Can I check a cooler of bottled water on a SW flight?

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

We are flying for the first time this year. We will be staying at POP and would like to bring our electric cooler to avoid paying extra for a fridge. The cord is detachable and can be stored in our luggage. Can I bring the cooler and fill it with bottle water (no ice)? I've already done the math and it will be under 50 pounds. I was just wondering if this is allowed. We have extra tags so that isn't an issue (flying on SW and we get 2 per person). Thanks!

 

[cindym]

Yes, but check the linear dimensions. I don't know about SW but most airlines have a linear size limit of 61 to 63 ins. Linear size to airlines is height plus width plus depth. It is a made up term that was made up by the airlines! Also you must tape the lid down so that it will not come open.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Thank you for explaining the sizing rules. I didn't realize that it was a TOTAL of three measurements. I just thought you couldn't exceed 62" in either direction. Our cooler is fine but now I'm worried about our stroller. I measured it and it is right at the limit but is an odd item to measure, so they could get a different number than I did. Boy I hope it doesn't go over and I have to pay $50!!!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

When you have a question about a specific airline's policy, why not check the airline's website for a definitive answer? Then you'll be sure to know what is allowed.

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/baggage.html

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/infants.html

 

[miprender]

Thank you for explaining the sizing rules. I didn't realize that it was a TOTAL of three measurements. I just thought you couldn't exceed 62" in either direction. Our cooler is fine but now I'm worried about our stroller. I measured it and it is right at the limit but is an odd item to measure, so they could get a different number than I did. Boy I hope it doesn't go over and I have to pay $50!!!

Your stroller should be fine if you are going to gate check it. That is what we have always done in the past and had no problem.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

When you have a question about a specific airline's policy, why not check the airline's website for a definitive answer? Then you'll be sure to know what is allowed.

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/baggage.html

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/infants.html

I've already read everything on the SW site. That info covers the basics, but doesn't have info on specific questions like this. I even called them about a few things, including this, but the lady I spoke with didn't sound very knowledgeable. In fact, I know she gave me wrong information on at least one thing (she said I could carry a can of Lysol in my checked luggage and I later found out that I cannot). So I thought I would ask here and see what others have experienced since I have never flown and am feeling very overwhelmed by all of the rules.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Your stroller should be fine if you are going to gate check it. That is what we have always done in the past and had no problem.

Thanks! I am planning to gate check it. I guess the measurements don't matter for gate checked strollers??? I just assumed they would charge if it was over the 62" limit. I would just check it with our luggage, but we have an early flight and want to use it in the park that day. I don't want to wait around at the hotel for it to arrive from ME. We want to head straight to the park.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Yes, but check the linear dimensions. I don't know about SW but most airlines have a linear size limit of 61 to 63 ins. Linear size to airlines is height plus width plus depth. It is a made up term that was made up by the airlines! Also you must tape the lid down so that it will not come open.

Linear size is also used in shipping, not sure who came up with it first, my guess would be shipping companies, but I could be mistaken.

 

[carleypoo2]

We too have an electric cooler and are trying to decide how to bring it. I thought about shipping it-but then i wasn't sure how we would get it home. Also thought about putting it into one of the checked luggage bags or taking it as a carry on? Let me know what toy decide and find out! Thanks

 

[myfavvac]

A few years ago I tried to check a bag on Southwest full of water and a few gatorades. They announced my name over the loud speaker and hunted me down at the departure gate. It may have been just Southwest out of Manchester AP but they made me take out the drinks and throw them away. It was a bit embarrassing. I told them to give the drinks to the ground crew because it was late August and hot as, well you know.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

We too have an electric cooler and are trying to decide how to bring it. I thought about shipping it-but then i wasn't sure how we would get it home. Also thought about putting it into one of the checked luggage bags or taking it as a carry on? Let me know what toy decide and find out! Thanks

We took it last year and it was perfect. It saved us $10/day and we had cold drinks in the room all the time. And I love that it doesn't need ice. But we drove down last year so it wasn't an issue. I think we are going to try it. If they make me throw out the water, then I will be out $5. No big deal.

A few years ago I tried to check a bag on Southwest full of water and a few gatorades. They announced my name over the loud speaker and hunted me down at the departure gate. It may have been just Southwest out of Manchester AP but they made me take out the drinks and throw them away. It was a bit embarrassing. I told them to give the drinks to the ground crew because it was late August and hot as, well you know.

Oh no! That would be embarrassing. Well, we are going for it. My DH says we will be embarrassed anyway b/c we will look like "country come to town" since we have never flown before!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

A few years ago I tried to check a bag on Southwest full of water and a few gatorades. They announced my name over the loud speaker and hunted me down at the departure gate. It may have been just Southwest out of Manchester AP but they made me take out the drinks and throw them away. It was a bit embarrassing. I told them to give the drinks to the ground crew because it was late August and hot as, well you know.

