Good job, United Airlines. You got us out of EWR last Friday early and got us home Tuesday at least thirty minutes ahead of schedule. Not for nothing, but I didn't think there was an ice cube's chance in hell of that happening. And I even got an extra chocolate cookie snack. The flight attendant asked if I wanted two, so I obliged. When Doris and I travel, we very rarely do trips that require luggage for only a couple of days. Carry-on luggage. Nope, when we go away, our suitcases are loaded, and when I throw that sucker on the scale, I'm always a little concerned about staying under that 50 lb. limit. But, in reality, the most I ever got to was 48. Doris never tips the scale past 37 or 38. Little people, little clothes. Me, if I'm lugging that thing to the airport, I'm getting everything I can inside of that suitcase, without breaking the zipper, of course. It's the shoes! Sorry luggage handlers and chauffeurs. Now, about carry-on luggage and overhead bins. According to AI or Google, the standard size for carry-on luggage is 22 x 14 x 9, and that includes the wheels and handles. This is what you are allowed to take on the major airlines, United, Delta, American, etc. I know my ugly green regulated bag falls under those parameters, but when we are sitting in the waiting area before boarding, I begin to wonder if I got this whole size thing wrong. The gatekeeper who monitors you as you are boarding the plane usually makes continued announcements about your carry-on and how it has to meet the requirements to fit in the overhead bins. I'm thinking to myself that there finally will be justice, and that the guy with the 30 x 30 x 14 suitcase will be told this is not happening. Not on my plane. Am I so wrong? On the plane, it goes, and the monster suitcase, which should be down below in stowage, for $70, is taking up a whole section of the bin because it goes in sideways and not straight in. What is causing this issue is now one can pay an extra $29, which gives them priority boarding, not seating. Just the ability to get on before others in the number two lane. So, these slick travelers and their two carry-ons, oops, one carry-on and one personal item!, wink, wink, get on with no questions asked. Why upset someone who just paid an extra $29? Problem is, when that priority line is called up, it is now at least two-thirds of the passengers. Me? I just give up, and when the gatekeeper asks if there are volunteers to check the bag at the gate, yep, that's me. Take my bag because I do not want to be in the film, which is now out, as of this morning, from the Department of Transportation, on civility. I'm sharing the link, but if you don't want to open it, it is easy enough to find. DOT Civility Campaign This is not made up. It appears to be social media film directors capturing travelers in their finest hours. Think People's Express tenfold. Be safe. John A Sutich Just Another Story Blog