This is becoming a real big fat ugly issue, especially for people like me, who
a) don't have spouses to share luggage with
and b) try to combine traveling with diving and uw photography
I just returned from a trip to North Carolina, and on the way there the plane was so crowded that they didn't let me carry on my camera and uw photo gear. Before I realized what was going on, a guy had sent it down the chute to the checked baggage. When I protested, all I got was a sheepish look and a comment, "We have to go." This was with US Airways, by the way. Needless to say, I won't fly with those guys anymore. For future trips, I will seriously consider shipping my gear ahead of time. With the new baggage fees, mailing a pelican case for $50 bucks is money better spent in my opinion.