AirTran Luggage Size ?

[dudspizza]

Ok, so I will post something... I have a couple of large suitcases if anyone wants to buy them..... back in the day there was no issue with them, but I won't even take a chance now... so they are collecting dust in the storage room.... PLUS, they fit horrible in a rental car and can become overweight very quickly....... though, the only worry I ever have is if my bowling balls will be overweight...... right bavaria?

Brings back a memory of traveling home from London when I was 15. I really wanted to bring my bowling ball home with me so I packed it in the BOTTOM of my suitcase. The agent could barely lift the dang thing.... how the heck it wasn't overweight is beyond me..... I was 15, I would have claimed ignorance... but I don't think I knew that word then.....

Duds

 

[Lewisc]

Many airlines had a 70 lb limit, one reason for lowering the limit was the employees handling luggage were getting injured because they could hardly lift the bags.

Ok, so I will post something... I have a couple of large suitcases if anyone wants to buy them..... back in the day there was no issue with them, but I won't even take a chance now... so they are collecting dust in the storage room.... PLUS, they fit horrible in a rental car and can become overweight very quickly....... though, the only worry I ever have is if my bowling balls will be overweight...... right bavaria?

Brings back a memory of traveling home from London when I was 15. I really wanted to bring my bowling ball home with me so I packed it in the BOTTOM of my suitcase. The agent could barely lift the dang thing.... how the heck it wasn't overweight is beyond me..... I was 15, I would have claimed ignorance... but I don't think I knew that word then.....

Duds

 

[carj]

I am glad that someone started this thread, I have been so concerned about minimizing my carry-on bags that I hadn't even thought about the checked luggage. Our bags definitely are within the size guidelines. I was going to try to put all of our clothes in one of the larger suitcases and other stuff in a large duffle. (We are a family of 4)

Now you have all reminded me to make sure that the bag is not too heavy, so thanks! We may be better off using the 2 suitcases and distributing the weight.

I don't want to bring more than we have to. It is just more "stuff" that I have to haul around and keep up with!

 

[MD_Dan]

AirTran has a 61" requirement (l+w+h). I've measured my Samsonite (hard case) luggage and it measures exactly 61" (if you do not count the handle along the sides or the handle on top). My question is a difficult one but I'm sure I'm not the first one to think of it. If they give me a lot of hassle ($39 for oversized luggage), could I remove the handles (a simple screw from the inside with remove these)? It would certainly make it difficult to load without any handles.

How can I say this without provoking them into having my luggage be shipped to Cleveland by mistake?

 

[Lewisc]

Your bag is over sized. I don't understand why you consider being charged the appropriate charge for an over sized bag "being hassled". BTW the fee for an over sized bag is addition to the charge for an overweight bag.

I guess you could remove the handles but you better bring the correct size screwdriver and allow enough time to leave the line, unscrew the handles and then get back on the end of the line.

People check boxes, I don't think a suitcase without handles is any different. I don't think I'd like to pull a handless suitcase off the luggage caroseul.

I'd buy a new suitcase. Airtran seems to be measuring bags, I'd go ahead and remove the handles in advance if I was going to use that bag with AirTran.

edited to add I thought you said you knew the handle could be unscrewed. Double check, the handle might be riveted.

AirTran has a 61" requirement (l+w+h). I've measured my Samsonite (hard case) luggage and it measures exactly 61" (if you do not count the handle along the sides or the handle on top). My question is a difficult one but I'm sure I'm not the first one to think of it. If they give me a lot of hassle ($39 for oversized luggage), could I remove the handles (a simple screw from the inside with remove these)? It would certainly make it difficult to load without any handles.

How can I say this without provoking them into having my luggage be shipped to Cleveland by mistake?

 

[kevgraub]

The bag is fine for measurements unless they don't measure it up against something. Like I said it has a carry handle on the side which does stick out, but if it is put up against another bag or wall it would be okay. I should just put it handle side down on the scale, is that where they measure it?

