Shrinking carry-on luggage ‘is a step too far,’ Democrat says

A Democratic House member is introducing legislation to block airlines that charge for checking luggage from shrinking the allowed size of passengers’ carry-on bags.  

The International Air Transport Association called last week for airlines to limit the size of bags that are carried onto flights to a size of 21.5 by 13.5 by 7.5 inches. Most U.S. airlines currently allow bags that are up to 22 by 14 by 9 inches. 

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) said Tuesday that airlines that are charging passengers for checked luggage should leave the size of carry-on bags alone because passengers are already paying enough fees for flights. 

{mosads}“Consumers are tired of being squeezed — physically and fiscally — by airlines and this proposal is a step too far,” Cohen said in a statement. 

“It is a transparent attempt to squeeze even more money out of passengers by forcing them to pay baggage fees to check luggage they purchased specifically to avoid those fees,” he continued. “The new proposed carry-on size limits should not be allowed to go into effect, especially at a time when the airlines are already making huge profits.”

Supporters of requiring smaller carry-on luggage have argued that the restriction would speed up the boarding process for flights. 

“The development of an agreed optimal cabin bag size will bring common sense and order to the problem of differing sizes for carry-on bags,” Tom Windmuller, IATA’s senior vice president for airport, passenger, cargo and security, said in a statement after the proposal was released last week. 

“We know the current situation can be frustrating for passengers,” Windmuller continued. “This work will help to iron out inconsistencies and lead to an improved passenger experience.” 

Customer groups have attributed the increase in the amount of carry-on luggage to fees for checked baggage implemented by almost every U.S. airline in recent years. 

They say passengers are carrying on bags that they would have previously checked to their destinations to avoid the fees. 

Airlines have defended the bag fees, saying it allows passengers to choose how much luggage they want to bring on flights. 

The Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics state that airlines collected $3.5 billion from baggage fees in 2014.

Cohen’s office said Tuesday that he is introducing the legislation to block the proposal because “eight international airlines have already adopted the new size guidelines, with more expected to follow.”