Made to put my carry on contents in a garbage bag at gate
AA4939 MAF to PHX today. Was told by the gate agent every single person on this "full" flight couldn't bring on overhead carry on wheelie bags due to there being no overhead space on this "small plane". I said my bag was full of legal documents I had to keep with me, I couldn't risk parting with them and I had a tight connection. She said I could "carry them on my lap or get rebooked." and handed me a garbage bag for my belongings. I was so upset and polite but became more distressed throughout this process while everyone at the gate watched me. I had to empty the contents of my materials into my arms and gate check an empty suitcase. She then boarded MANY people with hard carry-ons, and there is plenty of overhead room around me including directly over my seat. There are also at least 8 empty seats. I took photos.
Then the flight attendant took my bag of paperwork and put it in the OVERHEAD above me.
The gate agent was not applying her policy across the board to all passengers and I am incensed and feel singled out randomly by the gate agent and everyone around me said it was ridiculous and being handed a garbage bag??!!
**Update: I did not expect quite so many comments. I am not anti-American Airlines. I understand gate agents have a trying job to do. I'm simply saying: I had a bad experience here.
The gate agent:
- did not make an announcement
- did walk around talking to people individually
- did get loud when I tried to explain the context of the contents of my carry on and ask if we could discuss this
- did leave me little option so I felt I had to comply, of course -did make me feel humiliated with my contents in garbage bags in the middle of the boarding area prior to boarding
- did offer unrealistic options of flying with things on my lap or rebooking
- did tell me the flight was full (it wasn't)
- did tell me this applied even to first class and everyone (it didn't)
- did tell me there was no overhead available (not true, and there were seven empty compartments all around me and over my seat)
Irony: the contents were then then taken from me by the flight attendant to put in my immediate overhead, which was empty
On my behalf':
- I had a specific situation of lots of original legal documents I couldn't lose sight of, this was my primary reason, when I additionally said gate checking an empty bag would cause me some minutes delay to repack, she didnt appear to want to listen
- I wish there were fewer legal documents, I wish they were digital, this was a specific situations
- I asked if we could take a minute to discuss the contents and situation and she said check the bag or get on another flight later
- They were not loose papers, they were in packets and slippery plastic portfolio folders.
- I felt rather humiliated being given a garbage bag so publicly and my bundle being so large and awkward
Like many people, I choose flights based on dates and times and the closest airport. I do not (always) research the specific jet model as it sounds like many of you do, my time is/was compromised this time.e. I guess some of you only travel with a backpack. That's great! I wish this was the case for me. I had a smaller purse full of things like my wallet and phone and medication, I could not stuff the contents in there. Again, I'm simply saying I had a bad experience.