There's Room For Everyone

In the SmartTravel article, Airlines to Shrink Carry-on Size?, travelers are advised to wait to buy new carry-ons due to the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) proposal to reduce the allowable carryon bag size.

It makes one wonder what is the impetus behind this proposal?
Is the change really an attempt to provide better service by allowing more people to fit their carryon items in the overheads?

After all, the proposed size change is not dramatic. Yet, it can be costly to consumers who will have to replace carryon luggage to accommodate this slight reduction in size. Administering this standard gives the impression that all overhead bins are created equal, yet that is not true.  These bins change with the dimensions of the planes.  So, it is unclear how the reduction from 22 x 14 x 9 inches to 21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches really make it possible for everyone to stow their carry-ons. Since each bin, on average, will hold three four suitcases side by side the potential space gain is between 3" and 4.5". That is certainly not enough room for another carryon.

Maybe the real issue is lack of adherence to the existing guidelines.  Airline staff (gate agents and flight attendants) are not always diligent in enforcement of the carryon limits. I am sure many of you have been on flights where passengers carryon more than their fair allotment.

If these guidelines are not executed today, how will a change in bag size truly fix the problem?

Or perhaps this change is motivated by profits. Per their own website, the IATA is a trade association with about 250 member airlines. One IATAs many priorities is member satisfaction. What better way to improve member satisfaction than to increase revenue stream through more checked bag fees. Of course, this ultimately relies on airline adoption and enforcement of the guidelines.