? about using very large diaper bag on Delta

[frannn]

I will be using DD's car seat as my carry on, so all I am allowed to take is a 45' "personal item". I went out and bought the biggest diaper bag I could find, which is about 1.5 times the size of your average full size diaper bag. I can't figure out what their 45' means. Do you think they will give me a problem with an oversized diaper bag as my personal item? It is not obvious from the outside that is a baby bag, but it does have the bottle compartments on the sides and the typical plastic sections inside. It will, of course have enough diapers, bottles, toys, clothes etc, to last for a day or so in case our luggage gets lost.
Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[GoldenOldie]

The 45" is the total of the length, width, and height of the bag. For example a bag with the approximate dimensions 22"L x 14"W x 9"H equals the 45" requirement.

Delta has a metal container called a Size Wise right near the boarding gates that your carry on must be able to fit into. All personal carryon items including diaper bags must fit into that template.

 

[frannn]

There is no measurement guideline for your "personal item". So how are you supposed to know if it's allowed?

 

[jel0511]

A car seat DOES NOT count towards your carry-on allowance, so bring on the large diaper bag, you'll be fine just make sure it will fit in the guidelines. As long as it's smaller than your usual airline carry-on. Also, there is no size guidelines for the personal item, since they are supposed to be personal and then small, ie laptop, small purse, etc.

 

[n2mm]

Also, since you paid for your child's seat, your child is also allowed his carry on and personal item. People tend to forget this. So maybe pack 2 smaller bags, one for easy access under the seat and stow the other in the overhead.

 

[ducklite]

Did you buy a ticket for your daughter? If so, then you're fine. If not, then you moight have a problem. If not, you can gate check the car seat, but you probably wo'nt be able to bring the car seat and diaper bag on if your daughter is a lap baby.

Anne

 

[jel0511]

Actually Ducklite has made a good point. Did you buy your DD a seat? I assumed you did, because you said you were bringing the car seat on the plane. If you did not purchase a seat for your DD, you will not be allowed to carry on a car seat, they will make you gate check it. A car seat, even an infant seat, is consider larger than the usual carry-on and they aren't allowed on as a carry-on item.

 

[DebbieB]

USAir has a size restriction on the personal item:

>>Carry-on baggage is limited to one piece per customer, plus a personal item such as a purse, briefcase, laptop, small backpack, diaper bag or camera case. The personal item cannot exceed total overall dimensions of 36 inches, and the other item of baggage cannot exceed the following maximum dimensions:

Valet Closet--4x23 1/2x45
Overhead Stowage--10x16x24
Underseat Stowage--8x16x21

Both items cannot exceed a total combined weight of 40 pounds. Carry-on baggage allowance may be restricted due to lack of space. <<<

I believe overall dimension is width + height + depth.

 

[ducklite]

Want to also point out that some flight attendents reserve the valet closet for first and business class pax. Unless you are holding a ticket for one of those classes, don't plan on using it.

Anne

 

[Colexi's Mom]

Per Delta's website:

Child restraint seats will be counted as part of the adult's carry-on allowance, unless a ticket has been purchased for the child/infant. Space permitting, an unoccupied passenger seat may be used for the restraint seat as a courtesy. If an empty seat is not available for the child restraint seat, it must be checked. In all cases, the restraint seat may be checked free of charge to the final destination.

 

[megnsamsgrace]

When we booked our tickets last year we didnt know if there would be room for our dd to sit in her car seat or on our lap. But we were told to take it on and it wouldn't be counted towards our carry on (we had 4 paying ppl anyway). We had an extra seat both flights anyway so it wasn't a problem... Steph

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by ducklite
Want to also point out that some flight attendents reserve the valet closet for first and business class pax. Unless you are holding a ticket for one of those classes, don't plan on using it.

Anne

I have a valet bag and was able to get it into the overhead folded in half.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by DebbieB
I have a valet bag and was able to get it into the overhead folded in half.

Depends ont he size of the bag and the size of the overhead bins. On smaller planes such as the MD80 the overheads are small. On the larger Airbuses they're big enough to host a family reunion in.

I still wouldn't count on that space for an oversized piece of luggage.

Anne

 

[NotUrsula]

If the child is not going to ride inside it during the flight, you will be directed to send it to the hold. If you have paid for the child's seat, it will not be an issue, it will absolutely be allowed as long as it has an FAA approval sticker. If you have not paid for the seat and there is no vacant seat to put the child/seat in, the FA's will call a ramp agent and have the carseat put in the hold.

I was surprised to see that Delta counts a seat against the carry-on allowance if they are letting you do the "wait and see if there is an unused seat" thing. Looks like Delta is attempting to ever-so-subtly punish people who take that option. We always bought a seat, so I didn't know that. (Of course, thanks to past experience, we've decided that Delta is our airline of absolute last resort. We will do just about anything to avoid them.)

 

[JiminyMac]

Originally posted by megnsamsgrace
When we booked our tickets last year we didnt know if there would be room for our dd to sit in her car seat or on our lap.

Most of the rules about carryons have changed in the last six months or so, so pls. be sure to check with your airline before counting on being able to take something on.

 

[marn913]

If you bought a ticket for your child, there should be no problem at all. But, I just have to add an additional thought. You should also consider the effect of a large carry-on on other passengers. I generally bring a small carry-on. Most flights to Florida are packed full from Chicago where we live. I cannot recall a recent flight where I haven't had a flight attendent request that I sit with my carry-on between my feet because other passengers bring these large "Carry-ons" which are larger than allowed and look like a suitcase. Obviously, these are the items which have to go overhead because they cannot fit under the seat. So those of us who just bring the essentials are stuck with an uncomfortable flight and no leg room.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by marn913
If you bought a ticket for your child, there should be no problem at all. But, I just have to add an additional thought. You should also consider the effect of a large carry-on on other passengers. I generally bring a small carry-on. Most flights to Florida are packed full from Chicago where we live. I cannot recall a recent flight where I haven't had a flight attendent request that I sit with my carry-on between my feet because other passengers bring these large "Carry-ons" which are larger than allowed and look like a suitcase. Obviously, these are the items which have to go overhead because they cannot fit under the seat. So those of us who just bring the essentials are stuck with an uncomfortable flight and no leg room.

If a flight attendant asks you to put your carry on underneath your seat say that you need the legroom and you would like to keep your leg room. Once your carryon is in the overhead bin don't move it. Your bag has just as much right to be in the bin. You will have more of a problem if "big bag" of an offending passenger is already in the bin and you come along with appropriate "small bag". If the overhead bins are already full you have no choice but to gate check it or put it under your seat. Tell them your carry on is within the size limitations. Be firm but not rude. If you are worried about overhead bin space, book seats further back in the plane because planes are filled back to front.