I'd take a cheap, small roll of duct tape with me to the counter. If the attendant gives you a hard time because the handle sticks out too far unless pushed in (which is how it will be once it is loaded in the cargo hold with all the other luggage), pull the bag off, tape the handle down, hand her the bag back, and then ask her if she "Knows anywhere you can stick the remainder of this roll of tape?"

 

[Lewisc]

I'd take a cheap, small roll of duct tape with me to the counter. If the attendant gives you a hard time because the handle sticks out too far unless pushed in (which is how it will be once it is loaded in the cargo hold with all the other luggage), pull the bag off, tape the handle down, hand her the bag back, and then ask her if she "Knows anywhere you can stick the remainder of this roll of tape?"

According to the poster the bag is 61" if you don't include the handles. Even with duct tape each handle will stick out at least .5" meaning the bag will measure at least 62".

edited add--I doubt the poster included the wheels when he measured the bag. I wouldn't be surprised if the measured dimensions of the bag is 63-64".

You might try the tape and joke about it but she could just ask "Do you want to pay the $39 or will you be leaving your bag behind? Why don't you get back in line after you make up your mind. Next" Alternately she could say "You don't want to pay the $39 charge. Why don't you stick your bag wherever you plan to stick the remainder of your roll of tape. Next"

I may be cynical but I think Airtran is going with 61" limit, instead of industry standard 62", so they can charge passengers like this poster. Airtran has a lower limit and has been meauring bags.

The easiest thing might be to just buy new luggage.

 

[kevgraub]

According to the poster the bag is 61" if you don't include the handles. Even with duct tape each handle will stick out at least .5" meaning the bag will measure at least 62".

I am reading the OP's situation completely different. My reading is that the handle pokes out unless pushed in. When pushed in, it measures 61", when left alone, it measures about 62". In other words, the handle does not automatically lay flat, but when layed on that side (or taped down), the handle is flat enough that it comes in at or under 61".

Its like my son in the morning. He is 4'6 in the morning if you let his hair poke up all over the place. If you push his hair down to the top of his skull, he is 4'3". You would have a hard time trying to convence me he is really 4'6" when all it takes to make him 4'3" is to lay something on top of his hair (or tape it down) or measure him standing on his head rather than standing on his feet.

Now, I can't say for sure how Airtran will measure that bag, and I am seldom one to be confrontational, but if I can lay the bag on one side and it measures 61", and lay it on the other side and it measures 62" because the handle is now poking out a little bit - I'm not going to easily agree to pay $39 in oversize charges.

Now, if the handle were to measure 62" even when pushed in - that is a completely different situation, the bag is oversized.

 

[Lewisc]

it measures exactly 61" (if you do not count the handle along the sides or the handle on top).

I am reading the OP's situation completely different. My reading is that the handle pokes out unless pushed in. When pushed in, it measures 61", when left alone, it measures about 62". In other words, the handle does not automatically lay flat, but when layed on that side (or taped down), the handle is flat enough that it comes in at or under 61".
........Now, if the handle were to measure 62" even when pushed in - that is a completely different situation, the bag is oversized.

I read it differently. Poster indicates the bag will only measure 61" if he removes two handles.

Industry standard is 62", Airtran is 61". I suspect the bag may qualify at 62", maybe using duct tape, but not 61".

I'm cynical. I think Airtran is intentionally using a lower limit so they can generate revenue to compensate for lower airfares.

 

[kevgraub]

The problem is we are talking about different posters.

The original poster is the one I was referring to. The one you quoted was a different guy.

 

[kevgraub]

I'm including the wheels, handles and everything. I have another handle on the side that actually sits closer to the bag when pushed. If the handle is not pushed against something it will be over by almost an inch.

In this situation, I really think you are fine. But just to be safe, I was somewhat serious about the duct tape thing. If you don't use that handle when picking up the suitcase (I think you indicated it was an extra handle), I'd really just consider taping it down to the bag before you go, and suddenly you have a bag that is 61" no matter how they measure it.

 

[Lewisc]

The problem is we are talking about different posters.

The original poster is the one I was referring to. The one you quoted was a different guy.

