Is responsibility for your own bag too much to ask?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I dunno. I mean as a 5'1" person I can technically lift my fully packed hard case carry-on into the overhead but it is sometimes a struggle. Thankfully there is always a guy around who likes to feel useful.

Also a short woman. When I was pregnant, I gleefully used the pre-boarding just so I could carefully lift my bag up and stow it without giant people elbowing me while I stood on tiptoes for the final big shove.

I know I have to take care of my bag myself. But going without a carryon is quite burdensome from a luggage delay risk perspective and expensive.

[Anonymous]

As a very petite woman, one reason I prefer aisle seats is so I can stand on the seat if needed and also have time to get the bag out after landing so I don’t hold people up. Or I pop the bag on the chair on its way up. It’s more of a challenge to get the bag back out than in. I always appreciate it when someone (typically a man) helps, it happens probably 70% of the time.

People complaining about others needing help…do you really never rely on the kindness of strangers to make life a little easier? Or show that kindness to others when you can? I’m sad for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dunno. I mean as a 5'1" person I can technically lift my fully packed hard case carry-on into the overhead but it is sometimes a struggle. Thankfully there is always a guy around who likes to feel useful.

As a 5' petite woman, I have a hard time lifting those carryon spinner bags. A couple of times, a nice gentleman helped me. Once I asked the flight attendant, and they said no. lol

I can stand on the seat to get bag down, but if it's heavy, I have a harder time putting it up in the bin.

I am old enough where I recall flight attendance helped with bags. But, this was also when they were called "stewardess".

Look, I'm short and small, too, but you need to be able to be fully able to handle your baggage yourself--pack a smaller or lighter bag.

You people must not fly much. There are newer configurations of planes where the overhead compartments are offset from the aisle far enough that someone 5' literally can't reach the latch. I travel multiple times a month, and I'm not wasting extra hours waiting for baggage (which inevitably takes longer these days) because the airlines designed their overhead space to be unreachable.

[Anonymous]

I’m short and have health issues. I look healthy but you’ll find out otherwise if you sat next to me.

[Anonymous]

As a former FA, I can confirm that we are specifically told NOT to lift passengers bags. If you do, and get injured or injure someone else, there are consequences that can include being fired. That being said, FAs are under pressure to get everyone seated and their bags secured on time, so occasionally you will see them rushing thru the cabin and helping just to get the airplane doors closed on schedule. But they are not supposed to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a former FA, I can confirm that we are specifically told NOT to lift passengers bags. If you do, and get injured or injure someone else, there are consequences that can include being fired. That being said, FAs are under pressure to get everyone seated and their bags secured on time, so occasionally you will see them rushing thru the cabin and helping just to get the airplane doors closed on schedule. But they are not supposed to.

I see it on every flight. They go around moving bags, complaining that people put their bags in wrong, policing people who put backpacks up there. They sure care a lot for something they aren’t supposed to care about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Flight attends only get paid when the airplane doors are closed and are NOT eligible for workers comp if they get hurt putting your bag overhead. Many FAs will refuse to move passengers belongings because of this.

As it should be. They do not need to be getting injured because some short person is too lazy to check their bag.

Some things are not replaceable like medical equipment and medications. I have to travel with lots of meds, nebulizer and other things. Stay blessed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ And how does one determine that someone is disabled? Not all disabilities are visible.

If someone asks for help in putting their bag up in the bin that’s a reliable hint that they need the help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course some people need help stowing their bags. It is insane to expect everyone who travels to be young, fit, and able to reach high places. I'm pretty short and even I have had difficulty stowing my bag in a way that it doesn't immediately crash to the floor. Help a shorty out, if you can.

Who do you expect to help you?

There are always one or two decent people who ask a person who’s struggling if they need any help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On another site I read a complaint that blew my mind--that there is no communication from the airlines that you are expected to be able to lift your own bag into the overhead compartment. I was honestly gobsmacked by this. I have never packed a bag that I couldn't lift, carry, or generally manage by myself. Barring disability, do you think it's an unreasonable expectation that people can deal with their own bags and not expect the flight attendants to take care of them? And do you think that expectation needs to be communicated better by airlines?

Only know about it because of traveling after arm surgery, my dominant arm useless, and the flight attendant wouldn't help me with my bag (despite the obvious impairment). Fortunately, another passenger helped me out, both putting my bag in the overhead bin, and taking it out.

I dont think it's unreasonable (think of the workers comp claims the airlines are saving themselves from as far as hurt backs helping customers with bags), but there should be some exceptions made for the elderly and infirm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m short and have health issues. I look healthy but you’ll find out otherwise if you sat next to me.

Me too. I have cerebral palsy (not super obvious) and am 5 feet tall. I never bring a carryon unless my husband or son are with me. It hasn’t mattered the last few trips, they made almost everyone gate check anyway

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Flight attends only get paid when the airplane doors are closed and are NOT eligible for workers comp if they get hurt putting your bag overhead. Many FAs will refuse to move passengers belongings because of this.

As it should be. They do not need to be getting injured because some short person is too lazy to check their bag.

Some things are not replaceable like medical equipment and medications. I have to travel with lots of meds, nebulizer and other things. Stay blessed.

If you have enough medication to fill a regular carry-on suitcase, I wonder if you should travel. Otherwise, you can pack a small bag or backpack that you can lift.

[Anonymous]

I'm a tall woman. I've put up and taken down plenty of suitcases for other people, particularly the elderly. I'm sympathetic as I have a 5'0" mom (tall Dad) and I've been getting stuff off shelves for her since I was 10.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a tall woman. I've put up and taken down plenty of suitcases for other people, particularly the elderly. I'm sympathetic as I have a 5'0" mom (tall Dad) and I've been getting stuff off shelves for her since I was 10.

Thank you! I am short and have had people help me at the grocery store. If it's a teenage kid who is taller than I am they love it! I think it makes their day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dunno. I mean as a 5'1" person I can technically lift my fully packed hard case carry-on into the overhead but it is sometimes a struggle. Thankfully there is always a guy around who likes to feel useful.

As a 5' petite woman, I have a hard time lifting those carryon spinner bags. A couple of times, a nice gentleman helped me. Once I asked the flight attendant, and they said no. lol

I can stand on the seat to get bag down, but if it's heavy, I have a harder time putting it up in the bin.

I am old enough where I recall flight attendance helped with bags. But, this was also when they were called "stewardess".

Look, I'm short and small, too, but you need to be able to be fully able to handle your baggage yourself--pack a smaller or lighter bag.

You people must not fly much. There are newer configurations of planes where the overhead compartments are offset from the aisle far enough that someone 5' literally can't reach the latch. I travel multiple times a month, and I'm not wasting extra hours waiting for baggage (which inevitably takes longer these days) because the airlines designed their overhead space to be unreachable.

So you expect a flight attendant to put your bag in the overhead for you?