carry on size? all the same?

[ducklite]

You're right. It's a piece of cake...if you are traveling solo.

Each person is allowed one carryon and one personal item. Why is it any different if you are traveling with kids. There's no way you can tell me that you can't fit 24 hours worth of diapers, formula, clothes, and other baby gear into my 19" rollon. That's for the baby's seat. You can pack your 24 hours of neccesities in your rollon. And carry on the camera case as a personal item.

Oops! You didn't buy a seat for the baby? Well, I guess that's your problem to figure out then.

(I use the words "you" and "Your" rhetorically.)

Anne

 

[ducklite]

When I was commuting back and forth from Florida to NYC to see my husband and pregnant, I had no trouble finding people to help me with my carryon bag. Contrary to popular belief, there are still lots of helpful people on flights.

The only time I've ever had trouble was trying to wrestle the car seat, a diaper bag, a purse and a toddler down the airport aisle by myself. That was misery.

I never said no one would help. I said that it's very possible that you won't get help and you need to check anything you can't manage. That goes for pregnant, senior, kids flying alone, short, bad back, whatever. The exception of course would be a mobility impaired passenger, but then again 99% of those that I've ever seen have only a tote bag with them onboard.

That said, IMHO if you've bought a ticket for an under two, the gate agent or FA should offer to help with carrying the car seat (and only the car seat) down the ramp and into the plane for you--they aren't that heavy. I absolutely agree with you on that, and always wondered why that courtesy wasn't automatically extended.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Yup. My DH can travel on business for a whole week out of his carry-on and have room left over. It takes him about 30 minutes to pack (if that). *I* get stuck with all of my stuff, all of my DD's stuf, all the *extra* stuff that we need as a family. *sigh* I long for the day when I can pack in a single carry-on bag! I hope it comes soon since we're going to Japan next year! I don't want to schlep 5 bags to Japan.

I'm not getting this. Why doesn't your DD have a backpack and just carry her own "stuff". She's certainly old enough to manage a small pack with a change of clothes, bathing suit and toothbrush plus a couple small things to keep her entertained while on the plane.

What kind of "extra stuff" for the family are you carrying that can't be checked?

I think we're getting off track here--I'm talking about CARRY ON. I just can't see where anyone would need to carry on as much as I'm seeing people carry on, or more than they could physically handle.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Gate-checking a bag usually means that it meets you at the jetway when you get off the plane, especially on those regional jets like Hannathy is talking about. Some of those puddle jumpers don't have a whole lot of room. If your bag gets gate-checked on a major route it's more likely that you will have to pick it up at baggage claim.

I actually love flying those little regionals where you leave your bag on the tarmac as you board the plane, and pick it back up on the tarmac when you get off. You know it's on the plane, you do'nt have to wait for it at baggage claim, and you do'nt ahve to schlepp it on and off yourself. The best of all worlds!!

Anne

 

[safetymom]

I could travel light even when my kids were small. There is no need to bring a lot of stuff with you when traveling.

If you do a little research before traveling you can minimize any problems that may occur.

 

[bicker]

So, i'm reading two threads... the first one is, put everything in your carryon luggage....nebulizer, cameras, computer, diapers, medicine, change of clothes, pjs, swimwear, etc. etc...and the second one is how you can't carry on much luggage! No wonder people are so stressed about traveling. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

The first thread is about what passengers would want (and what airlines would love to be able to charge enough to provide), while this thread is reality.

 

[CarolA]

Some of you are BROADLY definining "essentials" An "essential" or "valuable" is something YOU MUST HAVE, not "all you shampoo, makeup, shaving kit etc...." Medications are essential. Shampoo is not.. they sell it in Orlando. Nebulizers are essential.

Valuables are electronics and jewerly not your clothing. So if they ask you to check your carry on (and it has happened to me when my connnections have been late) be ready. I have been known to unzip the suitcase and pull out the laptop. I then check the bag and carry on the laptop. Your "essentials" including the tons of entertainment kids now seem to need should be in a carry on that fits UNDER the seat. (somehow as a child I flew all over the country with a book.. ,Many of the flights I read about on here are a few hours. Two hours without video game might not kill a child! And if he/she won't beheve without the "video" entertainment..... that's not the video's fault.)

 

[troy mcclure]

The only time I've ever had trouble was trying to wrestle the car seat, a diaper bag, a purse and a toddler down the airport aisle by myself. That was misery.

No, that was your choice. There are many means of transportation and you made a choice to fly.

 

[bicker]

Also, keep in mind that there are companies in business to transport cargo, and they'll provide much greater assurances than the airlines, which are in the business to transport people, can provide.

 

[keishashadow]

IMO people are lugging bigger & more carry-ons (embracing the 1 carryone & personal bag pp to the extreme).

Last couple flights I've been on, we've been delayed because late boarders can't find room for their carry-ons & they have to get checked with much ado.

Don't know whether people don't check out the indiv. airline website as to size restrictions but, I've seen some awfully large bags being toted on.

Size does matter but, I wonder about the actual weight restrictions moreso. General population's weight is creeping up (no flames, I'm right with 'ya) + more & heavier bags = potential for disaster.

Hope someone's minding the ship.

 

[ducklite]

Some of you are BROADLY definining "essentials" An "essential" or "valuable" is something YOU MUST HAVE, not "all you shampoo, makeup, shaving kit etc...." Medications are essential. Shampoo is not.. they sell it in Orlando. Nebulizers are essential.

Valuables are electronics and jewerly not your clothing. So if they ask you to check your carry on (and it has happened to me when my connnections have been late) be ready. I have been known to unzip the suitcase and pull out the laptop. I then check the bag and carry on the laptop. Your "essentials" including the tons of entertainment kids now seem to need should be in a carry on that fits UNDER the seat. (somehow as a child I flew all over the country with a book.. ,Many of the flights I read about on here are a few hours. Two hours without video game might not kill a child! And if he/she won't beheve without the "video" entertainment..... that's not the video's fault.)