They probably did this because they feared the damage the drinks would have on everyone else's luggage if they burst or leaked.

 

[ontariomonkey]

Are you sure that it isn't too fragile? They really toss the luggage around. Also, I would worry about how securely the lid stays closed. Regular coolers can be popped open pretty easily and I could totally see that happening. Not sure about yours.

 

[brenda1966]

Personally, I would check the cooler w/out contents as luggage if it's small enough. Then have groceries delivered to your room when you get there. I think gargen grocer is the name of the place we've used in the past.

 

[Tiggs14]

Have you looked into fridge swaps at Pop. They listed as a sticky in the budget board and are completely free.

I personally wouldn't take the cooler for fear that it would get broken. Even if the cooler made it in one piece I'd have my doubts it's still worked from the banging it will likely take.

You can have water and any other items you need delivered to your room from Garden Grocer or a similiar company.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I did consider Garden Grocer. I just thought this would be cheaper and we wouldn't have to go get ice everyday. It's not a big deal though if we have to do that. I didn't realize they are that rough with the luggage. Like I said, we have never flown. This is all new to me. I guess I will have to think on it all a little. I don't want the cooler ruined. We use it a lot and it is such a nice little invention! Hmmmmm.............. Maybe I should read up on the fridge swaps too. I've heard of them but don't know the details. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. This is why I DIS!!!!

 

[bavaria]

I don't want the cooler ruined.

You may also want to consider that the other travellers on your flight don't want THEIR items ruined. It has happened to too many of us.

Use a grocery delivery service, or walk to a Hess station (or take the bus), or shop at the resort shop, or rent a car for a day, or take a taxi to a grocery store or convenience store.

There are countless threads here about people packing water on a flight and the subsequent damage that the rest of us have had to deal with.

You may not have considered your fellow passengers, but the risk is not just to your cooler but to others as well.

 

[crashbb]

I've already read everything on the SW site. That info covers the basics, but doesn't have info on specific questions like this. I even called them about a few things, including this, but the lady I spoke with didn't sound very knowledgeable. In fact, I know she gave me wrong information on at least one thing (she said I could carry a can of Lysol in my checked luggage and I later found out that I cannot). So I thought I would ask here and see what others have experienced since I have never flown and am feeling very overwhelmed by all of the rules.

That would probably be because SW doesn't have a rule against carrying on Lysol - the TSA does. The 3-1-1 rule and other prohibited items are not up to the airline - they are set by the TSA.

 

[brenda1966]

Be afraid -- be very afraid of what they do to your luggage. Not only do they toss it around, they throw heavy stuff on top of it. And when you get your stroller back, check it and make sure it still has all it's wheels!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

You may also want to consider that the other travellers on your flight don't want THEIR items ruined. It has happened to too many of us.

Use a grocery delivery service, or walk to a Hess station (or take the bus), or shop at the resort shop, or rent a car for a day, or take a taxi to a grocery store or convenience store.

There are countless threads here about people packing water on a flight and the subsequent damage that the rest of us have had to deal with.

You may not have considered your fellow passengers, but the risk is not just to your cooler but to others as well.

I am a very considerate person and wouldn't do anything that I thought would ruin anyone else's things. That's why I am asking this question in the first place. I want to make sure it is ok BEFORE I do it. It's impossible for someone to know all the things you all have mentioned here when you've never flown before. And I would LOVE to search for other threads on this topic to read what others have already posted, but the search feature on the DIS never works. I'm sure there are many repeated postings because of this. But thank you for the suggestions. I may just suck it up and pay $12 for $5 worth of water to be delivered. I am just a VERY frugal person and am willing to do a little research before spending any amount of money that I think might not be necessary.

That would probably be because SW doesn't have a rule against carrying on Lysol - the TSA does. The 3-1-1 rule and other prohibited items are not up to the airline - they are set by the TSA.

Yeah, I just expected that a rep. of SW would know the TSA rules in detail. She obviously didn't. And the TSA site is not crystal clear. It says no aerosols in checked or carry on bags except for "personal care items in limited quantities." You have to admit that is very vague and warranted a call to SW for me to ask for some clarification. Since then, I have read that limited quantities for aerosols basically means travel sized items. It is very confusing for a newbie, especially when the officials don't seem to know either.

Be afraid -- be very afraid of what they do to your luggage. Not only do they toss it around, they throw heavy stuff on top of it. And when you get your stroller back, check it and make sure it still has all it's wheels!

Oh my! That would not make me very happy! A stoller without wheels won't get me very far at WDW!