LUGGAGE SQUEEZE: MOST AIRLINES HAVE STARTED TO ENFORCE CARRY-ON LUGGAGE POLICIES

Airline passengers are being issued additional suggestions the remainder of this year -- "consult with your airline on its carry-on luggage policy."

Passengers approaching loading gates with arms loaded down with wrapping paper, overflowing shopping bags, winter coats, a large purse, and a carry-on bag may be asked to step aside and surrender some of the bags to be tagged and sent to the cargo hold.

More airline passengers mean more carry-on bags and with near capacity passenger loads through the holiday season, under-seat and over-head storage compartments space in airliners is becoming crowded.

The shortage of space can lead to frustration of passengers and can delay plane departures as luggage is taken out of the cabin, tagged and hand-carried to the tarmac for loading into the cargo compartments.

Most airlines have started enforcing carry-on policies which have been intact a number of years, limiting cabin luggage to a carry-on and one bag.

This can be a source of frustration to passengers as different airlines have different policies.

"The airlines are not consistent with their policies," said Peggy McLain, of Designing Travel Inc., a travel agency in Cape Girardeau. "Some airlines may limit their carry-on to one bag and one briefcase, another may allow two bags and a large purse."

The nation's eight largest airlines currently have five different sets of measurements to determine what goes into storage bins and what goes to the cargo hold.

"This confuses passengers, unless they fly only one airline," said McLain.

For ages, most airlines have allowed passengers three bags -- one checked to the cargo hold, and two carry-ons. The confusion is that sizes of the carry-ons range from 9" x 13" x 23" to 10" x 16" x 24," with weights ranging from 40 to 50 pounds. "Airline traffic has been good during the past couple of years," said Mark Hill, of Destinations Unlimited-Carlson Wagonlit Travel, travel planning specialists here. "Some customers have been taking advantage of the policy, taking on big overcoats, large suitcases (with wheels) and a carry-on bag, along with portable computers and other things."

What has happened, said Hill, is that with most carriers now flying with full loads, the cabin space has become crowded.

"People have started abusing the privilege," said Jane Harte, of AAA Travel Agency here. "The carry-on luggage has been getting bigger, and the space has been reduced."

One of the biggest problems, agree most travel agents, is the "wheeled" bags.

"A lot of people are using the wheel bags, taking them on board," said Harte. "Some airlines, however, will not allow the wheeled bags in the cabin."

Travel agents also agree that people don't like to check their baggage, especially business and corporate fliers.

"Many business people are on a tight schedule, and don't have time to go to the baggage pickup at the end of the flight," said Harte.

Most airlines who have been allowing more carry-on baggage, have always given their agents the discretion to restrict passengers to a single bag if a flight is full and storage space is certain to be scarce.

A few airlines have placed boxes that correspond to their size limits at airport gates, to agents and passengers can see whether a particular bag is too big.

Among some examples of "too big" packages have been cases of wine and duty-free liquor, large picture frames and artwork. One person tried to bring a bicycle on board -- this didn't work. Eventually, all airlines may have to conform to certain sizes and carry-on policies.

Carry-on luggage rules.

Airlines listed here limit passengers to two pieces of carry-on luggage. All carry-on baggage must fit under the seat or in the overhead compartment, unless noted otherwise.

TWA: Briefcases and garments bags area considered carry-on luggage.

Size limit: 16" x 10" x 21"

USAir: Briefcase or garment bag considered one of the allowed pieces. Handbags are not included in the two-bag carry-on limit.

Size limit: Valets, 4 x 23 1/2 x 45; overhead storage, 10 x 16 x 24; under-seat, 8 x 16 x 21. Weight limit, 40 pounds.

Southwest: Any heavy items must be placed under the passenger's seat. Items with inflexible surfaces must be placed underneath the passenger's seat, or flat on the floor of an overhead bin.

Size limit: 16 x 10 x 24. Sizing boxes are located at each departure gate and ticket counter.

United: Each passenger may carry on, without charge, the following articles: Handbag/purse, overcoat/wrap, umbrella/walking stick; camera/binoculars, reasonable amount of reading material and infant's food for consumption en route.

Size limit: 9 x 14 x 22. Weight limit, 50 pounds.

American: A briefcase or garment bag is considered one of the allowed pieces.

Size limit: 9 x 13, x 13.

Northwest: One carry-on bag, one purse or laptop.