Yea, I think they want to avoid people taking jumbo fanny packs as a sneaky 3rd carry-on. But… if it is small enough to fit in remaining space in your backpack, then OK.
I’m still liking the backpack recommended last year. Fits nicely under airline seats. And good for road trip (though I keep a smaller purse up front with kindle and snacks)
I get it, but I can fit way more in the pockets of many of my coats than I can in a fanny pack. And bulky coats are much more likely to end up taking space in the overhead bins.
But coats can be squeezed in between or laid across other bags. Bags can’t. That’s why they always ask to wait until everyone has their bags in before putting coats and jackets in the overhead bins. (Of course, not everyone listens.) Or laid across your knees like a blanket. I get that something seems obvious but that’s asking them to make a case by case judgement on everyone who boards with more than 2 items. I do see their logic in just having a rule.
I often take a small crossbody handbag with me when I’m traveling, but I always put it in my backpack before i board.
So can cross body bags, which is what we are talking about here. Regardless, I comply and then put it back on when I get to my seat. Not trying to debate lol.
But I can also see the “cross body” bag getting bigger and bigger ..I mean, you can wear a laptop bag cross body.. and we know there are always people who take chances.
I don’t think I will ever resort to wearing a multi-pocketed vest when I travel but it’s nice to know there are options.
I’m wondering how forceful the direction was onboard to leave carryon items behind because it certainly didn’t look like it was being enforced.
I have an acquaintance who survived the “Miracle on the Hudson” flight with Captain Sully. None of those passengers, balancing for their lives out on the wings, had a purse or carry on in their arms.
There’s a guy on Instagram who rides the trains with 2 corgis - one strapped to the front and one on back!
I thought about this when I saw all the people from this recent flight going down the evac slide with bags. If I knew I were going out on the wing, like in the Miracle on the Hudson flight, no way I’m taking anything. If I were going down the evac slide, I might grab my backpack from under the seat in front of me…it would just be kind of a reflex. I would never try to get something from the overheads.
When those people evacuated from The Miracle on the Hudson flight, it was only around 23 degrees in New York.
Well sure. And that’s called a messenger bag. For the purposes of this discussion I think we are referring to your average very small baggalini or a small (maybe a little bigger than the size of your phone) pouch/hip pack.
I honestly think that as a society, we have become increasingly self centered. Those rules are designed so that everyone can be evacuated safely. Grabbing bags might mean that the people behind you don’t have time to get out - or it might mean someone gets knocked over by your bag or by you getting your bag.
If you’re wearing your cross body, no matter what the shape or how small, it could still get hooked up on an armrest or on the door handle and cause a delay in exiting. If you’re holding onto your phone, you don’t have two free hands to quickly escape the plane. Every second counts in that situation - it’s not a good time to be selfish.
Doesn’t change the idea that you’d need the ground crew to spend time assessing each bag, so it’s easier (and quicker for the majority of passengers) to just stick to the rule. Never mind the fact that there’s always going to be that person arguing with the flight attendants saying “well why were they allowed to take a 3rd item and I’m not?”.
They have to let you get your stuff like medications, glasses, and now, all items with a lithium battery before gate checking.
Problem is do you have another bag to put them in to go under your seat?
I have a backpack for medications, wallet, all the personal items that I must have with me. I also have a CPAP that I never check.
Backpack fits under my seat.
I believe it is an FAA regulation for 2 items per person and that’s why they announce for you to consolidate your small items. I’ve had them say that blankets and neck pillows must be stowed but that’s dumb because that makes your carry ons fat. You can wear your coat on but not carry it on. Also dumb.
Honestly, I rarely get asked to consolidate my cross body bag if I have a rollaway and a computer case.
I once had a lengthy layover at ORD. I was so sad when I had to stuff the Garrett’s popcorn in my backpack!
