Carry-on vs. Checked luggage???

[NorthernON_MOM]

We had been planning to take a Roller carry-on for each of myself, dh and our 2 boys (6 and 8). I have been able to fit everything in it, but am unsure if we'll have enough room for souvenirs. Anyway, what do most people usually take for luggage. We also have one really big suitcase we could take too as checked luggage, but we were hoping to avoid checking our luggage. thanks.

 

[Cruisin]

If you will read my tag you will see what our theory is on checking luggage.

We have not checked any luggage in a very long time.

Most airlines allow you one carry on bag, such as your roller bags and one "personal" item. A personal item can be a purse, a laptop computer or even a small tote bag or backpack.

You could get a small collapsable bag and put it inside one your roller bags to use later if needed, or just have someone/everyone carry a small personal item on with them. The kids could use it to put their books, discman etc in for the plane ride amusement.

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[Lynn CC]

We each take the largest carry-on allowed by the airline. If you roll your clothes and stack them that way you can fit a lot more in, and they don't wrinkle. Then I take another small bag with camera equiptment. And another with disposable toiletries or half used ones that I can throw away before coming home which leaves a bag for Souvenirs. I take an extra large pocket book too! It's great not having to wait for luggage, especially at Logan!

 

[ILUVDXL]

Well, I'm of the opposite opinion. I 'd even check my handbag if I didn't need it for tickets, etc. I won't go into my reasons, because people will probably think I'm flaming them, but I have some very definate and stong opinions on carry-on luggage which I think most people wouldn't much like.

 

[mommytotwo]

We like to check in our luggage so that we don't have to hassel with it. Especially with having a young daughter it does make things easier and you can just go to the restroom while you wait for you luggage. We will be traveling and staying away for 17 days. We are taking two big suitcases, a ice chest so that we can bring perishable gifts for my BIL then using it on our trip for drinks and such. And will be bringing a big duffle bag. We are planning on buying alot of souveniors and gifts for family and friends, so hopefully everything will fit inside.

If you do find that you need more room for souveniors, you can always buy a bag from somewhere or you can tuck a duffle bag in your suitcase for those just in case moments.

 

[goofy4tink]

We used to always check our luggage. But, dd and I made a trip to WDW last Dec and managed to do it with carry-ons. Now, on a previous trip, I did end up buying way too much stuff and had to buy a Mickey duffel bag to cart the stuff home in. But if I take out the hard piece that makes up the bottom, I can fold it up in my carry-on bag. Then, if I need it, I have it. Yes, I would have to check it for the return trip, but somehow that doesn't seem to bother us.

This August, dh, dd, and I are going to try to do it all with just large carry-ons. Won't be buying very much, so it shouldn't be a problem. But, with staying in a studio at BWV, I'll have a long walk to the laundry facilities I'm sure.

 

[helenabear]

I have to admit it depends on which flight I am on. Going to Florida, I take my "park bag" and my laptop on the plane and nothing else. I don't bother with a carry on usually because they don't fit in the tiny Embrear jets I fly on.

When I go to Chicago, I sometimes run into the same thing so I will just check everything but my purse and laptop. Otherwise if I am on a larger jet, I will do a carry on only. I have been known to make week long trips on a carry on and a purse. I think I hope to do the same at least going out to LA this summer. It will be harder to do since my laptop counts as one carry on, but I will certainly try

 

[lilboo]

Originally posted by ILUVDXL
I won't go into my reasons, because people will probably think I'm flaming them, but I have some very definate and stong opinions on carry-on luggage which I think most people wouldn't much like.

I am completely reading your mind ILUVDXL.

A former "carry-on" traveler, now I check in everything I can...only the absolute essentials come aboard with me.

Having said that...have we already suggested the expandable duffles? You can carry-on the duffle going, and on your return trip, expand if necessary. YOu'll have to check it in but it'll save you shipping costs-which is another option...

...You can always ship "overflow" souvenirs. Happy shopping.

 

[helenabear]

Okay I just read Kath & Ms. Boo's post... now I wonder what I am doing to offend

You know I'd never flame either of you if one of you wnats to PM me with the info

I admit though I will *NEVER* check my laptop no matter how it bugs people... that thing is my life

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Originally posted by ILUVDXL
Well, I'm of the opposite opinion. I 'd even check my handbag if I didn't need it for tickets, etc. I won't go into my reasons, because people will probably think I'm flaming them, but I have some very definate and stong opinions on carry-on luggage which I think most people wouldn't much like.

I agree - if the trade off was to wait for baggage versus waiting for everyone to SAFELY stow their carryon items.......well you know which one I'd pick!

It's so nice to walk on the plane and sit down - not having to stress about finding room to put your carryon, less room with the seat under you, and NorthernON_MOM remember you'll have to take care of your kids carryon's while boarding......

My advise after years and years of flying - check the bags. It'll be easier for you and your family. You'll have more room for the items you purchase. If you are worried about losing your bags, the odds are in your favor that they'll be OK.

Have a great trip!

 

[KristaTX]

I'm just curious - Why do some of you not like to check any luggage? Have you had a bad experience?
I usually check a suitcase and carry my purse and a small carry-on with me. Personally, I'd much rather do that than try to cram everything into a smaller bag, take it through security, and try to stash it in an overhead bin on the plane. Plus, at MCO, I like to wander around in the shops while I wait for my departure flight. And I always seem to be one of the people who has to have my bags searched at the gate security. The less I am carrying with me, the easier it all seems to be.

