Carry on bag on airplane

[jrnunzio3]

Hi everyone,
I will be flying on Monday. We are going to try to fly with only a carry-on and the one personal item we are allowed. Since I just spent $50.00 this past week to check luggage, I was hoping to save the $50.00 on my flight this week. I checked the specifications for a USAIR flight and this is what I found.

Carry-on baggage
Size requirements
You're allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item. Personal items include a purse, briefcase or laptop bag.
Up to 45 in/115 cm (14 x 9 x 22 in or 36 x 23 x 56 cm)
Up to 40 lbs/18 kg

This seems very small to me. I was just on a flight this week and saw people with those rolling small suitcases (this is what we would use), but they seem so much bigger than the above size requirements.

Can anyone clarify exactly what we would be allowed to bring.
Thanks,
Jenny

 

[Cora]

Those dimensions are correct. Our wheeled carry on is actually smaller than this. We each have one and use it for our vacations. I pack everything that will match and if we are not staying DVC (with washer and dryer), I send the clothes out for laundering. Hope this helps.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

DH flies on USAirways every week and never checks his bag. He brings a Travel Pro "rollaboard" suitcase that is about 20-21 inches tall and a laptop bag.

 

[robind]

Those diminsions are correct and I have one that size and can fit all my work clothes for a Mon-Thur trip. As someone who flies every week, I can tell you that a lot of the bags you have seen being brought aboard are bigger than the allowed size, but the airlines do not enforce their own rules. Which annoys me to no end, but what can you do?

 

[jrnunzio3]

Thanks for the responses. I did check the piece of luggage that I want to take and it is within the dimensions that are on the USAir website. It looks like we will try to pack everything in there and see what happens. Hopefully, we can fit everything.

 

[seashoreCM]

Lots of bags have a lot of wasted space near the wheels. You'll need to shop around to find something that doesn't have this problem.

 

[bumbershoot]

Those dimensions in real life really aren't that small at all. It's a nice sized bag, actually! We still have no big luggage, we have all of our luggage from the Rick Steves travel store, and he ONLY sells carryon size bags. Our luggage looks pretty big, actually! (though not huge compared to other travelers' bags)

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I did 2 weeks in India with a carryon-legal suitcase and a messenger bag "personal item". Definately doable!

 

[Cruise]

I agree with the others. A carryon, even under the maximum allowed size, is more than enough if you actually think about the things you need rather than taking a lot of "what if I need this" type things. I actually use a 19" carryon rather than the allowed 22" because I find it fits into more overhead bins. If you have trouble getting it into the bin, they'll make you check it planeside. I was able to get everything I needed for 2 1/2 weeks in Australia into a carryon.

I have actually seen people at the boarding gate being told they had to check an item. Since the airlines have started charging for checked luggage, people try to get more and more onto the plane with them. It is possible to run into those gate agents that are on the lookout for oversize, or too many, items. If you want to make sure everything goes with you and you aren't charged for checking something, then stick to the guidelines.