|
Overly large and bulky carry-on bags have been a longstanding problem for several decades. With the recent introduction of checked baggage fees, this difficult problem has now become a l literal crisis. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, (AFA-CWA), AFL-CIO supports the bill H.R. 2870, the Securing Cabin Baggage Act, introduced by Representative Dan Lipinski. This bill would standardize and clarify the dimensions of carry-on baggage and personal items in the cabin of the aircraft and limit passengers to one carry-on item with a loaded size of 50 linear inches plus one personal item. This legislation is imperative to improving cabin safety and security.
Imposing an enforceable standard for carry-on sizes proposed in this bill will enhance airline safety and security. Carry-on baggage will be smaller and less bulky making it easier to enhance detection of prohibited items. TSA employee’s opportunities of focusing and finding the “needle in the haystack” would be greatly increased by limiting large and bulky carry-on bag sizes.
Standardized and smaller bags would also increase airlines’ on-time performance by eliminating the time consuming task of checking bulkier bags due to their inability to be accommodated in overhead bins and in the storage location under the seats.
Bigger, bulkier bags threaten overall in-flight safety. These large and heavy bags crammed into the overhead bins creates a pressure on the bin latches, which increases the possibility that they may open during a rough landing or turbulence resulting in items falling out and injuring passengers and or flight attendants.
This bill would further increase passenger safety, by ensuring a safer emergency evacuation. A 2000 report prepared by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on emergency evacuations noted that passengers will attempt to retrieve their bags, even after being instructed to leave personal items behind. While this behavior is not the safest, a bigger, bulkier bag is likely more difficult to remove than a smaller bag, even when advised not to will save valuable seconds. At an emergency evacuation it will be easier for flight attendants to grab smaller bags from passengers and clear the exit versus larger bags.
The current guidelines for carry-on bags make it extremely difficult for flight attendants to perform their primary duty, ensuring passengers safety. Incidents that flight attendants have seen as a result of carry-on bags range from disruption in the cabin, delays in boarding and deplaning, physical and verbal abuse towards fellow flight attendants, and passengers, and injuries and impediments during immediate evacuations. These current guidelines for carry-on bags were established more than two decades ago when air travel was much different, today these guidelines are inadequate for my fellow flight attendants and I to ensure passenger safety and be able to provide an appeasing flight.
Take action! Join our e-Activist campaign, and tell your member of Congress to support the Securing Cabin Baggage Act!
| 
