Types of people traveling, categorized by carry on

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
10/01/2019 at 10:02 • Filed to: None

No carry on - Literally nothing? Either a total badass or a terrorist.

Small bag or backpack (messenger, purse, etc) - Pro traveler. Knows what they need.

Small roller bag or duffel plus personal item - Quick trip or maybe on a tight budget. Either way, handles their shit.

Large roller bag and personal item - Probably also checked two bags. High probability they’ll put both in the first available overhead bin even though they’re at the back of the plane. Lines up as soon as boarding starts even though they’re in the 2nd to last group. So... The majority of travelers.

Large roller bag, large personal item, jacket, blanket, hot coffee or other spilly beverage - Burden to themselves and everyone around them. Has literally never placed an item in the overhead bin themselves, they just stand in the aisle and struggle pointlessly until someone helps. Bag has never successfully fit in an overhead bin but still gets outraged when asked to gate check it. (AFTER failing to get it in the bin) Asks to switch seats with you because they just can’t sit in a middle seat. Might have a small dog or child as carry on. Lacks all common courtesy and self awareness.

DISCUSSION (69)

MonkeePuzzle > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 10:07

I rarely need access to more than the things I can carry in m pocket (phone, book, headphones), but always carry a small backpack of stuff as carry on. but thats because I never trust my checked bag to actually arrive.

The Ghost of Oppo > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 10:12

I always judge people by the size of their carry on

E90M3 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 10:12

I bring a duffel bag that fits in every over head compartment, even the ones where they make you gate check everything, and a backpack that fits under my seat. After my bag didn’t make it to Moscow, I have an aversion to checking bags.

Tripper > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 10:17

“Small bag or backpack (messenger, purse, etc) - Pro traveler. Knows what they need.”

My 12l Lowe Alpine is the largest bag I’ll carry on (12l is a small backpack). When I travel to our other offices, colleages are like “ that is all you brought!?”. Yeah...who want’s to fuck around with a bunch of stuff you don’t need.

Also, people with small rollers think they’re slick until it’s a “full flight” so you have to end up checking it anyway...Say goodbye to at least an hour of your day and probably your luggage.

wafflesnfalafel > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 10:17

P icked up my wife from the airport last night and there was a lady walking around the busy baggage claim area with three small rat dogs all on long leashes wandering around apparently looking for folks she was supposed to meat. It was hilarious - the dogs of course were spazzed out and were running in all directions winding their leashes around everybody else waiting for their bags.

Azrek > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 10:17

As a frequent traveler; I agree with most of these. I am in the “Nothing” category or if I am going overseas I have a small backpack with spare clothes and toiletries. My bag was delayed a week in Africa...that was painful.

If I am domestic flying, I have cargo pants/shorts and just hang my headphones around my neck, tablet in a pocket, phone in another pocket and get comfy.

There are also the people who bring full size pillows onto the plane, smelly food, and the oddly shaped sports bags.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 10:24

Me: travel backpack as a carry on + motorcycle helmet bag as a personal item. No checked bags.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 10:32

Duffle/gym bags are your friend. You can pack them as full as you want and somehow they can still be made to fit pretty much anywhere.

Not as easy to carry as a backpack, but still...

ranwhenparked > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 10:35

When I fly, it's usually for work, and I check everything except my briefcase. It's really a liberating feeling to be able to walk around the terminal without having to fumble around with a bunch of crap, highly recommend it.

Ash78, voting early and often > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 10:35

Pepperidge Farm remembers when free checked bags were still A Thing. People only brought carryons that were backpacks, purses, or diaper bags. If you saw someone rolling a bag down an aisle, it looked weird...and then you realized it was a flight attendant with 3 days worth of clothes in it.

And you would usually put your carryon under the seat in front of you. Because the whole point of a carryon was the stuff that you wanted to access during the flight.

Overhead bins were like the ghetto, especially if you didn’t get one right above your seat. I kid you not, on a full flight, the overheads would be like half full.

They brought this on themselves and I still don’t think they’re coming out ahead (revenues up, customer happiness down...long-term BAD)

Sammyno55 > Ash78, voting early and often
10/01/2019 at 10:38

I travel for busiiness frequently and remember free checked bags and empty OH bins. It made boarding and de-planing much better.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 10:39

I’d check more if I didn’t have to wait 30 minutes to retrieve it after the flight. Flying for business, carry-on and laptop bag . Traveling with the family,.....well it just sucks.

