Carry-on tips

[LeslieG]

I'm thinking hard about changing my packing habits to allow me to take a carry-on only instead of checking a bag. Does every airline have different dimensions for carry-ons, or is it pretty standard? And am I correct I can take my carry-on, plus a personal item that could be a backpack or briefcase? I imagine the airlines are going to really start cracking down on carry-on items since people are going to try to avoid the cost of checking a bag. Any tips for packing?

 

[jellybeans0607]

for most airlines(but call the one you are using) you can take a carry on to be stored over head and a small bag to be stored by your feet.
just be aware of any liquids. like hairspray or shampoo. even liquid make ups and mascara. they need to be bagged inside your carry on. go to the website to find out how. i never bother wth this step and just check everything. i only take my purse on the plane.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Airlines have different dimensions, and different levels of enforcement. Check YOUR airline's website for specifics.

 

[anonymousegirl]

Just remember if you are only doing carry-on, all your liquids must be 3oz or less and all liquids, aerosols, gels, creams must fit inside a 1-qt ziplock bag. This includes lipstick, chapstick, sunscreen, liquid makeup, hair spray, etc. It can be done for smaller trips, but I have never tried it for a trip to WDW. I need way more sunscreen than that!

 

[cudworth]

We are going to disney for 14 days in Aug . We are a family of 4 with a 13 yr old & a 15yr old . Believe it or not we are doing carryon only. In the summer you need alot less clothing we plan on washing cloths at least twice. Ok now this is going to sound wierd but you know how when you come home you always have more stuff. I pack some stuff that is still in good shape but I really don't like to wear anymore and leave it behind after I know I don't need to wear it anymore. Weird I know.

 

[andymattmom]

I have a question to add onto this. Do the powdered makeups count and have to be in the baggies? I am talking about the mineral types.

Thanks

 

[TrixyA]

Target store-brand 1 quart zipper bags are just a tiny bit larger than ziplock or hefty. This can be helpful if your 17 year old teenage daughter is trying to stuff everything in the universe into a 1 quart bag.

 

[CarolA]

IMHO more important then the "size" is the weight and your ablity.

I am 5'4" and like a lot of women don't have a lot of upper body strength. If I cannot lift the 22" over my head and into the overhead bin then it's checked. Do NOT assume the FA or anyone else will help you. The FAs are not required to (the airlines don't like the injury claims from backs thrown out)

My 22" is often not close to full when I do carry on.

Also, remember the size restrictions on the airline sight are as packed. So if your bag is just fine sitting there empty in your den, but when you pack it you had to stuff the front and back pockets and FORCE it closed, measure again. I bet it grew to beyond the lmits!

 

[rgf207]

It also depends on when you board. If your boarding zone is last or close to last, there may be very little or no carryon space left and then they will check your bag. I saw that happen to a lot of people on my last flight.

 

[snowbunny]

It also depends on when you board. If your boarding zone is last or close to last, there may be very little or no carryon space left and then they will check your bag. I saw that happen to a lot of people on my last flight.

I have become sort of a fan of gate-checking carry-on bags...no wrestling with it on the plane, pick it up on your way off, on the jetway. This past weekend we had to gate check the same item (well within regular carry-on dimensions) four times because of limited space on the ERJ-145 for each leg. Not a problem for me at all.

 

[aubriee]

IMHO more important then the "size" is the weight and your ablity.

I am 5'4" and like a lot of women don't have a lot of upper body strength. If I cannot lift the 22" over my head and into the overhead bin then it's checked.
My 22" is often not close to full when I do carry on.
Also, remember the size restrictions on the airline sight are as packed. So if your bag is just fine sitting there empty in your den, but when you pack it you had to stuff the front and back pockets and FORCE it closed, measure again. I bet it grew to beyond the lmits!

I'm thinking about getting a smaller carry on, (if I can find one to match my checked bag ). I am 5' 6" and can lift my 22" carry on into the overhead bin, even when it's full. However, it is one of those rolling duffel types that has alot of pockets on the outside and really expands. Flying back from MCO to DFW this past May I noticed the little metal measuring thingy next to where you walk onto the plane. There is no way my 22" carry on would have fit in that thing. For carry ons, the airlines website says 45" for American Airlines and 55" for Air Tran. My carry on was within those dimensions, but still no way it would have fit in that metal measuring thing. Once we got on the plane it did fit wheels in, like it was supposed to, but if they had chosen to measure it before I boarded, it would not have been allowed. I just now stuffed it completely full of towels, so that the tops and sides expanded, and remeasured it and sure enough, it is now well over American Airlines limits, but still within Air Tran's for carry ons. According to the web site where I bought it though, it is "legal carryon size" and lists it's measurements as 22"x12"12", which if you are paying attention is 1" over AA's limits, even before anything is put in it.

