Menendez assails proposed changes to carry-on bag sizes

NEWARK (AP) — New Jersey's senior senator is criticizing new rules proposed to reduce the size of airline travelers' carry-on bags.

Sen. Bob Menendez is heading to Newark Liberty Airport on Monday to demonstrate how reducing the size of carry-on bags could increase costs for travelers.

The International Air Transport Association has proposed requiring the bags to be a maximum uniform size — 21.5 inches high, 13.5 inches wide and 7.5 inches deep. Menendez and others say that's about 20 percent smaller than what's currently allowed on most airlines.

Menendez says the new rule would force many travelers to pay for checked baggage. He says statistics from the federal Department of Transportation show the 27 U.S.-based airlines made $3.5 billion in baggage fees last year.

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