Carry-on or check luggage?

[n2mm]

Well, start shopping.... since you cannot carry on anything remotely looking like a liquid. (Toothpaste, makeup, mouthwash, shaving creme etc....)

The TSA at work, you aren't really any safer, but you are a LOT more harrassed..

I flew last week and it was strange seeing a big bin of stuff folks are having to throw away. There was baby lotion and baby wash, hand santizer, toothpaste, lots of cologne and bath and body works. And make up too! This rule didn't affect us at all, because we check everything and carry on a little backpack. This works for us and we are hands free. Getting through security was a breeze. With more than 60 trips to WDW under our belt, we would never even think of bringing our luggage on board.....Oh, and let me tell you about the overhead compartments.....wow, other than a couple of lap-tops and jackets, and diaper bags, they were empty. Somthing I've never seen before, and the flight was full.

I also agree about how fast the planes were loaded. We left Dulles early because we were ready earlier and we arrived at 10:30AM and were not due in until 11:00AM.....we were really excited about that, pixie dust was all around us for that trip (got upgraded from Pop to CSR at checkin for free, but that's a different story!).

As for checking my bags at Dulles, it went easier than ever. It took 10 minutes to get through the line and check my bags. Anyone who has used Dulles knows how big this place is will know that is great news, using United.

 

[jekjones1558]

If the new carry-on rules help decrease the number of inconsiderate folks who blatantly abuse the limits on size and number of carry-ons, I say "Hearing about free space in overhead bins is music to my ears!"

 

[Fitswimmer]

If the new carry-on rules help decrease the number of inconsiderate folks who blatantly abuse the limits on size and number of carry-ons, I say Hearing about free space in overhead bins is music to my ears!

Me too!! Nobody seems to get that the time you think you're saving by not having to go to baggage claim gets transferred to the time taken up on the runway waiting while everyone tries to stuff 2 weeks worth of baggage in the overhead!
I always checked my bag-even if I only had one because everyone else didn't and I hated trying to find room for it. The only thing the new restrictions are doing to me is making me scout for Purell "wipes" and missing my bottle of water.

 

[corinnak]

When traveling with one or more kids, it is hard to imagine schlepping any more luggage than we must (and we lug more than I like most times, anyhow since my DH has a CPAP that he really needs and I tend to carry on stuff to keep the kids quiet and mostly happy on the flight. Last time we flew, we actually gate checked a garment bag full of funeral clothes because we didn't want to risk it getting delayed in Detroit as we needed it that very night. The less we have in the airport, the happier I am.

I can see that it would be a different case, though, without the added excitement and bags caused by the kids. We do, however, use less than our share of overhead space. One ittle wheely bag with the medical eqipment and the rest fits under the seats - we dread bulkhead seats, though.

We may also get away with packing fewer clothes and checking fewer bags now that we have DVC and don't have to carve out a "special" time for doing laundry, though. Looking forward to that!

It is SO interesting to hear how the new restrictions are shifting the air travel experience. Or at least how they were shifting them.

 

[tgj]

My son is already panicking wondering if he'll be able to bring his Game Boy on the flight.....
Two hours with just a book or crossword puzzle or a deck of cards is just one step away from H*** for a 10 year old boy!!!!!!

 

[alexandone]

I always check my bags. Why lug them around the airport? I also get annoyed by the person who has carried on a 50 pound four-foot long duffle and is trying to squeeze into a space for a std. carry-on.

 

[n2mm]

My son is already panicking wondering if he'll be able to bring his Game Boy on the flight.....
Two hours with just a book or crossword puzzle or a deck of cards is just one step away from H*** for a 10 year old boy!!!!!!

Unless you're flying international, that is not a problem at all. Many of the kids on the flights last week from Wash. to Orlando had their hand held games. I believe only international flights are restricting a much larger list of items. I did hear that shoe inserts (the gel ones) where also banded, I would've never thought about those.

 

[tomchris]

My DW and I have always carried on a medium bag each and then rented a car at the airport. From now on we'll check in the luggage, use the ME and then rent the car at the Dolphin.

 

[bzzelady]

Had lunch with my mother today...she told me she intends to ship all her toiletries to herself at the resort when we go in December.
Got me to thinking...guess I'll put mine in ziploc bags and put them in the box with hers. Then I can just take a small carry on for me and one for my daughter.

Think I'll ship my foodstuffs that I usually bring along for the kitchen in a separate box, though...

 

[thelobstershanty]

I flew last week.....Oh, and let me tell you about the overhead compartments.....wow, other than a couple of lap-tops and jackets, and diaper bags, they were empty. Somthing I've never seen before, and the flight was full.

Well, that is great to hear! Maybe now there will be room for people to bring a small bag of vacation purchases on the trip home!
We always check as much as we can. In our opinion, there is enough "stuff" you have to go through to get onboard, without the additonal hassle of carry ons. Between keeping track of you boarding pass, id, etc., and then going through taking on and off your shoes, putting all you coins, etc in the bin, etc., etc, while lugging a carry on--only to then try to stuff it in a crowded overhead and then repeat the process upon landing!!!!!!!!
Knock on wood we have never lost anything in many, many flights; but even if we did, I still think it would be worth the hassle of lugging/stowing, etc carry ons.
Personally, if this new law is making boarding and deboarding faster---I am thrilled!!

 

[RLevy29]

This new ruling will only effect us on our flights to Florida or Myrtle Beach. We always tried to do carry-on only. This wasn't a big deal in Atlantic City or any of our destinations in Florida. It was nice to bypass the baggage claim. We had our packing down to a science and nothing was ever too heavy to put in the overhead bins.
It is a big deal in Philadelphia. I don't care where you have been, the luggage seems to arrive at least an hour after you do! It is annoying but after all of the many trips we have taken we have come to the conclusion that we have to grin and bear it. We love to travel and see new and exciting places so we are just going to have to put up with checking our lugggage everywhere and just calculate the time in phl airport each time. We carry on anything that we know that would be expensive or next to impossible to replace.
Mailing items would be a good solution if you want to make sure you have what you need.

 

[debbiepump]

You know SeaTac (Seattle) airport must have the slowest baggage handlers of all time but we've noticed since all the new rules have come into effect, things have speeded up considerably. I think with less stuffage in the overhead bin of overpacked carry on's, less stuff having to go through security and everyone getting in their seats quicker, flying my just get little bit better. They say sometimes something good comes out of bad. Perhaps we'll even get bottles of water on our flights and more than one bag 'o peanuts!!

 

[corinnak]

I did hear that shoe inserts (the gel ones) where also banded, I would've never thought about those.

Oh goodness, that is one I hadn't considered. I guess I will be sure to pack a nice new pair in my checked bags - LOVE those gel inserts.