The Tough Tactics to Avoid Luggage Check-In Fees

Does any line actually check the bag dimensions? I haven't seen them. Seems like anything short of a golf bag ends up in the cabin.
A bit concerned about the 195lb per passenger calculation for weight and balance I would guess. 195#?? Have you looked around? Huge carryons make the passenger somewhere in the 160-170 range?? Not in a million years, not in the US.

How I avoid check baggage fees- when the gate person annouces that they will check the bag to its final destination for free if you bring the bag up to them, I am first to do it. I have not carried on or paided a fee in about a dozen flights.

Like others, i wait and let the gate agents check it for free.

Airlines should start charging for carry on bags and let the traveler check their bag for free. This would hopefully discourage people from taking a bunch of luggage into the cabin (destined for the overhead bin) and thus cut down on the amount of time it takes to board and disembark an aircraft. It should take about fifteen minutes to board a 320 or 73...not 30!

Here's where the US postal Service could shine. Mail it! If it fits it ships! Have it waiting for you when you arrive. No hassle, through security or check-in or boarding. No one stealing your stuff.

Just wait near the end of the boarding line, so when you get to the plane, the overhead bins are full, and they will check your bag FREE. They operate on the late in, first out basis, so your bag will be one of the first ones as you exit the plane, or as some airlines do, send it to baggage claim with the other bags.

When I showed up for a small regional jet flight with my carry-on the attendant at the counter took a look at it and said it was not going to fit in the bin. She checked it for free.

Almost all of my travel is international (actual miles 100K+/yr). Due to several FF programs, I haven't paid fees in years. I also travel light - one checked bag for 1-2 month trips. I do have to carry the maximum allowed on board though. I've had my baggage lost for up to a week (I do a lot of Africa work) and can't afford not to be ready to work on Monday morning. My carry-on though is below the limit - even for Ethiopian Airlines, who check and measure... Sure, I've seen plenty of "carry-on" abuse, especially multiple duty free bags. If luggage was more reliable, I would cut back on my carry-on - don't see that happening soon though.

Next time, Mr. Carroll should try Southwest Airlines where checked bags fly free. WN flys nonstop to LAX and SNA from MDW. I never experienced the scene he described when flying WN.