Im not an AA customer but I'm sure someone might be interested in this -
https://www.traveloffpath.com/second-us-airline-removes-all-bag-sizers-at-boarding-gates/
United actually removed bag sizers back in February 2020, not 2024 as stated in the article.
And just this week boarded my AA 787 at Heathrow. And stood with others blocked in the aisle while some jerk struggled to force a full size suitcase into the overhead. Why was he not stopped at the gate as this was clearly way too big, why did the FAs not say anything? He ultimately somehow forced this in lengthwise filling virtually the entire bin, which as we know on a787 will easily hold 3 proper bags placed vertically.
I think improved customer service would mean more enforcement, not less.
Well I can't speak to AA, but on my recent flights to Berlin, at RIC & EWR United's gate agents were reminding everyone that they were permitted only a carry on and a personal item, and fanny packs, purses, crossbody bags, bags worn about the waist or body all counted as bags. And each passenger needed to make sure they had only a carry-on and personal bag.
Stuff your fanny bag in your personal item.
No biggie. Lufthansa can be the same as what you describe. For the past 2 years, almost all my flights have been Lufthansa, Ryan, and Wizz, with a few on Air Serbia. Lufthansa was the only one i observed checking bags for size. Oh, and my one flight on Austrian they checked too. Im legal so I dont mind it at all.
I agree with this:
I think improved customer service would mean more enforcement, not less.
So apparently the airline decided the solution to too much carryon baggage was to throw the burden (and blame) on gate agents. Their performance is based on how quickly they get the plane boarded, not how many carryon abusers they catch. Every flight I've been on in years has warned about 2-item carryon limits, yet I've never seen that enforced. Most people I've traveled with take their chances on taking whatever they want and stuffing multiple bags in the overhead. They prefer to chance a free gate-check than pay for checking a bag.
Nothing like that sinking feeling that you're late in the boarding queue, and the space will all be gone.
Dont have rules you won't enforce. And where before the customer could argue it fit in the box, now tgerr is no arguing, no proof. Its silly.
