FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 2, 1998

Alexandria, Dec. 2 -The president of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives today expressed concern over new size restrictions for carry-on luggage recently imposed by United and Delta Airlines in certain test markets. ACTE President Earl Foster believes these new size restrictions constitute a possible punitive measure against business travelers, and lurk as a surprise at the airport.

"There are actually two potential surprises for business travelers," said Foster. "The first is discovering that the garment bag-a virtual badge of the business traveler-may no longer qualify as carry-on luggage. The second is having to go back to the ticket counter or out to curb to check in these bags."

Foster contends that the new size restrictions are too stringent, with check points poorly positioned at the airport. He also feels that the new size restriction policy is not being communicated well enough by United or Delta. Templates for the new allowable size (9" deep, 14" wide, and 22" high) are located at the luggage x-ray machines. Baggage that is too large for these portals must then be brought to a ticket counter for check in. There is no longer an option to gate-check items. The average sized garment bag, especially if it is carrying two suits or has wheels attached, is not likely to fit through the template.

"Speed and convenience are the most basic elements of business travel," said Foster. "Experience-largely bad experience-has taught business travelers to keep essential items close at hand. This includes clothes, briefcases, and computers. These new size restrictions run contrary to that conditioning when garment bags are excluded." Foster added that larger-sized briefcases and computer bags (carrying both processors and printers) are also at risk.

Foster spent some time studying the application of the sizing apparatus on a recent trip. He watched leisure travelers approach the security belt with shopping bags that did not fit the templates. These passengers simply emptied the bags on the conveyor and refilled them once passing through to the other side.

"Current regulations restrict passengers to no more than two pieces of carry- on luggage," said Foster. "No attempt was made to count the number of carry- on items brought through security by passengers. Failure to enforce this control certainly defeats the purpose of the sizing restrictions. While the new sizing restrictions protect the airlines from overstuffed bags, the depth dimension is not enforced. Technically, the sizer templates could pass items like fully loaded golf bags."

Foster expressed his concerns to representatives of both United and Delta Airlines, and urged that modifications be made to this program.

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives was founded in 1988 as the primary educational resource for the business travel management profession. Based in Alexandria, Va., ACTE is the only business travel trade association with an international constituency spanning Canada, Europe, and Asia. ACTE represents more than $50 billion dollars in annual business travel expenditures.

For more information, contact: Jack Riepe/ACTE Communications Officer 518-946-1200