I like to travel. I have made it a mission to travel light. There is no reason to check luggage unless you absolutely have to. The airlines have made it tough for consumers with all the extra baggage fees and restrictions on weight and size. But have you noticed they are cracking down on the 22″. The bag you bought that you cram all your belongings into that goes above the seat. Why has the 22″ now become the problem.
The rules are carry-ons must be 22″ right? . But many planes don’t fit the 22″ wheels first in the overhead . Watch out if you don’t follow that wheels-in first rule-a flight attendant will yell at you and make you an example for the entire airplane. So I went out and I bought a 20″. Not so easy to get all the clothes, shoes, cosmetics in that size bag if you are going away for more than two days. Men have it easier than us ladies–we just need to pack more. I was pretty proud of my purchase until a recent trip from Philly to Chicago when I was stopped at the gate. The ticket checker asked me to put my bag in the basket by the boarding door. It fit but took a little muscle to pull it out. Why? Because those baskets aren’t designed to fit a 20″ or a 22″. She took my bag. Come on.
I follow the rules, spent money and time just trying to find the perfect bag where this wouldn’t happen and once again the airline got me. I don’t mind the stricter rules post 9/11. I don’t even mind the new full body scanners, and I have become used to the delays . But this is where I have to get upset with air travel. What’s next–I can only bring a tiny purse and no luggage on board.
