Is responsibility for your own bag too much to ask?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've flown a lot and have never once seen a situation where other passengers weren't happy to assist if another had trouble with overhead luggage. Does this actually happen?

+1 I fly all the time for work and have never seen this. When I was pregnant or had young kids with me, people would go out of their way to help. And even when I had no special needs, sometimes people would see me struggling to fit a rollerboard in a space and help me maneuver it. I would do the same. I don't get the anger and calling people "lazy" on this thread for not being able to fit an object into a weird shaped hole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The funny thing to me about packing a bag you can't manage is that it's not only on the plane that it's a drag. At every stage of your trip it's a hindrance. Do you expect someone else to carry, roll, lift, etc. your bag throughout your entire trip? You need like a faithful manservant, and those are in short supply these days. Just pack less. If that means packing fewer sweaters in order to fit in your nebulizer, or whatever medical device, then do so.

Except that often it is. I posted above that I often travel with groups of people who have disabilities that impact their stature.

They can roll their bags through the metro system, to get to the airport, and through the airport. What they can't do is lift things beyond the lengths of their arms. There is no number of sweaters that solves this problem.

The thing is, this is never an actual problem on the plane. We do preboard, because we need a little more time. I could lift everyone's bag (I guess I'm the faithful manservant, except I am a woman) but I have literally never done it because people always offer. Every single time. Just like I've always had people offer help when I've flown with little kids. My elderly mom has always had help offered.

So, people who are objecting, aren't objecting because they are being forced to lift, or that things are being slowed down. They are being objected because someone else is helping, and as a result a person who they consider "less" is getting some of the scare overhead space.

You haven't figured it out at all. Your situation is that there is a dedicated person tasked with this job, which is how it's supposed to work. Some of the weirder PPs don't want to follow the rules and just assume others will step in. Why when there are other solutions? Why not directly ask for help if it is required?

Having a dedicated person isn't how it works at all. Sometimes, people with disabilities travel with other people, just like people without disabilities travel with colleagues, friends, family members etc . . . Often times when that happens, the traveling companion offers help, and I do too. But I'm not there for that reason, and I'm not "tasked" with this job.

There is no rule that says that someone with a disability that impacts their ability to reach above their head needs to bring someone, or to identify their needs in advance. You are making up rules that don't exist.

And yes, at this point after having had the same experience on many many flights, I do assume that that will happen. If it didn't happen, I have a back up plan which is lifting them all by myself. If it didn't happen for my elderly mom, she'd ask a flight attendant to help her identify someone. But, as I said, it has literally never happened.

sorry but grannie needs to check her bag. The FA is not going to identify someone for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The funny thing to me about packing a bag you can't manage is that it's not only on the plane that it's a drag. At every stage of your trip it's a hindrance. Do you expect someone else to carry, roll, lift, etc. your bag throughout your entire trip? You need like a faithful manservant, and those are in short supply these days. Just pack less. If that means packing fewer sweaters in order to fit in your nebulizer, or whatever medical device, then do so.

Except that often it is. I posted above that I often travel with groups of people who have disabilities that impact their stature.

They can roll their bags through the metro system, to get to the airport, and through the airport. What they can't do is lift things beyond the lengths of their arms. There is no number of sweaters that solves this problem.

The thing is, this is never an actual problem on the plane. We do preboard, because we need a little more time. I could lift everyone's bag (I guess I'm the faithful manservant, except I am a woman) but I have literally never done it because people always offer. Every single time. Just like I've always had people offer help when I've flown with little kids. My elderly mom has always had help offered.

So, people who are objecting, aren't objecting because they are being forced to lift, or that things are being slowed down. They are being objected because someone else is helping, and as a result a person who they consider "less" is getting some of the scare overhead space.

You haven't figured it out at all. Your situation is that there is a dedicated person tasked with this job, which is how it's supposed to work. Some of the weirder PPs don't want to follow the rules and just assume others will step in. Why when there are other solutions? Why not directly ask for help if it is required?

Having a dedicated person isn't how it works at all. Sometimes, people with disabilities travel with other people, just like people without disabilities travel with colleagues, friends, family members etc . . . Often times when that happens, the traveling companion offers help, and I do too. But I'm not there for that reason, and I'm not "tasked" with this job.