Sammyno55 > ranwhenparked
10/01/2019 at 10:40

I travel for work and frequently ship pallets of equipment ahead of my departure. Putting my checked bag on the pallet makes it the best of both worlds. No bags to carry in the airport and no bags to pickup at the baggage claim.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Azrek
10/01/2019 at 10:41

What I don’t get is people showing up in sweats, some crappy terminal McDonalds, neck pillow, and headphones. Then proceed to take their crocs off.

Have some decency people.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 10:47

you forgot to add the ‘Entire extended family, including a bunch of kids under 3 for some reason. At least one of which who will be screaming the entire flight”

Azrek > Future next gen S2000 owner
10/01/2019 at 10:51

If I am traveling over 6 hours I will take my shoes off at a certain point, but not for something like Tampa to Atlanta.

I accept if people bring on bottles of water or coffee. Not McDonalds....or BBQ.

The Ghost of Oppo > Ash78, voting early and often
10/01/2019 at 10:51

Some where I recently saw a news clip from probably the early 90's in which people were outraged at having to pay $5 to check a bag. Oh how innoc ent we were

BigBlock440 > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick)
10/01/2019 at 10:54

including a bunch of kids under 3 for some reason

I’m guessing that reason is that they were born less than 3 years ago?

Ash78, voting early and often > Future next gen S2000 owner
10/01/2019 at 10:55

I’ve seen entire high school basketball teams show up, every one of them just like that. It was unreal.

DipodomysDeserti > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 10:57

I pack all my stuff in my backpacking pack then check it in for free at the gate when they inevitably make the plea to save overhead space. Only thing I need for carry on is water, a book and my phone. K iddos have a small backpack fir their essentials. I’ve never understood how so many parents need so much shit to travel.

fintail > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 10:57

Somehow every flight I’ve taken out of Seatac has plenty of that last group. You can also spot them in the security lines, being befuddled like they’ve never interacted with humans in public before.

For trips under a week, I carry on, for more, I just check and roll the dice. I’ve yet to lose anything (hope that isn’t a jinx) but I did have a bag reach me in Germany 2 or 3 days after I arrived. On long trips, I carry and check, placing a couple days worth of clothing in the checked bag. Toiletries are bought at the destination.

Ash78, voting early and often > The Ghost of Oppo
10/01/2019 at 10:57

I never, ever remember paying a dime unless it was over 5 0# . Even then, you just open the bag, grab a few of the heavier things, and shove them in your carryon.

To be fair, flying today is generally cheaper than 20 years ago (even with paying for checked bags) but they service is way down. Everyone pretty much agrees with that.

It’s not like the attendants were kissing ass 20 years ago, but you’d always have blankets, pillows, free headphones, etc. But today you have seatback entertainment, chargers, and tons of other stuff.

Ash78, voting early and often > wafflesnfalafel
10/01/2019 at 10:59

I despise seeing dogs in most public places. THIS ISN’T FRANCE!

(don’t get me wrong, I love dogs, but in the past few years there’s some kind of Dog Entitlement Movement going on)

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > BigBlock440
10/01/2019 at 11:02

I think he meant more like “a bunch of kids who are all somehow under 3”

For Sweden > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 11:05

I don’t travel with a backpack because I’m not 10 years old

facw > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 11:15

On domestic flights I usually carry a small laptop bag and a roll- aboard (that actually meets the size requirements), if need to keep a suit relatively wrinkle free, or a backpack (normal, or the larger carry-on size, depending on how long I’m gone for and what sort of clothes I need) otherwise.

I’m currently dogless, but when I had dogs I’d frequently bring them (paid, not claiming them as emotional support animals), in which case the laptop bag would go in my other bag to stay in the two bag limit.

I go to the gate to line up at most one group before it’s called unless there is a separate line for my boarding group (don’t want to block people either way), but I do want to make sure I get earlier, because that’s more comfortable, it makes sure there is room for my bag, and because I always do window seats and prefer to minimize the chance I’m having to make people move so I can get to my seat.

For i nternational flights I usually check my bag, even though it would probably fit in the carry on (just the combination of it being free and less of a hassle).

I feel like people who only bring a small backpack or messenger bag must be making short trips, or have pretty basic clothing requirements.

smobgirl > Sammyno55
10/01/2019 at 11:34

That’s absolutely brilliant.

Sammyno55 > smobgirl
10/01/2019 at 11:36

You can also ship boxes to yourself at your hotel.

smobgirl > For Sweden
10/01/2019 at 11:36

I travel with a backpack because my spine is made of titanium and I need the weight of my laptop balanced on both shoulders.

For Sweden > smobgirl
10/01/2019 at 11:37

Are you W olverine?

