[noodles76]

I flew from Tampa to Charlotte. I was charged $39 each way because the bag was oversize. The website clearly states that the bad cannot be over 62" so I measured before I left my home and the bag was 60".

When I go to the airport, they used a measuring tape that is cloth and measured the height from top to bottom from the very bottom, around the corner and all the way to the middle of the top. It measured in 2.5 inches too long and the bag was considered oversize.

So, i just left it at that, but when the same measuring technique was used in Charlotte, I got ****** off. I explained to the agent the the measurement was not taken correctly and she told me that is how they are told to measure.

I called Airtran customer service and they said if that is procedure, then they can do nothing.

Just for everybody's information, the manufacturers website verifies my measurements of 60" and I called Airtran back to let them know and they told me that the manufacturers website must be wrong. GO figure.

[freddiecm]

just fly with a smaller bag.

[Jetliner]

The manufacturer's info is for an empty bag. Did the bag bulge at all? Also was it expanded?

[jimworcs]

The manufacturer states that the bag is 60 inches. AirTran decides to invent a bizarre measuring system which makes a 60inch bag into a 62.5 inch bag. Freddiecm's helpful solution.. get a smaller bag!! How much should that be?

Let's all play the random airline employee guessing game... the rule says 60 inches, but freddie says.. guess again.. we mean AirTran inches.. and that is 2.5 inches smaller. Perhaps next time it will be Jetliner inches.. these are measured by the bulge.. so you should guess again.. maybe 55 inches. This is a really good game... there are other airline guessing games that we can play...

Guess when check in will close... is it the 45 minutes it says on the website.. or freddiecm time.. say 50 minutes, or 47 bulging minutes

I am liking this game more and more... I can think of loads of variations.. and think what fun it will be for power crazed airline employees and how frustrating it will be for tired and weary passengers! What fun!

[Jetliner]

The manufacturer gives the measurements for a flat bag, not when the bag is so overstuffed that you have to sit on it to get it closed.

[Adrienne]

The determination of whether or not the bag is oversized has nothing to do with dimension but whether or not the employee has an attitude. I had the same thing happen yesterday January 4th, 2009.

My bag has flown on most airlines domestically and internationally. It's been measured once and even stuffed it wasn't over-sized but in AirTran inches, it's a monster. She measured faster than anyone I've ever seen and no supervisor was readily available. By now it's just under an hour before my flight and I want to be at the gate, not arguing at the counter. I call 1-800-AIRTRAN from the airport and they saw to go back, wait another 45 minutes in line, have my bag pulled from wherever it goes, wait for the supervisor and have them measure. At the same time miss my flight and get sacked with more fees.

I flew with the same bag on AirTran 5 days prior with no problem. The bag did not have the extender open nor was anything packed in the front compartments but she measured "at least" 61.5". Yes, my 3/4 full standard Samsonite roller suddenly became oversized. 61.5" for a soft front suitcase they are going to smash into the cargo hold.

So yes, I will agree that they are a ripoff and exceptionally rude. The ticket counter agent did more eye rolling than my teenage niece and my ticket purchase pays her. That unwarranted $39 fee cost them the thousands we spend flying each year. But not just my thousands. I've already told my parents, brothers/their wives, some friends and coworkers. I'm sure I will reach the rest of the people on my list by the end of this week. This was my first AirTran experience and my last.

But all of that isn't the kicker. At baggage claim two identical bags are on the conveyor. Mine and another just like it. I take mine and casually stroll to the other passenger to ask if he paid the oversize fee as well. His response? "Why would I do that? This bag isn't oversized." And his bag was full.

Good luck in the future AirTran and I suggest you use those fees to hire new reps or pay for a class for the ones you have!

[bah humbug]

Originally Posted by jimworcs

The manufacturer states that the bag is 60 inches. AirTran decides to invent a bizarre measuring system which makes a 60inch bag into a 62.5 inch bag.

Length + width + height with a regular tape measure....whooo real bizarre

Let's all play the random airline employee guessing game... the rule says 60 inches, but freddie says.. guess again.. we mean AirTran inches.. and that is 2.5 inches smaller. Perhaps next time it will be Jetliner inches.. these are measured by the bulge.. so you should guess again.. maybe 55 inches. This is a really good game... there are other airline guessing games that we can play...

Bags will be measured from their widest point, so if your bag is expanded and the outside pockets are stuffed, it will be measured from that point. I always think it is funny when the passengers say..."well the pockets shouldn't count"! What? are the pockets not part of your bag??? THEN DON'T USE THEM!!!!

Guess when check in will close... is it the 45 minutes it says on the website.. or freddiecm time.. say 50 minutes, or 47 bulging minutes

Check in time closing is different from city to city with the longest being 45 min prior and shortest 30 min prior. To keep it simple, most airlines say be at the airport 1 1/2 - 2 hours prior to departure then you don't have to worry about guessing.

I am liking this game more and more... I can think of loads of variations.. and think what fun it will be for power crazed airline employees and how frustrating it will be for tired and weary passengers! What fun!

Power crazed? Thats a little bit much. If we were talking about a subject that was hidden from the public, I would get it. Every rule that exist is posted on airlines websites, they are not made up as you approach the ticket counter.

[Adrienne]

Sorry but some employees have bad attitudes and don't measure correctly. You may have missed the part that said the bag's extenders were not open(used), nothing was packed in the front compartments and the bag was not full. I also use a tape measure when my bags are packed to make sure they don't go over the limit for oversized bags. I use the airline's website to find out what types of restrictions there are for bags.

The employee I dealt with was rude, measured insanely fast and would not remeasure when asked. When her fellow employee measured as I watched and told her it was fine she got even nastier. When I told her I didn't agree with her and I would wait on the side for a supervisor, she acted liked one of my spoiled nieces not able to take a car for the night.

I did get her measurement when I added the handles. But, I've resolved my issue with AirTran. I won't fly their airline again as well as my family, some friends and coworkers. Many AirTran experiences were not favorable ranging from bag issues to broken seats (I had one of those too). We're all seasoned travelers, respectful and give courtesy because we expect it.

BTW, the bag has been used 4 times so far since that flight and has yet to be an oversized bag again...even with items packed in the front compartment. That bag has flown around the world more times than most people. You can defend the airlines as much as you like. I've traveled more than enough to know when I am being ripped off.

[mevl0126]

I was traveling with an infant and brought one baggage to be checked. I weighed it as 40 pounds before leaving. It looks like a normal luggage, but they took out a tape measurer and it was 61.5 inches, which is under the limit of 62 inches. Since I have an infant, I wanted to take a little extra, but at the same time be very careful not to get charged for an overweight baggage. They charged me $39 for oversize because of the half inch difference. I called customer service and they said she put 63 inches in the computer when checking in!! I cannot believe the dishonesty of these people and the unwillingness to refund me. I just wanted to warn people because there is nothing I can do otherwise.