There is no rule that says that someone with a disability that impacts their ability to reach above their head needs to bring someone, or to identify their needs in advance. You are making up rules that don't exist.

And yes, at this point after having had the same experience on many many flights, I do assume that that will happen. If it didn't happen, I have a back up plan which is lifting them all by myself. If it didn't happen for my elderly mom, she'd ask a flight attendant to help her identify someone. But, as I said, it has literally never happened.

sorry but grannie needs to check her bag. The FA is not going to identify someone for her.

Agree. I have seen FAs offer to check a bag when people had difficulty getting it into the overhead. Not often but a few times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The funny thing to me about packing a bag you can't manage is that it's not only on the plane that it's a drag. At every stage of your trip it's a hindrance. Do you expect someone else to carry, roll, lift, etc. your bag throughout your entire trip? You need like a faithful manservant, and those are in short supply these days. Just pack less. If that means packing fewer sweaters in order to fit in your nebulizer, or whatever medical device, then do so.

Rolling a suitcase is significantly easier than lifting it overhead.

-Person with a torn rotator cuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The funny thing to me about packing a bag you can't manage is that it's not only on the plane that it's a drag. At every stage of your trip it's a hindrance. Do you expect someone else to carry, roll, lift, etc. your bag throughout your entire trip? You need like a faithful manservant, and those are in short supply these days. Just pack less. If that means packing fewer sweaters in order to fit in your nebulizer, or whatever medical device, then do so.

Except that often it is. I posted above that I often travel with groups of people who have disabilities that impact their stature.

They can roll their bags through the metro system, to get to the airport, and through the airport. What they can't do is lift things beyond the lengths of their arms. There is no number of sweaters that solves this problem.

The thing is, this is never an actual problem on the plane. We do preboard, because we need a little more time. I could lift everyone's bag (I guess I'm the faithful manservant, except I am a woman) but I have literally never done it because people always offer. Every single time. Just like I've always had people offer help when I've flown with little kids. My elderly mom has always had help offered.

So, people who are objecting, aren't objecting because they are being forced to lift, or that things are being slowed down. They are being objected because someone else is helping, and as a result a person who they consider "less" is getting some of the scare overhead space.

You haven't figured it out at all. Your situation is that there is a dedicated person tasked with this job, which is how it's supposed to work. Some of the weirder PPs don't want to follow the rules and just assume others will step in. Why when there are other solutions? Why not directly ask for help if it is required?

Having a dedicated person isn't how it works at all. Sometimes, people with disabilities travel with other people, just like people without disabilities travel with colleagues, friends, family members etc . . . Often times when that happens, the traveling companion offers help, and I do too. But I'm not there for that reason, and I'm not "tasked" with this job.

There is no rule that says that someone with a disability that impacts their ability to reach above their head needs to bring someone, or to identify their needs in advance. You are making up rules that don't exist.

And yes, at this point after having had the same experience on many many flights, I do assume that that will happen. If it didn't happen, I have a back up plan which is lifting them all by myself. If it didn't happen for my elderly mom, she'd ask a flight attendant to help her identify someone. But, as I said, it has literally never happened.

sorry but grannie needs to check her bag. The FA is not going to identify someone for her.

Or identify her need for assistance under existing law, which most people don’t do because non-evil people are happy to help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I routinely help tiny women and elderly people with the overhead compartment. While I’m a 50 year old lady, I’m fortunate to be tall, string, and healthy for now…someday I might not be.

Thank you for being kind (instead of smug about your health)

I used to be a very independent woman. Now I am elderly and bring a carryon which is not heavy for a healthy, younger person (especially a male ). I might be able to put it in the overhead compartment, but would run the risk of an injury that would ruin my whole trip.

Can’t the more fortunate (for now) help the less fortunate in our society? I can tell you that in other cultures, that would be the normal expectation.

Yes, the more fortunate can help the less fortunate. But the problem is when someone EXPECTS the help. That's entitled. Bringing a suitcase that you know you can't lift is the definition of that.

They are literally entitled to assistance.

https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/disabilitybillofrights#The%20Right%20to%20Assistance%20on%20the%20Aircraft

So yes they absolutely should expect that assistance.

