[countrynewsman]

My wife and I just returned from a trip on Southwest. I can say that if it were not for the great staff...especially the Flight Attendants...I would consider another carrier. Still, I didn't have to pay for baggage, beverages, etc., and the seats seemed (note: I said "seemed") to have more leg room. I played the game and got my boarding pass online 24 hours in advance. Still, it was a fiasco. Many of the problems come from stupid passengers who still think they can drag all kinds of stuff in the cabin that belong in the baggage bin. On our approach to the airport, one stupid idiot got out her cell phone and started talking to someone saying, "We're circling the airport, we'll be home soon."

[airhead]

As a reminder to everyone, the FAA has regulations on the size, weight, and number of carryons that go into the cabin of the aircraft. If someone has 2 large bags they are trying to stuff into a bin, they are probably violating that regulation and it is the airline's responsibility to enforce it.

USE OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE when not permitted, is also another violation and that the passenger may personally receive a hefty fine. It is the Flight Attendent's job to ask the passenger not use the device at certain times. Those devices DO interfere with communication devices in the cockpit. Sometimes the aircraft has to circle around the airport again, which can cause a delay because their is no communication audible from the FAA.

[abutterfinger25]

The FAA does NOT have a regulation on the number of carryons that go into the cabin. The FAA only states that all carry-ons must be securly stowed either under the seat or in the overhead bins. Each carry sets its own carryon limites.

[azstar]

Originally Posted by abutterfinger25

The FAA does NOT have a regulation on the number of carryons that go into the cabin. The FAA only states that all carry-ons must be securly stowed either under the seat or in the overhead bins. Each carry sets its own carryon limites.

You're correct that the FAA does not have regulation authority, but they DO require airlines to enforce their own regulations. Therefore, if an airline says you are allowed only one carry-on, and the FAA inspectors find that an airline is not limiting the number of carry-ons that people bring on board, the airline can incur a hefty fine.

[jimworcs]

One of the most lamentable problems which is pervasive in the airlines is the almost pavlovian responses by airline employees claiming fake FAA/CAA regulations, or even worse, security to cover their own pathetic power trips or inept handling of situations. Here we have a small example. Customer complains, airline employee immediately makes up an FAA regulation to cover. Except, subsequent posts suggest that no such regulation exists. How many AA customers have faced this nonsense from Airhead at work?

[freddiecm]

its a airplane not a bus.

[airhead]

I am told in writing from my bosses and required to sign a document that I understand it is an FAA requirement that I comply with the regulation which is subject to FAA fines. You tell me how I make that up and how I should comprehend that! I am doing my best to give out information so that everyone knows what is going on. But some folks here still believe some of us only have one biased agenda. I am sorry for those who believe every airline employee is out to lie to everyone. Thanks for the information.

[airhead]

In addition, I agree it is not right to give out false information. If the information I gave out earlier is false, I am sorry about that. I intend on researching the matter.

Jimworcs: I am not on a power trip. I am doing my job. Just think about the utter chaos if we didn't enforce many of the rules regarding carryon bags. More passengers would be here logging more complaints if the first 10 passengers onboard an aircraft got to stuff whatever they felt like in the bins with no regard for the rest of the passengers. Even if it might NOT be an FAA regulation, it is still a very valid rule and many of us are told it is a regulation. That is not my fault nor is it my coworkers fault. I don't think that is right either. The blame goes to the people who make the rules and use legal jargon to confuse the rest of us who did not go to law school. Even the passengers are subject to this confusion. If you come up with a better idea, plese tell us. I am on your side.

[airhead]

I did some research and found the truth. I am very sorry to everyone out there who was subject to the airline employees' perception of what they believe to be FAA regulations. Please keep in mind that we are handed this information from the people we believe to be more competent on the subject matter than the rest of us. I do not agree it is right to lie to employees so that they can lie to passengers in order to make people believe what is told to them. I learned a valuable lesson. It is sad I have to come to this site to learn these things and I hope others learn from this as well.

