In an unforeseen twist, strange se...

In an unforeseen twist, strange security rules for carry-on bags are enabling airline passengers to realize on and off planes faster, helping flights leave onward time.

The reason: les on-board congestion from fewer carry-ons stowed in overhead bins or in subordination to seats.

"We're boarding airplanes four minutes faster," says AirTran Airways spokesman Tad Hutcheson.

US Airways is boarding planes five to 10 minutes faster, depending in succession the size of the plane and in what manner crowded it is, says Senior Vice President Anthony hinny

No. 3 Delta Air Lines reports improved on-time performance after the domination At American Airlines, the world's largest, spokesman Tim Smith said the dominions have contributed to a "smoother and many times quicker boarding process," but too many factors are involved to link them with better on-time performance.

Following terror-related arrests in London, the Transportation Security Administration upon Aug. 10 banned liquids, creams and gel from the plane's cabin. Airlines say they're handling up to 25 percent more checked bags now as travelers adjust to the sways

Numbers from airline performance tracker FlightStats.com present to view improvement in on-time performance following the mastership change, though many factors could be at work. During the Aug. 11-27 period at the USA's largest 28 airports, 19 percent of flights departed late, says FlightStats.com. That's down from 215 percent of flights departing late during the Aug. 1-9 period. Also, 22 of the 28 largest U airports saw their on-time departure rates improve Aug. 11-27 v Aug. 1-9

"The novel carry-on restrictions are the greatest transportation advance since the wheel," says Barry Maher, a professional speaker and frequent-flier. He says security checkpoint lines at his domestic circle airport in Ontario, Calif., now take half as lengthy because security agents are scanning fewer carry-ons.

on the contrary if more flights are operating onward time, that isn't necessarily loyal for luggage operations. Many passengers report longer waits or other puzzles with checked bags.

Since the recent rules, Austin-based business traveler Steven Dobie has flown twice -- formerly on American, once on Delta -- and checked his bag.

the pair times, it wasn't there when he arrived.

"Before all this happened, I carried forward 99 percent of the time," he says.

Airlines say they're struggling to deal with the enormous surge in bags, and are spending a fortune to retain up. Airline ticket agents, baggage haul drivers and bag handlers are racking up overtime. Carriers won't say exactly to what degree much they're spending, but "it's expensive," says AirTran's Hutcheson.

At Delta Air Lines, the increased bag compass is straining aging luggage arrangements at its main Atlanta nave and at New York John F Kennedy Airport. If the of recent origin rules stay in place, Delta COO Jim Whitehurst says that airline presently will hire more baggage workers.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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