I'm of two minds about Air Canada's new carry-on fee

In one way I’m happy Air Canada will begin charging $35 for carry-on luggage - only on its Basic Economy fare - as well as nixing the ability to change seats at check-in. I didn’t even know you could do this til a couple of flights ago – it’s great to score an aisle seat! (Yesterday, flying back from London UK I has three seats to myself – whoopee.) I’d never been much of a carry-on person, usually having regular checked bags and just a small shoulder bag which I conveniently stowed under the seat. I would watch, sometimes smugly, as others boarded the plane – often delaying passengers behind them, a huge pet peeve – as they took time trying to load bags into the overhead and oblivious to everyone else. I also couldn’t believe the amount of carry-on some people brought and were permitted by the airline to bring. Some of those bags looked like they should have been checked. Anyway, it was only this fall that I bought my first wheeled carry-on so now I’ve joined the multitudes and cue up at the gate as soon as I can to make sure there'll be room in the bin above. One good thing is it forced me to pack lighter. Nevertheless, come Jan. 3 I’ll be dinged too unless I have a more upgraded fare. But $35 isn’t that much. One of the things I used to love about not having a carry-on was I could wait until all the rest of the passengers boarded before then slowly stroll up just before announcement, “all passengers should now be on board.” With no carry-on and a shoulder bag which could be stowed underneath I had no pressure to find an overhead spot. Now I don’t have that pleasure but let me tell you a roller bag is a hell of a lot easier to tote than a shoulder one. But the bulk of my flying involves transcontinental flights anyway which won’t be affected, just like being offered hot meals and free booze. (AC began serving free booze on flights in Canada and the US earlier this year, probably to complete with Porter Airlines’ new extended range flights; Porter has long offered free booze. AC never responded to my query about this). So, I’m of two minds. Just like everyone else I don’t like an extra fee. On the other if it cuts down on the amount of luggage people bring on board - and the delays to stow it – I’m happy. 

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller