Airtran: Can I do this??

[dunbarfamily]

We fly out on Saturday!

Airtran says one carry-on and one personal bag. Can the three ticketed children each bring a school backpack and a carryon rolling suitcase? I checked dimensions and the carryons are within limits. Airtran.com doesn't specifically spell out "backpacks" as a personal item, but they do list examples like a laptop bag, purse, etc.

Ok, or not ok to have backpack as "personal item"? That's the question!

Thanks!

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

We fly out on Saturday!

Airtran says one carry-on and one personal bag. Can the three ticketed children each bring a school backpack and a carryon rolling suitcase? I checked dimensions and the carryons are within limits. Airtran.com doesn't specifically spell out "backpacks" as a personal item, but they do list examples like a laptop bag, purse, etc.

Ok, or not ok to have backpack as "personal item"? That's the question!

Thanks!

As long as it can be stowed under the seat in front of you, it's highly unlikely that you'll have an issue.

 

[Traveliz]

As long as it can be stowed under the seat in front of you, it's highly unlikely that you'll have an issue.

We fly Airtran a lot and my husband always has a backpack as his personal item and it has never been a problem.

Liz

 

[n2mm]

I've always taken a small backpack (Jansport) with me on my trips. It fits fully under the seat in front of me. Never a problem. Just remember not to overstuff them, or they may not fit under the seat in front of each of the kids. That is a requirement and it can not obstruct the area for your feet.

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

We did the same thing with my son the last time we flew. We traveled only carry-ons so we had 3 suitcases, one tote bag, one backpack, and one diaper/keep them happy bag. Just keep in mind that if the overhead bins fill up you'll have to put it under the seat.

 

[dudspizza]

We did the same thing with my son the last time we flew. We traveled only carry-ons so we had 3 suitcases, one tote bag, one backpack, and one diaper/keep them happy bag. Just keep in mind that if the overhead bins fill up you'll have to put it under the seat.

Each passenger is entitled to 1 piece in the overhead bin, the other piece (backpack) will have to go under the seat in front of you. If there is still room at take off, by all means put the other bag up there, but not until then to make sure that no one has to gate check their carry on....

DW will not go without a checked bag, so we typically check 2 bags (paying the fees) and then will do a carry on or two if we need more bags.... our girls and I always have a backpack that goes under the seat. DW will put her carry on in the overhead bin.

Duds

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

We keep our personal items, totes or packs, with us on the floor in front of our seat because we used what was in them throughout the flight. But the Airtran website for carry on doesn't specifically say that you are limited to one item in the overhead.

Carry On:

For carry-on baggage, all customers traveling on AirTran Airways will be restricted to one carry-on item and one personal item. The carry-on bag must be stowed under the seat in front of the passenger or in an approved overhead bin.

All carry-on items must fit under the seat or in the overhead bin. Any heavy item must be placed underneath the customer's seat. Any item with inflexible surfaces must be placed underneath the customer's seat or flat on the floor of an overhead bin.

On aircraft operated by SkyWest Airlines, most roll aboard bags are too large for overhead storage. Carry-on baggage too large for overhead storage will be valet checked to the next destination and returned to the passenger at the gate.

 

[RainbowsMist]

Do laptops and camera bags count as personal items or carry on bags? This will be our first time flying with Air Tran.

 

[dunbarfamily]

Do laptops and camera bags count as personal items or carry on bags? This will be our first time flying with Air Tran.

From Airtran's website:

Carry On
For carry-on baggage, all customers traveling on AirTran Airways will be restricted to one carry-on item and one personal item. The carry-on bag must be stowed under the seat in front of the passenger or in an approved overhead bin. Garment bags and small musical instruments are considered one of the allotted pieces.

Personal items include handbags, umbrellas, walking sticks, coats, cameras, reading matter, infant food, briefcases, and laptop computers.

The suitability of carry-on baggage will be determined by AirTran AirTran Airways. Size limitations may vary on flights operated by our partner, SkyWest Airlines.

 

[dunbarfamily]

Oops, sorry ShootingStar. I didn't realize you posted the same thing until after I posted.

Great minds think alike!

 

[RainbowsMist]

From Airtran's website:

Carry On
For carry-on baggage, all customers traveling on AirTran Airways will be restricted to one carry-on item and one personal item. The carry-on bag must be stowed under the seat in front of the passenger or in an approved overhead bin. Garment bags and small musical instruments are considered one of the allotted pieces.

Personal items include handbags, umbrellas, walking sticks, coats, cameras, reading matter, infant food, briefcases, and laptop computers.

The suitability of carry-on baggage will be determined by AirTran AirTran Airways. Size limitations may vary on flights operated by our partner, SkyWest Airlines.

Next time I'll try looking myself before asking
Your leg work was much appreciated - thanks so much

 

[dunbarfamily]

Next time I'll try looking myself before asking
Your leg work was much appreciated - thanks so much

No worries! That's what the boards are here for!!

