One Of The Airline Industry’s Greatest Mysteries

By: Ben Schlappig

Published: November 6, 2014

47 comments

I just wrapped up a sub-48 hour trip to Germany, during which I got very little sleep. While dragging myself out of bed and to the airport this morning at an ungodly hour I walked through my hotel’s lobby and for a second thought I was in the airport’s lost luggage department. There were about two dozen massive suitcases, and then two dozen rollaboard suitcases, all neatly lined up.

I looked up and saw a crew from a major Asian airline. An airline where crews just have a 1-2 night layover and then turn right around. And it got me wondering, what the hell does each crew member do with two suitcases for such a short trip?!

Thai-A380

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the system that non-US airlines have. At US airlines, flight attendants carry on all their bags, and many times they have a handful of bags each which look more like an RV than a carry-on. And that’s frustrating, since in many cases they’re competing with passengers for limited overhead bin space.

I prefer the non-US system where crews have only a single carry-on and are checking their bags. So, it’s not harming me in any way… but I just don’t get it!

Yes, when Singapore Airlines’ crews work a Singapore to New York trip it lasts about eight days, as they have layovers in Frankfurt, New York, and then again in Frankfurt. I get checking a bag there.

But if you’re just doing a two day trip, what do you really fill both a carry-on and a huge suitcase with? Surely they’ve gotta be running import/export businesses, or something…

I mean, I literally live out of a 20″ carry-on. Admittedly my wardrobe is about as diversified as a cartoon character’s, but still…

Anyone have any insight, or find it equally odd?

Yup, these are the questions that keep me up at night… 😉

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g_richey Guest

August 21, 2016, 6:11 pm

" " I disagree, read http://www.nj.com/weather/index.ssf/2016/01/latest_forecast_has_blizzard_dropping_2_feet_on_much_of_nj.html Best regards, Genevieve

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Ivan Y Diamond

November 11, 2014, 4:29 pm

I agree with what other commenters have said. A lot of things, especially clothes, is a lot cheaper in the US than other countries (even Asia or Eastern Europe). Add on top of that various sales, promos, gift-with-purchases, etc. and shopping in the US for yourself or family & friends overseas is a no-brainer. From accounts of people who had worked at various stores in the Houston Galleria mall, I know that a lot of foreigner visitors shop there; even if you have to buy additional luggage, it's worth it. A little advice to those who travel to Houston -- Dillard's is a great place to shop and there's one across from the main Galleria building (covered parking as well). If you come to Houston regularly, you should be able to time it and make it to one of the regular 30-40% off all clearance items sales.

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SEM Member

November 9, 2014, 10:50 am

I believe what one commenter said is correct...For foreign crews like the one you are speaking of, it is part of a "set" that the company has them travel with...As for the domestic crews that are carrying on their luggage and taking up space onboard, lets look at it logically, not selfishly: most of us on here do not want to check our bag regardless of what our travel itin looks like, so logically, neither does a crew working 2-4 flights to get to their destination and have a 10-16 hr rest, no...???And quite frankly, the bigger problem here is not the crews, its the airlines and TSA allowing passengers on with more bags then is allowed, larger bags then is allowed, and many people not wanting to use the space under the seat in front of them...

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nathan Guest

November 8, 2014, 7:42 pm

same with the BA crews @ JFK, they each check in a 28/29 inch hard case on wheels, yet they only have one nigh layover in NYC before they head back the next night to JFK. Fm what i gather, BA crews looooove shopping in NYC.

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JGM Guest

November 8, 2014, 6:25 am

Korean flight attendants fill their suitcases with ramen, as they're unable to eat foreign food. Kimchi, if it's allowed by customs. I kid you not. During winter months, they carry heavy coats and warm cloths. Their uniform may also be a heavy coat on top of that. Some carry a spare uniform in there. Also, laptops, and other electronics are thrown in there, as are shoes. A lot of the time, the suitcase is half-full. My knowhow comes from dating a Korean flight attendant, and hanging out with many others during my time in Seoul as well as Abu Dhabi.

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