Carry on bag restrictions

[monsterkitty]

Because it makes the difference of several hundred dollars in luggage/backstage bags. And half an inch seems negligible to me, so I was curious if anyone else had experiences with the airlines and what they consider "negligible". Seems like a pretty valid reason to ask to me.

That's one of the reasons I liked this bag in particular - the 21.5x14x9.5 dimensions include wheels, handle, and fully expanded/packed (I mean, unless you just stuff it to the point you have to sit on it to zip it, which I wouldn't do anyway) where others said the bag was 22x14x9 but didn't include the wheels or handle, which to me means it isn't carry-on size when all parts are accounted for.

As I stated earlier, what I take in my carry on is essential for my race and too expensive to replace if it were to get lost and not found before the race. I make sure that the bag I put it in fits the requirements of the airline I'm flying because I'm not going to take a chance.
What one person had experienced might not be what you do. While one person might have no issue taking slightly oversized bag on- you might not be allowed because of different employees.

What one person had experienced might not be what you do. While one person might have no issue taking slightly oversized bag on- you might not be allowed because of different employees.

This is incredibly true! My bike bag is exactly the size that airlines list to determine whether it needs to be charged the oversized bag fee or not. Depending on who measures it depends on whether I'm going to be charge the fee or not. One SWA agent will charge the fee on the way to a race, another will say it's fine on the way back.

You need to be flexible and understanding that what one allows and another doesn't. If what is in the bag is expensive and not replaceable in a day's time, then you need to plan on having a bag that fits the requirements. When I get to a race and if my bike was lost during the flight, I can rent a bike for the race. Might not be the current bike I have or exact fit, but at least I can get a bike. The other stuff I can't get last minute therefore I plan accordingly and that means meeting the bag requirements.

 

[Ellie008]

My carry on bag is 2" taller and 1" wider than the stated requirements (including the handles and wheels). I have flown with it on Delta, United, and Southwest at least a hundred times. Never once have I been asked to put it in a sizer.
I would bet that a bag that measures 1/2" too large would actually fit in the sizers. I recall reading an article regarding carry on bag sizes that most sizers actually allow an extra inch or two in each direction.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Considering that all the rules around air travel are enforced by singular employees who are legally allowed to "make the call based on their own judgement of the situation", I would not risk it.
You could have a cranky employee tell you no, literally within walking distance of an employee who said yes. and they are allowed to do it.

TSA did this to our family once - we were getting into the security line, and I asked the 1st person if we could take a juice bottle (still unsealed) with us. She said yes, because of the baby with us. We move up the line, unpack all the bags, get our shoes off... less than TWENTY feet from the 1st TSA officer, the 2nd one tells us we have to ditch the juice. I lightly protest and say, "we were told yes right there." dude rolled his eyes in her direction and said, "But I said no. Don't care what she said. You want to get on the aircraft, you get rid of the juice."

 

[fly girl]

Honestly, a half of an inch probably won't get noticed. At least by most carriers that do not nickel and dime for you for everything. (I don't see legacy carriers or Jet Blue getting tape measures out, if it fits in the little stand they have by the jetway door, you're good to go.)

That's not to say it is 100% foolproof. Like PP's mentioned, you could get the cranky gate agent, but man they would really have to be nit picking for 1/2". In my career, I have seen ginormous bags make it down on the plane only to see the person struggle to get in the overhead and say, "it fit on the last flight!"

If it is the bag you really, really love (and I have had bags like that, wore them out until they died) I'd go for it. It is a half an inch. But then again, I like to gamble.