On-Time Means Being On Time

United is Taking its On-time Efforts Seriously. The airline has advised travelers through signs, newsletters and in-flight videos of various actions that constitute being late. If you are not in your seat with your carry-ons properly stowed 10 minutes before departure, you are late; and if you are not on board 5 minutes before departure you could get locked out. Also, be aware that in case of a "time" dispute, the airline's clock is always right. Some business travelers welcome the new policies. "Anything that can be done to get flights out on time is good," says USA Today Road Warrior Bruce Corson.

As another part of its on-time strategy, United also has one of the strictest carry-on enforcement policies. Recently, however, they relented a bit to convenience the traveler; modifying their carry-on template so that garment bags can now be placed flat on the conveyor belt rather than rolled or bunched up as they've been since the templates were introduced last November.

Other Tactics Being used by Carriers to address the on-time issue: automating gate ticket readers, enlarging overhead bins to accommodate carry-ons, limiting the number and size of carry-ons, and closing plane doors 2 minutes before scheduled departure time.

Carry-On Tips.

Find out the model type and age of the plane for your scheduled flight. New planes have up to 30 percent more usable space in the overhead bins. And some airlines, Continental and United among them, are expanding overhead bins on many of the planes in their fleets so that overhead space is actually doubled. Ask your travel manager/agent which model you are booked on: Continental had bigger bins installed on its MD80s and some of its 757-200s, 737-300s and 500s. United plans to be finished with its installation of larger bins on all 737 and 757 planes by year end.

Delta Changes Cell Phone Rules

Delta Air Lines has joined the growing list of carriers that allow cell phone usage at gates when the boarding door is open. Additionally, Delta will allow cell phone use during prolonged ground time at the pilot's discretion. Unlike several other carriers, Delta will also will allow passengers to use laptops during delays, again at the pilot's discretion. Delta Connection affiliates and codeshare partners are not included in the change, but Delta said it will work "to pursue consistent policies."