This post is oh so true. I carry a mini deoderant, comb, travel toothbrush, and small tube of toothpaste in my camera bag--in case I end up having to check my carryon and have an extended stay in an airport and want to freshen up--for me carrying my toothpaste IS essential, certain brands trigger an asthma attack--I know, weird. But there is NOTHING else I NEED to face the world as far as toiletries.

Obviously my laptop and camera gear do not get checked. Like Carol I also carry my laptop in my roll-on (And I thought I was the only person who did this!), but it's easy enough to pull it out and carry it. I carry my wallet and medication in my camera bag as well. (Luckily it's got some roomy side pockets I don't need for my gear.)

Anne

 

[ducklite]

IMO people are lugging bigger & more carry-ons (embracing the 1 carryone & personal bag pp to the extreme).

Last couple flights I've been on, we've been delayed because late boarders can't find room for their carry-ons & they have to get checked with much ado.

Don't know whether people don't check out the indiv. airline website as to size restrictions but, I've seen some awfully large bags being toted on.

Size does matter but, I wonder about the actual weight restrictions moreso. General population's weight is creeping up (no flames, I'm right with 'ya) + more & heavier bags = potential for disaster.

Hope someone's minding the ship.

I agree, some of what people define as a "carry on" lately is ridiculous. I've actually downsized to a 19" ultra lightweight roll on (19 1/2" top of handle to end of wheels) and my camera gear bag as my personal item. One of the reasons for doing so was so that it will fit into ALL overheads "wheels in".

What burns me up are the people who board in Orlando carrying on the one carryon and one personal items PLUS a huge bag of souveniers or stuffed animal. Or the people who put all their carry on's in an overhead and won't put anything under the seat.

My carryon goes in the overhead in a manner which wastes no space, and my gear goes under the seat. I try to take up as little space as possible. It's just the polite thing to do.

Anne

 

[troy mcclure]

My carryon goes in the overhead in a manner which wastes no space, and my gear goes under the seat. I try to take up as little space as possible. It's just the polite thing to do.

Anne

Business travel (and even leisure travel) would be so much more pleasant if more people did this. Thank you for setting an excellent example for us all!

 

[jodifla]

No, that was your choice. There are many means of transportation and you made a choice to fly.

So, you expect all single parents to drive????? I had to get to Michigan and back in a weekend.

Not really a choice, a necessity.

 

[jodifla]

Back to the OP's original question, it is best to check the airline's Web site to see what they require. Airlines seem to be changing the rules all the time these days. My normally carryon bag I've had for 10 years now looks like it's an inch wider than what Spirit wants....even though I know I've flown a dozen times with Spirit with that bag. It's a rollon, and it fits the shortways in the overhead compartment, even with the wheels. The wheels stick over a bit, but because of the way the cargo door curves, the bag still fits easily.

I have a shorter carry on I can switch to, but nothing as narrow as Spirit claims it wants. Even my husband's carryon, which is one of the kinds pilots often use, is an inch over the width requirement. And he's flown on Spirit with it a dozen times, too.

I do lilke to carry on as little as possible on the plane....but then I'm torn about checking things in case the luggage gets lost.

 

[troy mcclure]

So, you expect all single parents to drive????? I had to get to Michigan and back in a weekend.

Not really a choice, a necessity.

Vacations are also a choice, not a necessity. As I said, there are many means of transportation... flying is one; driving is another. There are also trains and buses. If flying is a misery, one could choose to vacation somewhere that doesn't require one to fly.

As I said, it's all about choices.

 

[ducklite]

Business travel (and even leisure travel) would be so much more pleasant if more people did this. Thank you for setting an excellent example for us all!

It was a good excuse to get the purchase of a HOT PINK (I've got a *thing* for pink ) and not inexpensive roll on past DH!

Anne

 

[ducklite]

So, you expect all single parents to drive????? I had to get to Michigan and back in a weekend.

Not really a choice, a necessity.

I don't see what being a single parent has to do with driving. When DS was about two I drove from Albany, NY to Cleveland and back in three days time by myself.

Now I understand if there was a family emergency it was unavoidable to fly if you were only gone two or three days. But "single parent" shouldn't play into the equation. In your case DISTANCE is the reason, not the "single parent" cop out that I and most others are really sick of hearing.

Anne (who WAS a single parent)

 

[jodifla]

I don't see what being a single parent has to do with driving. When DS was about two I drove from Albany, NY to Cleveland and back in three days time by myself.

Now I understand if there was a family emergency it was unavoidable to fly if you were only gone two or three days. But "single parent" shouldn't play into the equation. In your case DISTANCE is the reason, not the "single parent" cop out that I and most others are really sick of hearing.

Anne (who WAS a single parent)

In my case, I was talking about flying alone and trying to juggle the diaper bag and the carseat and my purse and a toddler down the aisle of an airplane. That's the only reason the single parent angle came up. I had to fly because of the distance, and I needed the diaper bag and the car seat, and my purse. Oh, yes, and the toddler who was dashing off while I juggled everything.

 

[jodifla]

Vacations are also a choice, not a necessity. As I said, there are many means of transportation... flying is one; driving is another. There are also trains and buses. If flying is a misery, one could choose to vacation somewhere that doesn't require one to fly.

As I said, it's all about choices.

IT WAS NOT A VACATION. I had to get back and forth to Michigan from South Florida in three days with DS by myself. Until they perfect that beaming technology, the flight was the only thing I could do.

But I appreciate all the empathy you have for fellow human beings.