 

[CEDmom]

For us the less carry on we have the better. Just with DD's stroller and carseat we're overloaded. I think for a single traveler on a short trip carry on only may be a good way to go but for a family I think it's more of a hassle. Remember, it can be a long way from checkin through security and to your gate. Plus the more you have the greater chance that something will have to be searched. That's not fun, trust me. Chances are you won't be able to put your luggage together in the overhead bins so that alone will hold up your deboarding.

 

[goofy4tink]

For me it's not a fear of having my luggage lost...I just hate the time and aggravation of waiting for it to get to the claim area.
It can take up to 30 minutes to get there and I've never waited less than 15. People pushing and shoving me. Nope, I just don't like it.
This all being said, tho.....when I have used just carry-on, I have quickly stowed it away. I don't stand in the aisles, clogging them up while I dither around. Some do. Okay...most do. Same goes for when we disembark. I usually wait for the majority of folks to go past me. Then I pull my stuff down. It takes me about 20 seconds to put my bags overhead. However, I can't speak for others. And I do have a 6'4" dh who is quite helpful.

 

[CarolA]

I am not sure how you get away with all of this

We each take the largest carry-on allowed by the airline. If you roll your clothes and stack them that way you can fit a lot more in, and they don't wrinkle. Then I take another small bag with camera equiptment. And another with disposable toiletries or half used ones that I can throw away before coming home which leaves a bag for Souvenirs. I take an extra large pocket book too! It's great not having to wait for luggage, especially at Logan!

That sounds like one person had THREE bags. The limit is ONE bag and one personal item.

Here are a few things to consider.

1. The LARGEST carryon you can have is generally a 22". The outside pockets should be empty and the bag should NOT be expanded. If it is stuffed to the gills and fully expanded, check it!

2. Do NOT assume that I or any other passenger or Flight Attendant is waiting with joy to assit you in lugging said suitcase into the overhead. If you can't get it up there check it! I saw an elderly woman who could barely walk with one of these, who does she think is going to do it for her? It is not that we are rude, we are just tired of having back problems from your lead weights!

3. If the plane is full and you are a late boarder surrender gracefully, yep your luggage is going under the plane. Yelling about it does NO one any good.

4. If you have two pieces ONE of them goes at your feet. Share the overhead!

5. If you have to put your luggage in an overhead behind you, it is not acceptable to trample other passengers to get back to it. Wait for a break in the departure traffic and go back to get it. Do not ask 10 passengers to pass it over thier heads to you!

6. If you show up with three bags, excessively large bags be prepared. Manners have gone out the window and people will say stuff. (As a matter of fact, I blurted out "That is a carry on" just the other day. I did not mean to be rude, but amazement got the better of me with the attempt to carryon a fully stuffed 26" roller board. I was right, it was NOT carry on)

 

[Grog]

A former "carry-on" traveler, now I check in everything I can...only the absolute essentials come aboard with me

I used to carry-on whenever possible, but got tired of fighting for bin space with the inevitable person trying to cram a bag the size of Rhode Island into the overhead. I don't know how some people get away with bringing large bags on to the plane. I check everything and carry-on a small bag big enough for perhaps a book, a bottle of water, cell phone, etc. That bag goes at my feet.

 

[helenabear]

Karen, the reason why I don't like to check is not anything but a matter of saving time. In some cases I like to walk out and go and not deal with checked baggage. Usually that only matters going to my destination and not coming home. That's why I would like to make it out to LA with carry on only... I am the last of the group to arrive and some are waiting for me... so I hope to save time and not check. Going home, I will be very happy to check everything (save the laptop and camera I will have, and I hope that makes sense) since I am not worried about timing. It used to be because I was worried about lost baggage but with 80% of my flights being totally direct now, I don't think of that so much.

Trust me though, even being a shorty, I have no problem flinging my bags up in the compartment, nor getting it down... I move quick for a short thing so hopefully I move quick enough not to bother others

 

[Disney Doll]

Whether I do all carry on or checked luggage depends on the length of the trip, in general. If it's a longer trip, I am not going to try and squash extra clothes into a carry on...it's easier for me to just pack a bigger suitcase. If it's a short trip, then I can do a carry-on.

I don't mind waiting for the luggage because I go to the end of the luggage carousel that is right before it goes back into the back. Everyone is crammed near the part where it comes out, so I have lots of room, plus the luggage does get to me eventually!

 

[ohanafamily]

With us, we generally do carry on in a short trip. We hate the wait at the baggage claim.

Generally to WDW we do check a bag, but our dragons and laptop come as carry-on. I'm sorry our kids will not fly "Last Class"

We once flew to a formal wedding in a foreign country with a roller board, a hanging bag and 2 back-packs We were there for a whole week, and were just fine. On the way back we had to check the duffel bag with all of the souvenirs.

Also, with the new regulations some items have to be checked.

Again, if it is a short trip, then we don't want to waste the time with checking bags.

 

[DebbieB]

I went to Orlando on a 2 night business trip in November (well the first night I stayed at CBR, it was a Sunday), I brought a carryon size garment bag. I was sorry I carried in on. I had a hard time getting it up in the overhead plus I had alot of time to kill in the Orlando airport when returning and it was a pain dragging it around.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

When flying back and forth between home and school I generally check a large bag and then carry on a duffle bag and my backpack (Which holds my laptop computer). If i could I would have it just be the large checked bag but with all my books it makes it difficult.

When I fly home in May for the summer I will most likely have 2 checked bags and the duffle bag and the backpack...There is a possibility I may have to pay to have 3 bags checked

When i am flying somewhere for the weekend like i did for DISCON it was a duffle bag and a backpack.