PHOENIX -- After a long day of traveling, Patricia Crowell sits in a Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport terminal.
The Marana resident just missed her shuttle because her plane was delayed.
"It was terrible today," said Crowell. "Some people just aren't very courteous."
Crowell wasn't angry with her airline, she was upset with the passengers on her flight who caused the delay because they spent so much time trying to fit their carry-on luggage into the overhead bins inside the plane.
"Some of those bags are so huge that they can't get them in or slide them in straight, then they put them in sideways and that takes up the space of two bags, so it's all very inconvenient," said Crowell.
Turns out, Crowell isn't alone in her frustrations.
It's become routine for flight attendants to make repeated announcements during boarding reminding passengers there is limited space on the plane.
"But it's just that people don't listen, or think they can still force a bag up there," said Jeanine Maiella after arriving at Phoenix Sky Harbor.
Take a look near the security checkpoint at any airport and it won't be hard to spot someone carrying three bags on the way to their flight.
"Yes, I do think people are trying to carry too many bags on," said Don Washco while standing outside the terminal.
It's become common to see people pushing the limits of the "two limit" carry-on rule.
"I think they're doing it to avoid the fees," said Crowell.
"If their bag is too big, the stewardess will say we'll check it for you, that way they don't have to pay, but they still try to shove it overhead," said Maiella.
Airlines are cracking down on the so-called 'gate-checking' of larger carry-on bags that won't fit in the over-head bins or under the seat.
Many flight attendants appear to be fed up with the ongoing battle against the number of carry-ons, the available space, and the size of luggage brought on-board by passengers.
At least one flight attendants union is backing proposed legislation that would create uniform standards involving carry-on luggage.
Federal involvement, if passed, could also include Transportation Security Administration officials counting the number of bags each passenger carries through security along with measuring the bags.
Some airlines have entertained the idea of having employees positioned near the security checkpoint to do the same on busy travel days.
"I'm not surprised the flight attendants are getting a little upset with all of this because I think a lot of it lands on them," said Maiella. "I'm actually not against the checked baggage fees, however, I think the airlines should charge the rate for round trip, not each way and that's why people try to carry so much on."
Passengers also expressed their frustration of trying to board early or at least attempting to be near the front of the line to board due to so many carry-ons.
"If you're getting on later there's no room if you want to put something overhead, even if its a coat up there," said Maiella.
"If you're the last one on, you're probably not going to have any room for your bags, even if they're small," said Washco.