Carry on bags are regulated by the FAA as far as how they are stowed in the cabin of the aircraft and not who has how much.
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text...1.4.23.2.11.17

For more general advice about what to carry on....
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/prepare_fly/baggage/

Electronic devices are actually more detailed here.
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text...1.4.11&idno=14

I hope this helps.

[jimworcs]

I do not think all airline employees are out to lie. I do however think that if you read this forum and perhaps Skytrax, you will discover that there is a serious break down in the way airlines are dealing with their customers. They are immune to normal commercial pressures and protected from the consequences of their actions. The airlines have cut staff, lied to their employees and customers and some of their actions are bordering on fraud. There are thousands of stories where airline staff have lied to passengers to get them away from their desk, knowing that they will not have to face the passenger again because they will be in another city. Unless we confront this, through forums like this, nothing will get done. So, I take an aggressive line, but admire you for doing the research and acknowledging your mistake.

One issue I want to make clear. I agree with the rules imposed by the airline to restrict hand baggage and I agree that where those rules exist, the airline employees should enforce them. What I object to is airline employees telling customers that it is due to FAA regulations, when it is not. Even worse, and believe me I have seen this many times, airline employees blaming "security" for rules which are specific to the airline and nothing to do with security at all. Ryanair in Europe are notorious for this, and it is a disgrace. It is exploiting people who died in 9/11 to make money and is outrageous. Now, I fully accept that you have been told this by your managers and they are misleading you, but unless we confront this here, nothing will change.

Regards,
Jim

[abutterfinger25]

I would give AirHead some slack on some of the regs. Airline employees are following their carrier policies and FAA/DOT regs for years and it is natural that they start to run together. (not to mention that there are quite a bit of FAA/DOT regs, especially for a non-regulated industry). I was on a Southwest flight a couple of years ago and the flight attendant told me some southwest rule (I have forgotten what it was or even what the issue was about, most likely a stowage issue.) was an FAA reg. I let it go and followed her instructions but after the flight, I showed her my credentials and explained to her that there was no FAA regulation on that topic and what she was informing me was an Southwest policy.

However, Jim is correct. There are airline employees out there who, in an effort to distance themselves from some unwanted problem/issue, pull out the old "Can't do anything - it is an FAA rule" excuse.

[countrynewsman]

Airhead has been giving some good info and I, too, would encourage others to give him slack. Remember, airline employees are not required to read every FAA reg that comes down the pike and must abide by their own carrier's rules and regs. There are no doubt a few airline employees out there who are totally incapable of dealing with customers, as are other employees of companies who deal with customers. I have to say that about 95 percent of those I have dealt with have been helpful and courteous. Can you imagine having to deal with a planeload of idiots who yell at the airline agent because of a cancelled flight due to snow, fog, etc. that is beyond the airline's control...let alone the agent's? I guess if one dons an airline uniform, he/she is automatically the enemy. Hey Airhead...don't let the turkeys get you down!

[ryanairdontcare]

RYANAIR AND AGENTS ARE DOING A CABIN CREW RECRUITMENT SCAM,PLEASE BEWARE,SIGN OUR PETITION AGAINST RYANAIR.THANK YOU
http://www.gopetition.com/online/26531.html

[exexpat]

It's a TSA Regulation. FAA, TSA, DOT Regulation. What a bunch of crap. The TSA is interested in sock hop regs, finding a way to charge a new security fee to travelers, installing NUDIE X-Ray machines and little else.

I was just told by United that the TSA is making the ONE CHECKIN BAG PER CUSTOMER policy. Even if you bought another ticket you could only have one bag per customer (fat person charging program).

I really doubt that. The TSA doesn't know it's own ass from a hole in the ground, let alone terrorists, or making airline baggage policies for them.

United - Your Full of **** and It Shows!