Check the dates the OP was more then a year ago. I was responding to the post that was made today.

I agree the OP is close but probably OK. The poster I quoted is taking a chance.

 

[kevgraub]

Check the dates the OP was more then a year ago. I was responding to the post that was made today.

I agree the OP is close but probably OK. The poster I quoted is taking a chance.

Yep, I missed that. I thought the OP brought it up and the other poster just had a similar question.

When it comes to the second poster, I agree, he is SOL. That bag is too big, and it is probably not worth it to take the handles off.

 

[CarolA]

AirTran has a 61" requirement (l+w+h). I've measured my Samsonite (hard case) luggage and it measures exactly 61" (if you do not count the handle along the sides or the handle on top). My question is a difficult one but I'm sure I'm not the first one to think of it. If they give me a lot of hassle ($39 for oversized luggage), could I remove the handles (a simple screw from the inside with remove these)? It would certainly make it difficult to load without any handles.

How can I say this without provoking them into having my luggage be shipped to Cleveland by mistake?

But... They DO MEASURE the handle on the sides and top. And somehow I doubt they are going to put up with "disassembling the luggage"

This seems to be a thread from the dead, but for those of you flying... THEY DO MEASURE....

The measurements include EVERYTHING. The taped down handle gets measured... SO if you were 62" with the handle and 61.5" after 'taping' you pay!

They might not measure, but... they are under pressure NOT to let the oversize bags slide.

 

[mrscoobs]

But... They DO MEASURE the handle on the sides and top. And somehow I doubt they are going to put up with "disassembling the luggage"

This seems to be a thread from the dead, but for those of you flying... THEY DO MEASURE....

The measurements include EVERYTHING. The taped down handle gets measured... SO if you were 62" with the handle and 61.5" after 'taping' you pay!

They might not measure, but... they are under pressure NOT to let the oversize bags slide.

Just wanted to add that if you put tape on the handle that you are more than likely going to have to sign the Limited Release section of the baggage claim tag as they will assume the tape is damage to the original bag that they are not going to cover if it gets further damaged (though handles aren't covered anyway).

 

[cdrn1]

I do not own any other luggage, just the one large Samsonite.

I am checking it not trying to carry it on. I used it last year and it was not over 50lbs. On the return flight from DL, I did have to repack it as I forgot about the weight limit and had packed my nieces mugs for her parents and grandad in my bag, I also had left over food (applesauce, jello) that I had brought with us.

I don't think I would pack anymore this time than last, might even be less as we have the DDP. No need to pack lots of food.

The bag is fine for measurements unless they don't measure it up against something. Like I said it has a carry handle on the side which does stick out, but if it is put up against another bag or wall it would be okay. I should just put it handle side down on the scale, is that where they measure it?

I would think it would be cheaper to get a new bag that you know is under the limit than to be socked with an over-limit charge.

 

[fac]

It's very difficult to pack a bag that just meets the airline size requirements without going over weight. Unless something changes I don't think the airline will get you on the size of your bag but airlines need money. It would make sense to have an employee check the size of the bags. Easy source of extra money. Once you get to the airport there isn't a lot you can do other then pay.

Time for new luggage. Remember a lot of the bags in places like Marshalls are too big. You really don't want a bag bigger then 26" or 27"

couldn't agree more.
We went to Denver last year. First she said our bag overweight, when we showed her that it was not. She began to say it was oversize and proceeded to measure. It showed 61", we got no other choice when we were in the airport.
It would be easier if it were overweight, because we have a spare bag most of the time or we could move the stuff around.
On the return flight, it was not a problem.

After we came back, DH went to Marshalls to pick up a smaller bag.

 

[pilotwife_02]

Many airlines had a 70 lb limit, one reason for lowering the limit was the employees handling luggage were getting injured because they could hardly lift the bags.

The other reason is for weight and balance reasons. Each peice of luggage is assumed to be a certain weight so to discourage people from going over that assumed weight they charge people an enormous amount of money.

I agree, why risk being charged at the gate, they probably won't measure it, but you never know and that's not something I'd take the chance with.