It occurred to me on a recent flight that a big part of the delay in boarding and de-boarding airplanes, or, as they are known in the business, 'the equipment', is the storing and un-storing of carry-on baggage. Because checking bags is such a hassle in terms of time, effort and money, almost everyone who can, will attempt to stuff everything that will fit, into a container of luggage, usually restricted to a size between 14" and 22", weighing less than 40 lbs, and every available crevice of a laptop case or mega-purse.
It might have been a good idea, at some point, but it is clearly not a good idea anymore. Common sense will alert you to the fact that the math is flawed. The solution is pretty simple, really, and I'm kind've surprised that no one has floated it. The formula has probably been debated in the War Rooms of all the big airline companies, but something is holding them back. I suspect it has something to do with money.
This is my idea: Just reduce the size of the overhead luggage requirement so that all passengers can stuff it in the compartment above their head, and designate that space accordingly.
Think about this in terms of the payoff: Airlines reduce their load and boarding time, thereby increasing profits (potentially reducing fares): Passengers reduce their total time-to-destination, which is really of much more value than the three extra pairs of socks and shorts they were previously stuffing into their bags. The luggage business (and retailers) get a windfall profit from the sale of new suit cases.
Just an idea. Must be something I'm missing.
