I was more than once forced to gate check my guitar because the flight attendants didn’t think any of the overhead bins were wide enough for the case. They were plenty wide.
It was a flat road case for an electric guitar, on a jumbo jet. There was plenty of space for 3 or 4 carry-ons or backpacks to sit on top of it and the bin in question was not even remotely full at take off.
Because musical instruments are specifically allowed by federal DOT rules?
Specifically: ”A small instrument must be accepted as cabin baggage when it fits safely in an approved overhead or under-seat space and that space is available when you board. Ordinary carry-on size limits aren’t a reason to reject an instrument that meets those storage conditions."
And as I said in another comment, laid flat it fit quite easily in the overhead compartment with plenty of room for additional bags. The compartment over my seat was not filled before takeoff and was fully empty when I boarded. It would have been both fine and legal for me to stow it there, but the flight attendants insisted on gate checking it regardless.
Y’know what? Fair enough. I was not aware of the specific instrument restrictions when I made the comment (I fly on an almost weekly basis but it’s for technical work and I don’t fly with instruments).
I will say though, regardless of the fine print restrictions, if I were required to check my carry-on bag and saw a fat-ass instrument case in an overhead storage space… I’d be heated. Lol.
That’s not how overhead bins work. Are you under the impression that the luggage size restrictions are just a suggestion? They’re there to get a space for everyone on the plane, and your “flat” case makes it impossible to fit the large cases of other passengers that are abiding by the restrictions.
Depends on the style of the bin. Most are designed to have the bags placed with their second-longest dimension vertical. If you swap that to horizontal (so rotate the bag 90°), you can fit maybe 3 bags per bin instead of 5, but you free up a few inches where a flat guitar case could easily fit.
I’ve done it more than once on transcontinental flights.
Also, not every carry-on is at the exact maximum size. Plenty of people bring second backpacks, duffel bags, etc. To pretend otherwise is just being obtuse.
As for not abiding size restrictions for carry-ons, the federal Department of Transportation specifically has a carve-out for instruments being allowed as carry-ons so long as they fit in a bin and aren’t so large that they would need the passenger to purchase an additional seat, like you might need to for a double bass or tuba.
I think, perhaps, before chiding me for ignoring the rules, you should learn what the rules are.
If you swap that to horizontal (so rotate the bag 90°), you can fit maybe 3 bags per bin instead of 5
So denying space to other passengers.
Also, not every carry-on is at the exact maximum size. Plenty of people bring second backpacks, duffel bags, etc. To pretend otherwise is just being obtuse.
Yeah, just have the flight attendants take care of the tedious easter egg hunt to find bags that can fit in the lessened space and other bags to take those spaces. I’m sure they don’t have anything better to do before take off 🙄
I think, perhaps, before chiding me for ignoring the rules, you should learn what the rules are.
Yeah, the US government saying you can technically be a dick really lets you off the hook here. Congrats. /s
Uh, no? Like I said, flight attendants are very preemptive about gate checking them, to the point where even on flights where it would have had plenty of space they’ll still gate check it.
Yeah, just have the flight attendants take care of the tedious easter egg hunt to find bags that can fit in the lessened space and other bags to take those spaces. I’m sure they don’t have anything better to do before take off 🙄
I didn’t say I’ve made flight attendants do that (I haven’t, I talk to other passengers looking for places for their bags, y’know, like an adult).
Why are you so insistent on taking the most entitled possible tone from me?
Yeah, the US government saying you can technically be a dick really lets you off the hook here. Congrats. /s
You know, I genuinely hope someday you have the joys of dealing with someone just like yourself.
I was more than once forced to gate check my guitar because the flight attendants didn’t think any of the overhead bins were wide enough for the case. They were plenty wide.
Wouldn’t a guitar take up like 3 or 4 people’s worth of luggage space
Now we know why they keep running out of overhead bin space
It was a flat road case for an electric guitar, on a jumbo jet. There was plenty of space for 3 or 4 carry-ons or backpacks to sit on top of it and the bin in question was not even remotely full at take off.
Did your guitar case fit inside the carry-on bag sizer? Why do you think it’s ok to do this lol?
Because musical instruments are specifically allowed by federal DOT rules?
Specifically: ”A small instrument must be accepted as cabin baggage when it fits safely in an approved overhead or under-seat space and that space is available when you board. Ordinary carry-on size limits aren’t a reason to reject an instrument that meets those storage conditions."
https://www.airtravelquestions.com/tsa-rules/can-you-bring-a-musical-instrument-on-a-plane
And as I said in another comment, laid flat it fit quite easily in the overhead compartment with plenty of room for additional bags. The compartment over my seat was not filled before takeoff and was fully empty when I boarded. It would have been both fine and legal for me to stow it there, but the flight attendants insisted on gate checking it regardless.
Y’know what? Fair enough. I was not aware of the specific instrument restrictions when I made the comment (I fly on an almost weekly basis but it’s for technical work and I don’t fly with instruments).
I will say though, regardless of the fine print restrictions, if I were required to check my carry-on bag and saw a fat-ass instrument case in an overhead storage space… I’d be heated. Lol.
Safe travels 🤙🏾
Yeah, because those are meant to hold more than a single case taking up all the space.
Plenty of bags could have fit on top of my flat, 4-inch thick electric guitar case.
That’s not how overhead bins work. Are you under the impression that the luggage size restrictions are just a suggestion? They’re there to get a space for everyone on the plane, and your “flat” case makes it impossible to fit the large cases of other passengers that are abiding by the restrictions.
Depends on the style of the bin. Most are designed to have the bags placed with their second-longest dimension vertical. If you swap that to horizontal (so rotate the bag 90°), you can fit maybe 3 bags per bin instead of 5, but you free up a few inches where a flat guitar case could easily fit.
I’ve done it more than once on transcontinental flights.
Also, not every carry-on is at the exact maximum size. Plenty of people bring second backpacks, duffel bags, etc. To pretend otherwise is just being obtuse.
As for not abiding size restrictions for carry-ons, the federal Department of Transportation specifically has a carve-out for instruments being allowed as carry-ons so long as they fit in a bin and aren’t so large that they would need the passenger to purchase an additional seat, like you might need to for a double bass or tuba.
I think, perhaps, before chiding me for ignoring the rules, you should learn what the rules are.
So denying space to other passengers.
Yeah, just have the flight attendants take care of the tedious easter egg hunt to find bags that can fit in the lessened space and other bags to take those spaces. I’m sure they don’t have anything better to do before take off 🙄
Yeah, the US government saying you can technically be a dick really lets you off the hook here. Congrats. /s
Uh, no? Like I said, flight attendants are very preemptive about gate checking them, to the point where even on flights where it would have had plenty of space they’ll still gate check it.
I didn’t say I’ve made flight attendants do that (I haven’t, I talk to other passengers looking for places for their bags, y’know, like an adult).
Why are you so insistent on taking the most entitled possible tone from me?
You know, I genuinely hope someday you have the joys of dealing with someone just like yourself.