Fliers determined to keep cheap airplane tickets and cheap vacation packages cheap do their best not to check any luggage. Often this results in some passengers trying to carry on oversized luggage.
Currently many passengers show up at gates with bags too large to fit in overhead bins knowing that by bringing oversized bags to the gate they can avoid checked bag fees since most airlines check bags at the gate for free.
Airlines are now trying to decide whether they need to charge carry-on fees on oversized bags to discourage such bags from being carried on to planes.
Increasingly there are chaotic scenes at boarding gates as passengers maneuver to board as early as possible to beat others on board in order to store their bags in overhead bins while there is still space. Gate agents are spending more time checking bags at gates.
Alaska Airlines has instituted a $25 fee for passengers who try to carry-on bags that exceed allowable limits (10 by 17 by 24 inches).
Spirit Airlines starting charging a fee for placing bags in its overhead storage bins two years ago. This fall Spirit is raising its overhead storage fee to $100 per bag for customers who wait until they reach the gate to pay for the privilege.
Allegiant Air became the second airline to charge its passengers for the right to stow bags in overhead bins in April.
While there remains serious question whether the large airlines will implement similar overhead storage charges, airlines are expected to seriously consider whether to continue their policies of gate checking oversized luggage for free. Airlines are looking for ways to motivate passengers from knowingly bringing oversized bags to the gate. www.cheapfares.com