[LMB] overhead luggage OT:

[Azalais Aranxta]

Someone said something upthread about not having bags more than
you can carry yourself.  In terms of carryons of course I agree
with you but I can't live for a week or two out of ten pounds of
stuff, even if I get a new laptop; I have to have rolling bags
and a luggage cart, but I check most of my stuff because I don't
want to be bothered with it in the tight space on a plane!

(Please don't tell me how I *could* for two weeks live with ten
pounds of stuff.  I am not going to start wearing jeans and
t-shirts all the time or wearing the same clothes multiple days
before washing, it's not gonna happen.)

I once was really horrified by a shuttle driver who yelled at me
after two weeks in Japan because I had a bag I couldn't lift.
Excuse me, that IS one of these things these guys are paid (and
tipped) to do, and if they expect five dollar tips then they had
better be willing to lift my bags.

As I said above, I check almost everything.  Can't manoeuvre or
carry it all alone without a cart, and I wouldn't dream of taking
up 5 people's space like some folks do.

I do think that if they would give you a size/weight restriction
and STICK to it, they would have more success, because I know for
me my carryons grow in weight when I'm expected to get the laptop
(not that I use it much on planes, but I don't really want to
check it because if it got lost I'd be SUNK) and the meds and my
book and my one change of clothes all in one bag.  The problem
isn't that they lose bags very often.  The problem is that if it
ever happens to you once you will become paranoid as h*ll about
it, especially if needed medication, a computer, or a CPAP
machine is out of your hands for several days.

I also think if they were a little LESS anal about the weight of
checked bags, they'd get a lot more compliance.  I have many
times carried on more to a plane than I would have freely chosen
to because I had to rearrange my stuff when checking my baggage
because my bag was less than 5 pounds over some weight limit.  I
try not to take the kitchen sink with me, but you know, I go to a
lot of conventions and I like to do costuming, and even when I
don't, I'm generally in a long skirt and long sleeves every day,
because that's just how I dress.

Amusing things I have learned include:  if you cover your hair
the TSA will probably search you; but they will be so very, very,
very, VERY nice about it.

Anyhow, when I can put my laptop and purse at my feet separate
from the bag with the meds and all, I never take up extra room,
but sometimes when forced to cram it all in one bag, that's
harder to make fit in one person's space.  I definitely think
they need to focus on how much space it takes up and how heavy it
is rather than how many bags it is in.  *shrug*  Because I'm NOT
going to try to take up more space than I'm allotted, really.
Nor do I want my things to get crushed by those of someone else
who IS.

~malfoy :)

**************************************************************************
"That wickedness weltering around inside of you, inside of everyone, is
sacred somewhere.  There's a deity out there who digs it.  You can respect
and love your darkest side, disposing only of what is obsolete or
impractical.  It's all about giving yourself permission." --Jack Darkhand

"It is better to be cruel for love than for hate." --Thomas Burnett Swann