Subject: CARRY-ON BAGGAGE Date:
Initiated by:
7/24/00 AFS-200 AC No:
Change:
121-29B
1. What is the purpose of this advisory circular?
a. On December 13, 1999, Administrator Jane Garvey announced FAA’s commitment to the concept of plain language, and to improving our communications with all interested parties.
While FAA intends to focus its plain language efforts mainly on new communications, we will redo in plain language a few select existing documents that are of particular importance or of interest to a broad audience. This AC is one such document. We do not intend this new issuance to make any substantive changes to the guidance set out in AC 121-29A. Rather, our intent is to clarify the guidance contained in that AC. We have omitted many of the lengthy examples found in AC 121-29A, such as the possibilities for expressing size limits on carry-on baggage. AC 121-29B is simply a plain language rewrite of AC 121-29A.
b. This circular provides information about features that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends be included in air carriers’ carry-on baggage programs. It provides clarification to air carriers about how to comply with FAA’s carry-on baggage regulations.
c. The FAA previously responded to requests from certificated air carriers, airline personnel, and the public to clarify existing policy on carry-on baggage programs. The FAA agreed that we needed to issue additional guidance because of changes in the airline passenger’s traveling habits.
Passengers are finding it more desirable to carry on their own baggage because of the introduction of wheeled luggage and because the hub/spoke concept has made connection times shorter resulting in more lost baggage. We issued that guidance in AC 121-29A on June 25, 1998.
2. Does this AC cancel any prior AC’s? This AC cancels AC 121-29A, Carry-On Baggage, dated June 25, 1998.
3. What FAA regulations does this AC relate to? Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 23, § 23.787(e); part 25, §§ 25.787, 25.789; part 121, §§ 121.285, 121.585,
121.589; and part 135, § 135.87.
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4. What should your FAA-approved carry-on baggage program address?
a. Describe what you include in the term “Carry-On Baggage.” You should NOT include approved child restraint devices that are properly used during flight in your definition of carry-on baggage. Child restraint devices are carry-on baggage if they are stowed in the cabin during flight. They also may be checked and transported in a cargo compartment.
b. Provide information about how many items you will accept as carry-on baggage for each passenger. You may stipulate the maximum dimensions of these items, if you need to do so to ensure proper stowage.
c. Ensure that your carry-on baggage program does not compromise your FAA-approved weight and balance program.
d. Explain how you intend to stow carry-on baggage properly. This part of the program depends on the type of aircraft covered by the program, including cabin configuration and other space factors. Your stowage program should ensure that:
(1) Carry-on baggage does not obstruct passenger movement to, from, or across the aisle;
(2) Items stowed in overhead bins fit securely, and flight attendants can close the bins without using force; and
(3) There is little or no chance of baggage and other articles falling out of overhead bins when the bin doors are opened.
e. Describe your procedures to verify that each article of baggage is properly stowed in an approved compartment or other specifically approved area before flight attendants close the passenger entry doors on each flight. The FAA recommends that you task a specific crewmember, such as the lead flight attendant, with verifying proper stowage. Your description should include:
(1) Methods to ensure carry-on baggage and cargo do not exceed the FAA-approved weight limitations or load limits for the specific place they are stowed, including the restraints used to secure them. Emphasize that flight attendants should not place items in overhead bins that exceed bin weight limits and that they should be able to close the bins without using force.
They should also make sure that passengers do no overload the bins.
(2) A list of specific items passengers can carry in the cabin and stow outside of specified carry-on baggage compartments. This should be a short list! Specify locations where flight attendants can stow these items, and how they should restrain them to ensure that they will not shift under emergency load conditions. Specify an approved weight limitation for each restraint or “tie-down” area to ensure that articles do not shift under the specified load conditions.
(3) Procedures for stowing unusual or fragile articles. Passengers may want to carry large or fragile objects that need special stowage. Flight attendants should understand that it is
Par 4 Page 3 the passenger’s responsibility to ensure that these objects are securely packed to withstand normal handling. If you cannot check or stow an item in a manner that ensures the safety of the aircraft and its occupants, or if the passenger believes that the item cannot be packed to withstand normal handling, then the passenger will have to ship the item by some other means.
f. Describe how you will ensure that carry-on baggage does not interfere with access to and use of emergency equipment. The FAA recommends that a required crewmember position have the responsibility for ensuring that carry-on baggage does not restrict access to emergency equipment.
g. Explain how you will stow canes or other assist devices. You must stow these items in approved areas, such as under a seat, in approved cargo bins or fitted holders, or, if appropriate, along the fuselage wall.
h. Describe how you will prevent passengers from bringing on board baggage that, for any reason, you cannot stow properly. Specify which personnel are responsible for this part of the program. Your description should include the following elements:
(1) The area of operation, including terminal and scanning point facilities, where employees will determine whether baggage should or should not be allowed on the aircraft.
(2) Scanning facilities and locations, including operations at facilities other than those owned, or ordinarily used, by you.
(3) The duties of personnel responsible for the scanning. Make sure these duties are manageable.
(4) How you will prevent passengers from bringing on board baggage that will exceed:
(a) The FAA-approved weight limits of your stowage areas, cargo bins, and “tiedown” areas;
(b) The number or size of items specified in your carry-on baggage program; or
(c) The total space of the approved stowage areas available on an aircraft.
i. Establish procedures for informing travelers and travel agents about the specific carry-on requirements of your flights. You may accommodate travelers with special baggage problems, provided you can stow the baggage safely. Provide information to passengers about your procedures for accommodating special baggage prior to the flight, and about the types of materials that they should not carry in their carry-on baggage, such as hazardous materials.
j. Include information about your carry-on baggage program in the appropriate parts of the crewmembers’ manual. You should cover all of the elements listed above, especially crewmember responsibility for verifying that baggage is stowed properly and will not hinder the
Par 4Page 4 availability and use of emergency equipment; and other pertinent information that the principal operations inspector determines should be in the crewmembers’ manual.
k. Provide training to appropriate ground personnel and to all crewmembers regarding your approved carry-on baggage program. The training should include at least carry-on baggage limitations; baggage scanning; processing of carry-on baggage that you cannot accommodate in any of the passenger compartments; proper stowing of carry-on baggage, cargo and unusual items in the cabin; crew coordination; applicable passenger information; types of and limitations on stowage provisions; verification that carry-on baggage is stowed so it does not interfere with emergency equipment; and how to handle carry-on baggage during an emergency.
/s/ L. Nicholas Lacey Director, Flight Standards Service