Backpack allowed for men on flight?

[Twinklee]

Women can take a carryon and a purse on an airplane. Can a man who has a carryon also take a backpack? Last spring, on a flight back from San Francisco, the flight attendents took my daughter and her friend's carryon when we boarded and put them in with the checked luggage. My dh and I were right in front of them, but they didn't take ours. Dh and I are going to WDW in October and both of us have several medications, that I really won't have room for in my purse, but I don't want to put them in my carryons after what happened on our last flight. We can't afford to loose our meds. Can my dh take a backpack in addition to his carryon so we can put our meds in there?

 

[OKW Lover]

In general you (male/female doesn't matter) are allowed to carry-on items, one of which must fit under the seat in front of you. Check with your airline to be sure.

 

[lyonking3]

Yes, men and carry on a back pack. As long as it will fit in the overhead bin.

When I travel I have my roller board (Suitcase) and a stuffed back pack. Never have to check a bag! Nothing for the airline to lose!

 

[aubriee]

Yes, men and carry on a back pack. As long as it will fit in the overhead bin.

When I travel I have my roller board (Suitcase) and a stuffed back pack. Never have to check a bag! Nothing for the airline to lose!

Actually if he already has a carry on, the backpack will need to go under the seat. You're allowed two items, but one must fit under the seat in front of you.

 

[deedeetoo]

Sometimes airlines will force people to check larger carry-ons if the overhead bins are getting full. They don't charge for this, but it may be a problem if you packed valuables or other things you may need inflight in those bags. They will never take the smaller item that fits under you seat. Just make sure everything that is super important is in your smaller bag. The first time this happened to me I had to do some quick repacking at the gate to move items from one bag to another. Now I pack expecting that I may lose my larger carry-on.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Can a man who has a carryon also take a backpack?

Of course. That would be considered a personal item.

 

[dudspizza]

Yep, I always carry a backpack plus my roll-a-board. The backpack goes under the seat in front of me.

Duds

 

[crashbb]

Yep, I always carry a backpack plus my roll-a-board. The backpack goes under my seat.

Duds

You mean under the seat in front of you, right? Not under your own seat.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You mean under the seat in front of you, right?

Yes, unless you are in a bulkhead seat, then it goes in the overhead bin.

 

[seashoreCM]

If the flight attendant or gate attendant needs to take your carry on, you should stop right there, open it, and take valuables out to hand carry with you.

Some airlines have been considering large back packs as full size carry ons and either it or another carry on item you have would need to be checked.

 

[FireDancer]

Yep, I always carry a backpack plus my roll-a-board. The backpack goes under my seat.

Same here. I either bring my laptop backpack or my regular backpack along with my regular carry on bag.

 

[Cherinva]

We've never had a problem doing that.

 

[dudspizza]

You mean under the seat in front of you, right? Not under your own seat.

Yes, that is what I meant.

Same here. I either bring my laptop backpack or my regular backpack along with my regular carry on bag.

Laptop backpacks are awesome! I got one for cheap and it works perfect when I travel!

If the flight attendant or gate attendant needs to take your carry on, you should stop right there, open it, and take valuables out to hand carry with you.

Some airlines have been considering large back packs as full size carry ons and either it or another carry on item you have would need to be checked.

My last Airtran flight a girl was proclaiming in line that they offered to check her carry on (roll-a-board) for free, but she declined because she had her laptop in there..... you should have saw the look of panic on her face when she boarded to find no overhead bin space. She was told she had to gate check the bag through to the final destination.......

It is always best to be prepared to gate check by having all valuables in your personal bag or ready to take them out. I took advantage of the free offer to check my roll-a-board and it worked out perfect.

 

[crashbb]

Yes, that is what I meant.

I figured that *you* meant that (and knew the ropes), but I wanted to make sure that other people reading it (who may be new flyers) also knew!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Sometimes airlines will force people to check larger carry-ons if the overhead bins are getting full. They don't charge for this, but it may be a problem if you packed valuables or other things you may need inflight in those bags. They will never take the smaller item that fits under you seat. Just make sure everything that is super important is in your smaller bag. The first time this happened to me I had to do some quick repacking at the gate to move items from one bag to another. Now I pack expecting that I may lose my larger carry-on.

On my flight in Feb. 2011, Airtran was having to gate check about 15 or so carryon bags and they weren't allowing anyone to pull anything out of the bags that had to be gate checked.

After witnessing that, I now use a backpack as my personal carryon and put all valuables/medicines in that.

I have quit doing other carryon luggage most of the time because it's just such a pain in the - well you know where.

Yes, a man can use a backpack as his personal carryon but if the plane is full, they might not let him have 2 carryons and one would have to be gate checked.

Could you bring a bigger purse that would fit your medications and other valuables?

 

[PHXscuba]

I have had my rolling suitcase checked when the flight is very full (almost got bumped) and you are one of the later ones to board. For that reason I would never put anything super valuable or medications in it. At that point you know the suitcase is on the plane with you (unless you have another connection), but it's out of your hands. And you have to go to luggage claim!

Be sure to keep anything you want during the flight in the bag/backpack/purse that goes under your seat -- I dislike when someone is rummaging in their suitcase right above my head in-flight. I usually stuff a small purse inside my backpack if I need a "purse" while traveling.

PHXscuba

 

[dudspizza]

I figured that *you* meant that (and knew the ropes), but I wanted to make sure that other people reading it (who may be new flyers) also knew!

Ha, I knew what I meant but didn't realize what I wrote until you pointed it out...