Did they self identify at the gate? Doesn't sound like that's what they are doing. They are bringing their bags on they standing around waiting for unsuspecting passengers to help them. Not the same. The airline isn't going to assign a random passenger for the assist.

I think most people don’t feel the need to self identify for minor disabilities. Thankfully, as shown on this thread, most people are willing to help. If people with disabilities started being edged out of use of overhead space, they would start identifying at the gate. Then they would start pre-boarding. Then, you would be even more upset.

So they aren’t actually in need or disabled. Which is it?

For something like arthritis, many people will not identify themselves as needing to preboard and have extra assistance because the only requirement they have is one that all decent people seem willing to meet anyway.

If that stops being the case in the way you're fantasizing about, people will self-identify and preboard. Then you will be Big Mad theres not enough space when group 4 boards.

[Anonymous]

I honestly can't tell if it's one person or many who are so offended by the notion that people who can otherwise manage their bags might need 10s of help lifting it into an overhead bin that they can't reach.

I'm short, I'm strong, but I don't have extendable arms. Newer bins are designed to be very high up. I can climb on top of an aisle seat to get my bag up if needed, but I fly multiple times a month and have had to do that maybe twice ever...and only because I was the only person boarding in that section of the plane at the time. I've literally never even had to ask for help, people just offer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I honestly can't tell if it's one person or many who are so offended by the notion that people who can otherwise manage their bags might need 10s of help lifting it into an overhead bin that they can't reach.

I'm short, I'm strong, but I don't have extendable arms. Newer bins are designed to be very high up. I can climb on top of an aisle seat to get my bag up if needed, but I fly multiple times a month and have had to do that maybe twice ever...and only because I was the only person boarding in that section of the plane at the time. I've literally never even had to ask for help, people just offer.

What is this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I routinely help tiny women and elderly people with the overhead compartment. While I’m a 50 year old lady, I’m fortunate to be tall, string, and healthy for now…someday I might not be.

Thank you for being kind (instead of smug about your health)

I used to be a very independent woman. Now I am elderly and bring a carryon which is not heavy for a healthy, younger person (especially a male ). I might be able to put it in the overhead compartment, but would run the risk of an injury that would ruin my whole trip.

Can’t the more fortunate (for now) help the less fortunate in our society? I can tell you that in other cultures, that would be the normal expectation.

Yes, the more fortunate can help the less fortunate. But the problem is when someone EXPECTS the help. That's entitled. Bringing a suitcase that you know you can't lift is the definition of that.

They are literally entitled to assistance.

https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/disabilitybillofrights#The%20Right%20to%20Assistance%20on%20the%20Aircraft

So yes they absolutely should expect that assistance.

Did they self identify at the gate? Doesn't sound like that's what they are doing. They are bringing their bags on they standing around waiting for unsuspecting passengers to help them. Not the same. The airline isn't going to assign a random passenger for the assist.

I think most people don’t feel the need to self identify for minor disabilities. Thankfully, as shown on this thread, most people are willing to help. If people with disabilities started being edged out of use of overhead space, they would start identifying at the gate. Then they would start pre-boarding. Then, you would be even more upset.

So they aren’t actually in need or disabled. Which is it?

For something like arthritis, many people will not identify themselves as needing to preboard and have extra assistance because the only requirement they have is one that all decent people seem willing to meet anyway.

If that stops being the case in the way you're fantasizing about, people will self-identify and preboard. Then you will be Big Mad theres not enough space when group 4 boards.

I'm pretty sure the vast majority of people have no issue pre boarding due to wanting extra time (aka boarding first). People suddenly feeling shame or sadness about self identifying is your own special fantasy. Most people loooove special treatment and have no qualms asking for it. Do you actually fly often?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I routinely help tiny women and elderly people with the overhead compartment. While I’m a 50 year old lady, I’m fortunate to be tall, string, and healthy for now…someday I might not be.

Thank you for being kind (instead of smug about your health)

I used to be a very independent woman. Now I am elderly and bring a carryon which is not heavy for a healthy, younger person (especially a male ). I might be able to put it in the overhead compartment, but would run the risk of an injury that would ruin my whole trip.

