wowee wow wow wow

[us AAirways]

http://www.airliners.net/photo/2227918/L/

Look at the size of those carry-on bags! How did we ever manage?? Must have been nice traveling back then.

 

[Jim Logajan]

How did we ever manage without wheels on suitcases!

1987: A Northwest Airlines pilot invents the original Rollaboard wheeled bag, making it possible to avoid checking luggage entirely. Later that year, the FAA steps in with carry-on guidelines. [1]

Probably didn't charge for bags.

1938: The first baggage rules are put in place: with limited space on planes, the Civil Aeronautics Board restricts coach passengers to 40 pounds for domestic flights and 44 for international.
1977: As planes expand, so do luggage allowances. Airlines now typically permit passengers to check two bags weighing up to 70 pounds each, free of charge.
1981: Budget carrier Peoplexpress (now defunct) charges passengers 50 cents for soda and $3 for all checked bags—the first domestic line to charge for luggage regardless of weight. [1]
[1] http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/history-of-airline-baggage