Also, many times our crew bags get sent somewhere else by mistake. Which would be an absolute nightmare.
Yes, I do understand that people pay a lot for flying, and it does pay our salaries, especially those in first class. But why should we be barred from bringing our own bags onto the plane???

If it’s THAT important, do what I do when travelling as a passenger- PUT IT AT YOUR FEET!

Another one we get a lot is that people cram their bags into equipment lockers which are clearly labelled ‘Emergency Equipment Only’ and then get mad when we have to move it. Um, last I checked your 20-ton bag is NOT emergency equipment. For example, one flight we had to get an oxygen bottle only to find while we were all busy some silly person had stuffed their backpack in, meaning it took extra time to get the medical equipment out.

Passengers, if the sign says NOT FOR PASSENGER USE, this does mean you!!!!

Carlitos, many airlines do not permit crew to check their luggage. Also, when we are doing 5 sectors in a day, with 40min turnarounds (including boarding 20min prior to departure) there is no time for luggage to be transferred.

You’d no doubt be the first to dog on the crew for being late to the next aircraft. You can’t have it both ways. Either they’re on time with their luggage in the cabin, or late because they’ve checked it. Pick.

Thanks for trying to tell us all how much and what to pack in our bags. Next time, I will do the same to you when you board my flight.

This really did bring up a good topic. As usual, love the post!

1. On several (domestic) airlines, cabin crew carry food containers because crew meals have been eliminated (also not to mention the $15 club sandwich, but it’s also my experience most layover hotels discount food for airline employees, was that price post-discount?), and there is often not time to grab an overpriced airport meal in between flights, especially during a delay.

2. While passengers only have to worry about bin space for one or two flights, crew members may have to worry about it for up to five, depending on routing and duration. Advantage: Crew.

3. Airlines are faced with a dilemma. Provide adequate “non public” closet space for cabin and flight crew to stow their luggage, or put in more passenger seats. Airlines have opted for the latter, leaving crew to answer the uncomfortable inquiries about their bags in the overhead bins. Should the required closts be installed, it would reduce revenue capacity per aircraft, and could increase fares.

4. Many airline union contracts tie legal rest to amount of time spent at place of lodging in addition to amount of time between block hours. Flight attendants who would have to wait to claim checked luggage could create inefficiencies in scheduling, raising costs, and subsequently, fares. I understand many international flight attendants check bags on a regular basis, but those layovers can often be several days, rather than just a few hours.

5. The “I paid money, therefore I’m entitled” argument is so typically American. It’s also false. It’s the same excuse used by drunks (I can drink as much as I want in First Class, I paid for it). US domestic flight attendants are often caught in between the needs of the entitled passengers who paid oftentimes loss-making fares, and the needs of the airlines who almost seem to blame the employees need for things like overhead bin space and crew meals and decent hotels when the airline isn’t profitable.

6. United dealt with this onboard Ted aircraft, where closets were removed and the inflight entertainment system took up the first few overhead bins, which are by the way, installed for passenger convenience. When it boils down to it, passengers are entitlted in most carriers’ contract of carriage to transportation from point A to B, with a defined amount of luggage. The COC does not define where the passenger is entitlted to stow their luggage, and it does not guarantee availability of space in the aircraft cabin. Fact is, aside from the seat you sit in, which you have paid for transportation in, the airline retains ownership of the rest of the aircraft, including overhead bins, and if they want to transport crew bags or camelias or crepe paper, it’s their right to do so.