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

Oops, sorry ShootingStar. I didn't realize you posted the same thing until after I posted.

Great minds think alike!

Ha, it's ok! I know the Airtran website well after measuring and remeasuring our bags to be sure we'd pass the gate.

 

[prncess674]

We fly out on Saturday!

Airtran says one carry-on and one personal bag. Can the three ticketed children each bring a school backpack and a carryon rolling suitcase? I checked dimensions and the carryons are within limits. Airtran.com doesn't specifically spell out "backpacks" as a personal item, but they do list examples like a laptop bag, purse, etc.

Ok, or not ok to have backpack as "personal item"? That's the question!

Thanks!

Based on your signature you are two adults, 3 ticketed kids (under age 10) and 2 lap children. Are your 3 older children old enough to SAFELY handle a rolling suitcase AND a backpack while the adults handle 2 small lap children, 2 strollers, 2 backpacks/diaper bags and two rolling carryons? Remember to have a plan for clearing security. Each ticketed passenger will only be allowed to have one quart size ziploc baggie with liquids in containers no larger than 100mL/3.4 oz. Will you be able to quickly and efficiently get your crew and 10 carryons (5 backpacks and 5 rolling suitcases) easily thru security. Remember all the ticketed kiddos will need to remove shoes and walk thru the detectors unassisted. Based on your luggage haul you may still be loading luggage onto the belt while some of your brood clears security. Do you REALLY want to put up with that much hassle to save a few bucks. Why not one or two large suitcase verses having a child 5 years old (or younger) responsible for two pieces of luggage transiting an airport while you and your hubby are each lugging a lap child, stroller, backpack and rolling piece of luggage yourself.

 

[plutolovr]

Based on your signature you are two adults, 3 ticketed kids (under age 10) and 2 lap children. Are your 3 older children old enough to SAFELY handle a rolling suitcase AND a backpack while the adults handle 2 small lap children, 2 strollers, 2 backpacks/diaper bags and two rolling carryons? Remember to have a plan for clearing security. Each ticketed passenger will only be allowed to have one quart size ziploc baggie with liquids in containers no larger than 100mL/3.4 oz. Will you be able to quickly and efficiently get your crew and 10 carryons (5 backpacks and 5 rolling suitcases) easily thru security. Remember all the ticketed kiddos will need to remove shoes and walk thru the detectors unassisted. Based on your luggage haul you may still be loading luggage onto the belt while some of your brood clears security. Do you REALLY want to put up with that much hassle to save a few bucks. Why not one or two large suitcase verses having a child 5 years old (or younger) responsible for two pieces of luggage transiting an airport while you and your hubby are each lugging a lap child, stroller, backpack and rolling piece of luggage yourself.

The OP only has one lap child. You need go back and re-read her signature.

 

[prncess674]

The OP only has one lap child. You need go back and re-read her signature.

sorry about the still born, but it still doesn't change my advice since it is still 3 small kiddos under 10 and a lap child. That is still quite a brood to handle thru an airport. You are still talking about TEN carryon pieces between 2 adults, 3 kiddos under 10, 1 lap baby and a stroller. No way would I allow an under 5 year old to be responsible for a backpack and a packed 22inch rollie while traversing an unfamiliar airport while I myself tried to wrangle a lap baby, 22 inch rollie, stroller and a diaper bag.

What if that small child decided to drop everything to go look at the shiny thing in the window. They would endanger all kinds of people around them. Small children should only be responsible for a lovie or blankie and have one hand firmly in the hand of a responsible adult.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, it's all moot now anyway. Unless the OP has a really late flight - they're gone

 

[DebbieB]

We keep our personal items, totes or packs, with us on the floor in front of our seat because we used what was in them throughout the flight. But the Airtran website for carry on doesn't specifically say that you are limited to one item in the overhead.

They typically make an announcement saying if you have 2 bags to put one in the overhead and one underneath the seat in front of you.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

But the Airtran website for carry on doesn't specifically say that you are limited to one item in the overhead.

No, it's not really a "policy", just common courtesy. Most planes fly full these days and overhead compartment space fills quickly. I wouldn't put something in the overhead bin unless it really wouldn't fit under the seat in front of me, even though technically I'm entitled to some overhead space.
Maybe I'd feel differently if I were tall and needed the leg space.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

I swear I saw this family at MCO when we came back last December. It was two parents with four kids under 10, one an infant. They had a huge double stroller loaded dowm with bags, the parents were carrying kids, trying to push the stroller, and the older kids were also trying to drag bags and could not keep up. I would rather of stayed home then try and deal with that mess through security and getting on a plane. Much easier to pay to check two big bags and cut down on the carry ons with lots of little ones IMHO. We had 3 teenagers and still checked a bag to make things easier.