Can’t the more fortunate (for now) help the less fortunate in our society? I can tell you that in other cultures, that would be the normal expectation.

Yes, the more fortunate can help the less fortunate. But the problem is when someone EXPECTS the help. That's entitled. Bringing a suitcase that you know you can't lift is the definition of that.

They are literally entitled to assistance.

https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/disabilitybillofrights#The%20Right%20to%20Assistance%20on%20the%20Aircraft

So yes they absolutely should expect that assistance.

Did they self identify at the gate? Doesn't sound like that's what they are doing. They are bringing their bags on they standing around waiting for unsuspecting passengers to help them. Not the same. The airline isn't going to assign a random passenger for the assist.

I think most people don’t feel the need to self identify for minor disabilities. Thankfully, as shown on this thread, most people are willing to help. If people with disabilities started being edged out of use of overhead space, they would start identifying at the gate. Then they would start pre-boarding. Then, you would be even more upset.

So they aren’t actually in need or disabled. Which is it?

For something like arthritis, many people will not identify themselves as needing to preboard and have extra assistance because the only requirement they have is one that all decent people seem willing to meet anyway.

If that stops being the case in the way you're fantasizing about, people will self-identify and preboard. Then you will be Big Mad theres not enough space when group 4 boards.

I'm pretty sure the vast majority of people have no issue pre boarding due to wanting extra time (aka boarding first). People suddenly feeling shame or sadness about self identifying is your own special fantasy. Most people loooove special treatment and have no qualms asking for it. Do you actually fly often?

Several times per month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I routinely help tiny women and elderly people with the overhead compartment. While I’m a 50 year old lady, I’m fortunate to be tall, string, and healthy for now…someday I might not be.

Thank you for being kind (instead of smug about your health)

I used to be a very independent woman. Now I am elderly and bring a carryon which is not heavy for a healthy, younger person (especially a male ). I might be able to put it in the overhead compartment, but would run the risk of an injury that would ruin my whole trip.

Can’t the more fortunate (for now) help the less fortunate in our society? I can tell you that in other cultures, that would be the normal expectation.

Yes, the more fortunate can help the less fortunate. But the problem is when someone EXPECTS the help. That's entitled. Bringing a suitcase that you know you can't lift is the definition of that.

They are literally entitled to assistance.

https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/disabilitybillofrights#The%20Right%20to%20Assistance%20on%20the%20Aircraft

So yes they absolutely should expect that assistance.

Did they self identify at the gate? Doesn't sound like that's what they are doing. They are bringing their bags on they standing around waiting for unsuspecting passengers to help them. Not the same. The airline isn't going to assign a random passenger for the assist.

I think most people don’t feel the need to self identify for minor disabilities. Thankfully, as shown on this thread, most people are willing to help. If people with disabilities started being edged out of use of overhead space, they would start identifying at the gate. Then they would start pre-boarding. Then, you would be even more upset.

So they aren’t actually in need or disabled. Which is it?

For something like arthritis, many people will not identify themselves as needing to preboard and have extra assistance because the only requirement they have is one that all decent people seem willing to meet anyway.

If that stops being the case in the way you're fantasizing about, people will self-identify and preboard. Then you will be Big Mad theres not enough space when group 4 boards.

I'm pretty sure the vast majority of people have no issue pre boarding due to wanting extra time (aka boarding first). People suddenly feeling shame or sadness about self identifying is your own special fantasy. Most people loooove special treatment and have no qualms asking for it. Do you actually fly often?

Several times per month.

And yet you never see people clamoring for pre boarding. How interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly can't tell if it's one person or many who are so offended by the notion that people who can otherwise manage their bags might need 10s of help lifting it into an overhead bin that they can't reach.

I'm short, I'm strong, but I don't have extendable arms. Newer bins are designed to be very high up. I can climb on top of an aisle seat to get my bag up if needed, but I fly multiple times a month and have had to do that maybe twice ever...and only because I was the only person boarding in that section of the plane at the time. I've literally never even had to ask for help, people just offer.

What is this?

10seconds lifting the back the extra couple of inches. Sometimes people just do it. Sometimes they give me an assist by pushing it up over the lip of the bin.

[Anonymous]

^^the bag