For Sweden > Ash78, voting early and often
10/01/2019 at 11:38

You can still get that for the price you paid before if you fly in business or first class.

smobgirl > Sammyno55
10/01/2019 at 11:40

I guess some people can. My work travel never involves more than one overnight unless it’s a multi-city driving trip. When I used to teach band kids we would have them throw their checked bags on the truck for long trips.

functionoverfashion > For Sweden
10/01/2019 at 11:57

I love traveling with a backpack because [see username]

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 12:18

... they just stand in the aisle and struggle pointlessly until someone helps...

Or half-ass try to give the appearance of struggling. If I’m in arm’s reach, I’ll put anyone’s bag in the overhead for them because it makes me look manly.

But yeah, all of the above.

My thing when I fly, which is not a frequent occurrence in my life, is to be cool to the flight attendants. Look them in the eye, treat them like humans, cooperate with them, and jump to their aid when they need something, like switching seats, or whatever. My aim is to demonstrate to the FAs that there is at least one flyer out there who is not that guy . There are so many buttholes out there flying...

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > For Sweden
10/01/2019 at 12:20

I use a backpack with pink Hawai’ian flowers, which backpack I appropriated from one of my daughters when she was about 12 years old. After she wrote nothings all over it with a Sharpie.

But Upgrade Time may be upon me.

Sammyno55 > smobgirl
10/01/2019 at 12:21

My typical trips are 15-20 days, so packing is important. Overnight trips are backpack sized bags.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 12:32

Hot tip: The Jack Wolfskin Rushcutter is the king of travel backpacks. It has everything a person could want, including a big pouch with a laptop sleeve that can accomodate even my Lenovo W530 mobile workstation, a medium pouch with organizer pockets, a thin pouch for your tablet and an included padded tablet case. It’s got side pockets that are perfect for water bottles, straps and cinches to manage the bag’s volume, super comfy padded shoulder straps and backpad, a little raincoat that folds up in the bottom, and a safety whistle!

Kinja'd!!!

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > BigBlock440
10/01/2019 at 13:04

.....but why are they on the airplane, screaming uninhibited (I don’t have kids & I’m sure there are reasons but I don’t remember any vacation before I was 5)

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Snuze: Needs another Swede
10/01/2019 at 13:11

Since the zipper on my long serving Swiss Gear just broke, this is relevant to my interests

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Ash78, voting early and often
10/01/2019 at 13:31

I’m all for dogs in public if and only if they’re well behaved. People seem to miss that last part.

Though, confession, I took both my pups on a walk that semi accidentally ended at a wine bar. We sat on the porch and had a glass and it was nice. I had the dogs under control (the young one luuuuuuuvs people) right until a table sat next to us, lurved him, and then he got over excited. Not bad but one of them ended up with a 75 pound dog in her lap. Kinda her fault, but still felt bad.

Not sure why I told that story...

Ash78, voting early and often > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 13:52

LOL...all good. I accept that when I lovingly pet a dog, I have to be ready for the results :)

Plus, you were outside. I give you a pass...I’m more talking about the “handbag accessory dogs” that people feel like it’s suddenly okay to bring into every single store, regardless of policy. Home Depot is the weirdest one.

I mean, I understand that leaving the dog in the car is a bad idea and sometimes you have no choice if you’re gone all day. But the numbers tell me it’s bigger than that.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Ash78, voting early and often
10/01/2019 at 14:14

Agree except for the Home Depot thing. I think they're dog friendly now? I see a lot of bigger dogs there too

Ash78, voting early and often > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 14:18

Interesting...I just thought people were being sneaky. I guess I figured a place with lots of places to hide, plus tons of electricity and sharp tools (and bushes to “mark”) would be the last place to go dog-friendly!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 14:53

I travel for business frequently and in the last two-three years I am down to a single 28L Patagonia backpack. I can do this for up to a 3-4 day trip. I do like fresh underwear everyday! It can fit under the plane seat or in the overhead bin very easily.

Kinja'd!!!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 15:01

I think they discontinued them a little while ago so it may be hard to find, but if you come across one I’d suggest getting it. I really love this thing.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > For Sweden
10/01/2019 at 15:22

Oh look at you mr. fancy pants.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/01/2019 at 15:24

Being nice to the FA’s, give them a genuine smile and hello goes a long ways to making the flight go well.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/01/2019 at 15:37

People are such social morons these days and I think it’s contributing to emotional and mental unhealth in young adults.

smobgirl > For Sweden
10/01/2019 at 15:37

Probably a couple crashes short but give it time.

arl > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 17:19

Flying is turning into riding a Greyhound bus. Crazy, inconsiderate, a-holes eating junk food, blasting their headphones, cutting in front of you to rush off the plane to get more junk food.

