Some airlines are allowing only one carry-on bag this hoilday season

From Correspondent Joan MacFarlane

DETROIT (CNN) -- You may be asked to lighten your load this travel season as airlines look for ways to minimize carry-on baggage and improve boarding efficiency.

Northwest Airlines is limiting passengers on nearly all its flights to one carry-on bag and a purse or briefcase.

"A lot of times when people are boarding the plane and they have a lot of bags to store, it can take a long time, and even delay a flight," said Jim Faulkner of Northwest.

Many passengers are in favor of the carry-on limits, but families with kids say one carry-on could be a stretch

Some airline studies have estimated that more than 4,000 people are injured every year because of displaced or dropped bags.

United is testing a one-bag carry-on rule in Des Moines, Iowa, and Southwest is limiting carry-on items to two per passenger on crowded flights.

Delta has a "size wise" area outside its gates and ticket counters -- a display where passengers can check whether their carry-on meets the airline's size restrictions.

Carry-on luggage can pose a real safety risk. Some airline studies have estimated that more than 4,000 people are injured every year because of displaced or dropped bags.

FAA guidelines set in 1988 limited passengers to two carry-on bags. And while most airlines stay within the guidelines -- flight attendants say it's the size, not the number of items, that causes boarding delays.

FAA guidelines set in 1988 limited passengers to two carry-on bags. And while most airlines stay within the guidelines -- flight attendants say it's the size, not the number of items, that causes boarding delays.

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"Someone tried to get a giant cello on one time, and we ended up having them go back and buy a seat for the cello because it just wasn't going to fit in the overhead bin," said Faulkner.

Most passengers CNN talked with were in favor of the carry-on limits, but families with kids say one carry-on could be a stretch.

"Me as a mother -- I have children. I have a bottle bag, a diaper bag, a purse," said one traveler. "I mean what am I supposed to do with those items?"

Northwest says there may be occasional exceptions -- but during heavy travel days the one-bag rule will apply.

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Related story:

• Delta to tighten up on carry-on luggage - February 17, 1997

Related sites:

• Delta
• United
• Northwest
• Southwest

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