David Walliams and Matt Lucas in the TV programme 'Come Fly With Me'.
THE days of passengers being able to carry luggage on to planes for free could be numbered with the Flight Attendants Association of Australia pushing for an overhaul of current baggage arrangements by airlines.
Cabin crew claim they are regularly being injured and running out of space in the aircraft, as passengers go to great lengths to avoid the hassle and expense of checking in their bags.
Jo-Ann Davidson from the FAAA said they were planning a New Year campaign targeting airlines and regulatory bodies, to get a review of cabin luggage and changes to incentives to carry-on.
"We'd like to see a standard applied throughout the whole industry so there's no one airline saying they've got a disadvantage because some are allowing 10kg, and some allowing two bags," said Ms Davidson.
"We want a standard that's manageable for the cabin crew, especially for those flying on smaller aircraft where overhead lockers are smaller."
She said much of the problem lay with airlines themselves, for failing to strictly impose weight restrictions on carry on luggage.
Most of the time, passengers are permitted to carry on luggage of any weight providing it is not oversized.
Ms Davidson said this was causing real challenges for cabin crew, and putting their bodies on the line.
"The crew are usually running around at the last minute to stow and lift bags. It is becoming a huge issue for crew, and injuries are being sustained," she said.
With charges for check-in luggage ranging from $20 for a second bag on Qantas to potentially hundreds of dollars for excess baggage, Ms Davidson said passengers were now wanting to "bring on the kitchen sink" to avoid extra costs.
"Businessmen don't want to wait at the end of the flight for their bag, that's understandable," she said.
"But it becomes a problem when 150 people want the same."
In the US the problem is so great, airlines have been forced to introduce a policy of first-in best dressed, requiring some passengers to check in their luggage at their own expense when room for carry-on runs out.
Any changes are likely to be hard fought though, with airlines earning millions of dollars from ancillary charges such as check in luggage fees.
In 2011-12, the Qantas Group increased its ancillary earnings from $90 million to $346 million.
Virgin Australia also made more money out of passengers through charges related to baggage, meals, drinks, seat selection and lounge membership pulling in $417.9 million, up from $313.3 million.
Ms Davidson said they would seek an industry-wide standard for carry on luggage, and changes in incentives.
"It cannot continue the way it is," she said.
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