I`m writing this in order to help any and all avoid what we had to endure and to be extremely smart about airline carryon policies.
One month ago, we flew from LA to Amsterdam via KLM and yesterday, October 21, 2014, returned from Paris to LA on their partner, Air France [AF].
I received an email ahead of time from AF regarding on line check in only to be informed I needed a visa or green card and could not check in except at the airport [CDG]. Obviously, they did not recognize we were US citizens and our flight was a return flight, not an initial one.
We arrived 3 hours ahead of departure time, went to obtain boarding passes and check in our one bag each only to find it was all done electronically. There were long lines in front of each machine with much confusion and unfamiliarity with the how to navigate the process. One in front of us took at least 10 minutes to complete the transactions.
After 25 minutes, we entered another long line to drop off our check in bags which took another 15-20 minutes. At no point were our carryon bags weighed as they were with KLM although KLM did not combine all bags, purses, etc. We were within the allowed weight.
We then walked about 10 minutes to enter the longest line yet which was for passport control and after few minutes were “randomly” selected to go to another line for carryon weight and size control. While standing in this line, we overheard considerable anger and shouting from passengers as well as even the enforcers amongst themselves.
We observed bags being shoved into a steel frame for sizing. In many instances, the bag was a tight fit and was forced down and into the frame to the detriment of the bag. Bags were scarred, scratched and/ or zipper pulls were ripped off either when placed into or removed or both.
Additionally, they added purses and shoulder bags to the total weight calculation which easily put most over the limit of 12 kg/ 26 pounds. The handlers then yelled and badgered each person for being over weight, slapped a very large red AF tag on the bag, marked up the boarding pass and demanded all, including us, to go back to a baggage area near where we had started.
We saw some people taking their most important items out of their bag and leaving the bag and the remaining contents and walking off to re-enter the passport control. Whether this was due to a time issue, not wanting to pay the fee or just frustration, we do not know. In one case, a person claimed he had already paid an excess baggage weight fee, but to no avail and he became so enraged, he started to push though and was confronted with additional threats of force and police interaction. This scene was horrible.
Even though we each returned with the same weight distribution for our checkin and our carryon bags with KLM, it was not acceptable for AF. It also was not even a size issue, but merely a combined weight matter.
We returned to the baggage area and discovered the fee for each bag was 70 Euros, about $100. When we explained this could have been avoided if our carryons were weighed at the same time as our check ins and if there was an issue, we could have redistributed in such a way as to avoid any of this easily. For us it would only have entailed taking out our heavy lined raincoats which weighed much more than the excess of a few kgs and replacing carryon on items sans my laptop.
Fortunately, if one can use this term at this point, the lady at the counter finally relented and informed us we may be able to shift some items and only have to check in one bag which is what happened.
Nonetheless, it was an extremely stressful situation that could have been avoided. The personal attack and angry confrontation by the baggage control personnel was way too aggressive and not necessary. The fee for a small check in size bag was way excessive. I have to think some people probably did not even make their flight.
For us, after going through the lengthy passport line and then to take a tram over to the security for our flight and go through that process, we arrived at our gate as the plane was being boarded. While doing so, we observed many passengers with 3 carryon bags, oversized bags and obvious weight violations unless they were carrying cotton balls.
We learned many lessons not the least of which is we will not fly AF again. We will be pro actively involved in assuring we are within any weight and size requirements and when booking reservations we will ensure we can do so online.
I am forever grateful I am not a baggage control person for AF and for never having to be confronted by one again.
Take heed.