More happy news from Air Canada.....

One more reason to despise Air Canada.

Has Ryanair bought it?

Well, I have seen people complaining about those who carry on bags that are too big (I still don't know how that happens!)

Now...I thought if flying overseas you still got one free checked bag...did this change? I know they charge a $25 fee for first checked bag domestically...we had to pay it for our checked bag when we went to Cali in 2013. Just glad I got the new RS carry on - my old bag was just on the cusp of being too big (it was 22", and I think they allow 23").

I for one would be happy if all airlines enforced their carryon size restrictions.

I would be happy if all airlines enforced it, too. it is frustrating to see many people bringing on obviously over the required size bags and then to have no room in the overhead for your within the requirements piece.

I like Air Canada and I think more airlines should check those carry on bags.

It's the only airline that gets me from Frankfurt to Columbus, Ohio in an efficient way. The food is decent and the entertainment system is good, plus the seats are comfy.

Ms. Jo,

"It's the only airline that gets me from Frankfurt to Columbus, Ohio in an efficient way."

That's also the reason I use Air Canada most of the time for trips to Europe. They always seem to have the flights and partner connections to get me where I want to go in the most efficient manner, with the least hassles. My first and last stop in Europe is usually Frankfurt.

In light of these changes, I'll have to be more diligent in packing my carry-on items from now on. It will be interesting to see if the rules are equally enforced for both domestic and overseas flights. I'll also be interested to see how many of the other airlines in this part of the world decide to jump on the bandwagon and start collecting those extra fees.

AC has stated that this move is to "speed up" the boarding process, but I suspect it will actually slow down the process, at least initially until passengers get "educated" to the new reality. I'm sure the front-line staff are going to be dealing with a lot of angry customers for the next few months.

Overall, I tend to agree with a crackdown on carry-on sizes, as I've seen passengers trying to fit some gargantuan items into overhead bins, items which are very obviously way over the limit. There seems to be a "sense of entitlement" with some people and they think nothing of using most of a bin exclusively for their items.

The timing of this announcement works well for me, as it will give me some time prior to my next trip to adjust my packing to fit the new guidelines.

If you follow the rules, then this is good news. The vast majority in The Star's say "it's about time."

If you think that your oversized bag should be allowed on board and don't understand that applying that thinking to the other 449 passengers will result in an excess of bags which need to be gate checked thus causing delays, then you will likely be unhappy with this development.

Next, the maximum size will be reduced. There is insufficient space to stow the carry ons of every passenger if they each brought a bag of maximum size.

Air Canada may be charging for the first bag on Tango fares even for international destinations. Recent booking was one step up so we each got 1 free checked bag. We will each check a bag that "could" go in the cabin based on size but will have prescription ointments over 100g, a leatherman, and other proscribed articles. We are sticking to land and sea journeys until we fly home.

They were tagging carry on bags in India last year at security. I believe it was to confirm they were secure and not inside size limits but there were security guards at the gate looking for the tags.

Yay for Air Canada! I for one am pretty sick of people with oversize luggage trying to cram it into the overhead bin, as well as people who carry on way more than they should, taking up more than their fair share of storage space. I was recently on an SAS flight where a woman tried boarding the plane with 4 separate bags. She was told at the gate that she would need to check her largest bag and she was incredulous. Created a big scene at the gate, holding up the entire boarding process. Thankfully the ticket agent did not budge, and in the end, she had to check her largest bag.

I imagine there's going to be many "incredulous" passengers in the next few months, as everyone adjusts to this new reality. I've observed incredulous passengers and one of the most memorable was an easyJet flight departing Rome. Someone tried to sneak a rather large bag past the gate and were stopped by the agent and told they'd have to check it. A huge argument ensued and finally the Captain came out to gate and said, "I decide what goes on this aircraft, and that bag is not going in the cabin". That ended the argument rather quickly!

There are valid reasons for paying attention to luggage sizes and especially weights. Although not as critical on the larger aircraft, "weight & balance" is an important factor that Pilots have to consider.

It's about time they started stopping the over-packers that take up all the space in overhead compartments! I am another person who tries hard to stay within the carry-on limit so I don't have to wait for my baggage, and I find it really frustrating to find that others have been allowed to board with items that are clearly over the limit, and I can't find space in the overhead for my carry-on size backpack. The rules are pretty clear. Deal with it or check your oversize bags!

I'm still picturing our flight from TO to Halifax, I think it was...and there was a woman with a hardside carry on, but I think when she got thru security, she popped the expandable part - or perhaps she already had it expanded out - whatever it was, she opened her bag and was trying to put something else in - I thought she was going to have to sit on it to get the thing zippered - it looked ready to burst...people like that need to check their bag...it was ridiculous - especially when I am so careful about size and weight...why should she get to take her full to bursting bag on...

Another vote in favor of enforcing carryon rules. It seems to me that on most transatlantic flights, there is enough room in each overhead bin for ONE carryon-size or smaller suitcase/bag PER PERSON in the designated row of seats below each bin. I don't know how many times I've seen people shove a suitcase in there, then their jacket, and then their computer bag or whatever so they can have space under the seat in front of them. It isn't fair to those of us who follow the rules and who are conscientious of other passengers.

I'm increasingly having to choose to use my eBags Weekender carry-on bag, rather than my Rick Steves roll-aboard (old model). The RS, although listed at 21", just doesn't fit into Air Canada's luggage rack - no matter how I try to slide it in... it's a combination of the length with the wheels and the thickness of the bag (even with the outer pockets empty.) :-(

The crackdown on carry-on isn't just affecting AC - I recently experienced this with Westjet, United and American. There's an important difference that I've noted this year between the Canadian airlines and the US airlines: since January, I've been on flights with UA and AA that offered to check-in my carry-on into the hold for no extra charge, when I turned in my 'fee-paid-for' 1st bag at the bag drop-off. In both cases, they knew their flights were full and took this pro-active measure before it became a last-minute issue. Both times, I took them up on the offer.

Unfortunately for RS, buying the newer/smaller model of the roll-aboard is not in the cards for me - eBags products are more competitively priced and just as well-designed and durable.

Another option for those travelling on the smaller regional aircraft which have smaller overhead bins, is to use the Valet Cart (or whatever the airline calls it). I've used that method frequently when travelling on Horizon Air. The cart is right outside the door of the aircraft and the bags placed there are last on / first off. As I recall, Air Canada has a similar program.

Diane and Ken, you're both referring to versions of gate-checking, which I'm happy to do. Diane, you bring up a good point about the airline taking a proactive approach with regard to carry-on luggage, before boarding. That takes care of a lot of bad behavior on the part of passengers - oversize bags, one person taking up too much room in the overhead bin, etc. I don't mind gate-checking because I drop off my luggage next to the plane and get it back next to the plane. It greatly minimizes the chance of my suitcase getting lost or not making it onto the plane.

Sarah,

"Diane and Ken, you're both referring to versions of gate-checking,"

Using the Valet Cart may indeed be a version of gate checking, but thankfully there's no additional $25 charge for using the Cart (at least not yet!).

I have been on at least a couple of regional jet flights (I'm thinking they were American Eagle) where passengers were told their gate-checked bags would not be given back to them upon disembarking, but would be checked through to their final destination. This I would not be happy to do. I confirmed with the gate agent, that had those passengers been connecting to international flights, (Frankfurt for example) their carryon would have been checked through all the way. I dont know if this was equipment issue, or airport issue, (they indicated it was routine for those flights).

Since then, I make effort not to book using regional jets at all, if there is an option. More reason to pack light and not use roller bags for carryon.