rome flight and sat down near a window where I was able to watch the luggage guy throw the "carry-on/now checked bags" down a slide from the jetway. Most of the bags fell off the slide onto the tarmac about 2 feet below were the guy was standing due to the curve of the slide and how he launched the bags down the slide. The guy was unmoved by these bags falling from maybe 10 ft to the cement.
Eventually, we go to check in. I notice very few people were being asked to put their carry-on bag in the sizer and most of the passengers have bags larger than mine. The flight seemed light based on available seats on the moniters. We get to the front and encounter an over officious Swiss Air agent who decided my small, legal carry-on was too big for A320 overhead (it was not). It fit in the sizer, but my wheels stuck out a little. He then told me my bag was too big and to give the bag to the luggage guy at the end of the jetway. This was the same fool I watched basically toss bags from the jetway to the tarmac.
I did not argue and walked down the jetway. As soon as I was clear of the agent, I took the tag off. We got onto a 1/2 empty A320 and my bag easily fit in the overhead, just as it always did and still does.
We still have no idea why I was chosen for that special treatment. My wife's bag was identical, but a different color. Once I was on the plane, I was surrounded by passengers with bigger carry-on bags than my bag. The plane was 1/2 empty, so overhead space was not an issue. This had never happened before or since with this bag.
So I agreed to check my carry-on, but I carried on anyway.
You were lucky that there was room in the overhead compartment. If the flight had been full and there was no room in the overhead compartment (due to other carry on luggage being stored there), then it could have been a problem.
Based on the OP, which sounds like a choice between checking carryon or not flying, I would check the luggage rather than cancel my trip
I typically travel with nothing but a carryon, so I would need to adjust my packing plans, but it certainly could be done.
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