I'm going on a cruise in January, so will have two formal dresses, plus all my other cruise stuff, so want to carry the biggest bags I'm allowed that are manageable. I'm thinking about buying new bags without wheels, since the wheels and frames add so much weight, but dread dragging them through the airports without wheels. Any suggestions?

 

[java]

I'm thinking about buy new bags without wheels, since the wheels and frames add so much weight, but dread dragging them through the airports without wheels. Any suggestions?

Why not curbside check in?

 

[msr709]

I bought a collapsible luggage carrier and its very compact and I can fit a regular sized carry on it. It collapses very small and I put it on the carry on through the snapped handle area. Hope this is clear. I got it at a Samsonite outlet store. HTH

 

[rico567]

Don't make any fixed plans with your carryons. My brother, who works in TSA (and views all this with amusement, since it doesn't really fall within his purview), says that the airlines have created an instant monster with their ill-thought-out checked bag fees. Predictably, there is already a huge surge of people trying to carry on more and more, and the results are a foregone conclusion. The airlines will either have to drop the checked baggage fees they just instituted, or start cracking down hard on carryon items. Since the latter doesn't cost them anything, I suspect that's what they'll do.

Favorite carryon passenger observed on our recent flight to MCO was a gentleman accompanied by a boy around ten. Between them they had three suitcases, plus a smaller bag for two each, the three suitcases just small enough to be jammed into the overhead compartment. I got the impression that the only reason the boy was along was to increase the carryon allowance, since the appearance of the man and all the luggage was strictly that of a business traveler. Since we only fly twice a year max, I can laugh about these things.

 

[CarolA]

I have become sort of a fan of gate-checking carry-on bags...no wrestling with it on the plane, pick it up on your way off, on the jetway. This past weekend we had to gate check the same item (well within regular carry-on dimensions) four times because of limited space on the ERJ-145 for each leg. Not a problem for me at all.

On these types of planes it's great. On the jets you luggage is checked to your final destination where it goes to baggage claim. Exceptions are made for strollers and wheelchairs, but gate checked luggage goes with the checked luggage.

Also, in my expereince, this is the luggage MOST likely to miss the plane!

 

[VAN]

There is really plenty of room for everyone with carry-on's if they follow the rules.

Put your 22" in the overhead, wheels FIRST! Any other "personal" items go under the seat.

How many times have I seen people put their 22" sideways, then up goes the coat and the computer bag ... then they close the overhead. They have effectively taken up the room designated for 3 cases with just one passengers carry-on.

The best scenerio is when the flight crew enforces and announces that only one carry-on goes in the overhead making sure that they are in wheels first ... AND that no coats, etc be placed up there until everyone is on board!! I have occasionally seen this and there ends up being plenty of room for everyone!

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Question about powdered make-up. That is not a liquid or gel. I always take "stick" style deorderant as well as they doesn't need to be in the "liquids" bag. Liquids or gel in the zip-lock bag ... solids are allowed outside of zip-lock.

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When in doubt about luggage requirements, check the airline website.

 

[CarolA]

And check to make sure the door closes. On my 22" if I put it in the "announced way" wheels first, then the door won't close. IF I put it in handle first it shuts just fine. (Not a clue why, but there you have it LOL!)

 

[snowbunny]

On these types of planes it's great. On the jets you luggage is checked to your final destination where it goes to baggage claim. Exceptions are made for strollers and wheelchairs, but gate checked luggage goes with the checked luggage.

Also, in my expereince, this is the luggage MOST likely to miss the plane!

Gah...another good reason to sit in the back half of the plane. Get on first, my choice of empty overhead bins, sit down and get out of the way. I don't really understand the obsession some people have with sitting in the first couple of rows.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, your choice of empty overhead bins in the vicinity of your seat, yeah.

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

I will be traveling with my 2 yr old son, and I really need to bring his stroller it has a compartment for my keys, cup holder for me and him a place for storage it has the works, I will be flying on US Air, i have seen people in air ports with similar strollers what are the guide lines, I dont want to rent a stroller because this one has everything I need it lets back when he is sleepy and this is what he and I are use to, what do I need to do, will I be able to bring it and where will I put it when I get on the plan, I know there is a little coat closet when you first get on the plane, I am not sure please help, I will need this because we have layovers,I really dont want to be running all over the place with him in the airports.