So apparently there is a new fancy suitcase out to try and trip up our rules and regs on rollaboards on regional jets.
This suitcase is designed to carry as one suicase through the airport, but when you get on board-voila! One snap of the finger and it disassembles into a smaller suitcase and two other compartments. What many flight attendants don't explain (and some don't even know the rules themselves) is that it even if you disassemble it the larger part must be no larger than 36 LINEAR inches. Yes, linear inches. It doesn't matter if it "fits." Or if it "fit" on the last flight. Or the gate agent said you could "try and see if it fits." If you tell us that we are MORE likely to not let you onboard with whatever precious contents you have inside. We have a very keen eye at the aircraft door and we can pretty much call 36 inches. (Not to mention you can only have one carry-on item and one personal item. Hello, above? There are three.)
This is not because we are mean and we want you to have to check your suitcase. This rule is created by the FAA (not our company) and on regional jets of our size it is an FAA regulation to check anything larger than 36 linear inches. I do not care if you have important documents or a $2,000 camera. I do not care if you have rare 25 pound rocks from Japan (true story) or your sister's wig for her wedding (another true story). If the FAA were to walk on board and find a suitcase that large-no matter its contents-then MY Flight Attendant license is on the line. YOU will win the battle, have gotten what you wanted on board, and I would be out of a job....that's not very nice-is it?
So next time you board a smaller regional jet at your local airport, look your flight attendant in the eye...and valet check your suitcase with a smile.