And my wife wonders why I hate flying.....

Wow, I have my “Grump Old Man” hat today, don’t I?

OK, off to hop in the Mustang and drop the top.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/01/2019 at 21:24

“High probability they’ll put both in the first available overhead bin even though they’re at the back of the plane.”

I hate dickheads who do this. They deserve to have their luggage ransacked. Ok, maybe not that, but at least removed from the cabin and delivered to the baggage compartment.

f86sabre > Azrek
10/01/2019 at 21:37

On long hauls, and if I’m up front in a lie flat, I will slip off my socks after I snuggle in. I can’t sleep with hot feet. I do try and use the socks in the amenity kit when I’m up and about so as to not gas people out with my stinky shoes socks.

A basic backpack for toting the tablet, god forbid the laptop, various charging tech and clean basics if I’m flying international.

f86sabre > For Sweden
10/01/2019 at 21:43

We are not here to judge your fanny pack.

Kinja'd!!!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/01/2019 at 21:47

I usually get extra cookies for being nice.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Ash78, voting early and often
10/02/2019 at 12:13

Just looked it up and apparently they do not have a policy or if they do it is “no dogs” but people do it anyway. It always seemed like an odd choice to me too between sharp stuff to get in their paws, swinging stuff that they might bonked by, and a lot of stuff they might think it is OK to pee on (boy dogs) HD ... seems like a poor choice.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > fintail
10/02/2019 at 12:15

You can also spot them in the security lines

And in Pre-Check for some reason. We’ve taken to calling it the “stroller and first timer traveler” line. It is so weird. My partner is pre-check and I am not, so if we’re not on the same itinerary we’ll “race” to see who gets through first. It is usually close, but I’ve beaten him a couple times.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
10/02/2019 at 12:17

I have several duffel bags that are lovely to travel with. Only complaint is on a long layover I hate having to babysit them. Also mine are canvas and I loathe setting them on the bathroom floor when I need to do my business.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > arl
10/02/2019 at 12:20

Dude sitting behind me jumped into the asile and sauntered to the front of the plane right after we landed, in that brief window when not everyone is standing in the aisle because standing is glorious after a long flight . Not in a “I’ve got a tight connection” way (the flight was early) but in a entitled prick way. I didn’t expect it to bother me as much as it did, but here I am still thinking about it.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/02/2019 at 12:21

In my experience, being a friendly, warm human toward a FA will bring about a favorable outcome from any reasonable request.

PS: I would not want their job... I prefer rooms full of 8th graders...

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > TheRealBicycleBuck
10/02/2019 at 12:21

Like... I get it, you want to make sure it gets in before your seat because trying to retrieve a bag from a bin behind you is balls, but have some courtesy !

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/02/2019 at 12:22

We put certs mints in our 8th grade math teachers coffee, he had halitosis and was a close talker.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/02/2019 at 12:45

B athroom floors are indeed a challenge

TheRealBicycleBuck > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/02/2019 at 14:12

There should be a rule - put it in the bin over your head or put it in with the rest of the baggage. Next time I’m at the front and have to put my bag in a bin behind me, I’m going to block the whole aisle until I get my bag and let everyone know that it’s because someone else used the bin above me to store theirs.

fintail > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/02/2019 at 14:32

Ha, I’ve noticed the same thing, at least in domestic security - not much of a difference. But I seldom fly at very busy times, so it might not be meant to be important then.

I will say having Global Entry makes an enormous difference coming home from abroad, probably saved me an hour with the insane line at customs on my last big trip .

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/02/2019 at 14:50

O ops!

RangerSmith > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/03/2019 at 03:02

The pros just pack a light backpack. Easy to carry, easy to store under the seat in front of you/ or in the overhead bin and the best part is that they hang on the hooks when you gotta poop.

AdverseMartyr > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/03/2019 at 06:58

The only airport that I can guarantee a difference is the international (going to continents) terminal in Honolulu. TSA made all the security gates except the central one into Pre-Check only, and that means all the tourists are using the central gate. Which means the lucky SOB with Pre-Check flying United can get his boarding pass walk out the exit for dropping off baggage and into a security lane. Meanwhile, non-PC has to exit the baggage dropoff, walk 200 yards to the central security gate, and then stand in line with 200+ other people; once through security its that 200 yard walk back to all of the United gates.

BigBlock440 > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick)
10/03/2019 at 15:08

.....but why are they on the airplane

Again, I’m guessing here, but maybe their parents wanted to go somewhere, and the kennel was full?

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > BigBlock440
10/03/2019 at 16:41

It’s the intersection of being on the plane and screaming that I take issue with.