Carry-ons

[BeckWhy]

if you don't have a purse, does a backpack still count as a carry-on?


(I have never had my backpack count as a carry-on, because it could be stored underneath the seat, but if rules of the planes have changed, it might be different. I also plan on bringing a rolling suitcase that is sized for a carryon.)

 

[n2mm]

The last thing I read was that a small back pack is considered a personal item. I use a back pack instead of a purse while in WDW too.

 

[DebbieB]

I don't know about other airlines, but USAirways limits your "personal item" to overall dimensions of 36 inches (w + h or w+h+depth?).

>>Carry-on baggage is limited to one piece per customer, plus a personal item such as a purse, briefcase, laptop, small backpack, diaper bag or camera case. The personal item cannot exceed total overall dimensions of 36 inches, and the other item of baggage cannot exceed the following maximum dimensions:

Overhead Stowage--10x16x24
Underseat Stowage--8x16x21 <<

If I carry my laptop, I stash my purse into my carryon.

 

[mom_rules]

Check with your airline. Air Canada allowed us two carryons and a personal. I had a roller suitcase, a backpack and a largish handbag. No problems. DD had the same.

 

[BeckWhy]

DebbieB: LOL! That's interesting, because last year when I flew USAir, I had a big backpack and a Messanger bag as carryons. (Maybe that just goes to show how they don't really check anything!)

 

[DebbieB]

When we flew USAir last month, I noticed there were some carry-on size bags at the end of the jetway for gate check. The bins were not full yet, they were still boarding the front rows. They looked within regulation size. My guess is they busted some people with too many carryons, it was a full flight.

 

[Lewisc]

Southwest will make people gate check carryon bags once the overhead bins are full. They announce no more roller bags and take the bags from you before you board.

 

[loriace1]

What do we do with a garment bag? We're going in two weeks for my sons wedding and would sure hate to pack my 5 year old twins flower girl dresses in a suitcase. Does a garment bag just get checked as luggage though? Thanks

 

[alexturner74]

A garment bag can be taken in the cabin with you, but will count as your 1 carry-on. There is usually a closet up front that the flight attendants can hang it for you, or just fold it up and put it in the overhead.

 

[prncess674]

I travel every week with a 22" rollaboard suitcase and a back pack. Within the last 3 months I have done this on American, Northwest, Southwest and Continental Airlines. They count the backpack as a personal item. On several occasions I still had my very small purse out and the TSA security agent would tell me I was over the carry on limit. I just hadn't had time to put in the backpack. I find it amusing that I can walk through with a large-ish backpack and a rolling suitcase but they go beserk saying I am over the carryon limit because of a very small purse (nothing hardly more than a wallet on strap).

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by loriace1
What do we do with a garment bag? We're going in two weeks for my sons wedding and would sure hate to pack my 5 year old twins flower girl dresses in a suitcase. Does a garment bag just get checked as luggage though? Thanks

Personally, I would not check a garment bag with the FG dresses, especially if the garment bag was one of the flimsy very smushy ones. Two FG dresses are pretty small. What I would do is leave a dry cleaning type bag over each dress then gently accordian fold the dress into a small suitcase alone and check the suitcase with the other luggage. The dry cleaning bag will prevent wrinkles and the sturdier bag will protect the dress from being crushed. You can then pack your souvenirs in the bag on the way home. Bringing them on board isn't a great idea either because people will smash more stuff than you could ever imagine in the overhead bin.

 

[loriace1]

Wonderful suggestion! Thanks so much!

 

[AspiringCindy]

In December, DH and I are traveling with 3DDs to WDW. Because we are only going for 4 days, I thought it might be easier to just pack 3 carryons and no luggage to check in. Does this type of activity concern airlines(because of no luggage)? I just feel it will be faster for our family to get on and off the plane!

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by AspiringCindy
In December, DH and I are traveling with 3DDs to WDW. Because we are only going for 4 days, I thought it might be easier to just pack 3 carryons and no luggage to check in. Does this type of activity concern airlines(because of no luggage)? I just feel it will be faster for our family to get on and off the plane!

Cindy,

Thats the only way we travel(carry ons only). We are usually off the plane and in our rental car(National Emarald Isle) before other passengers even get there checked luggage at the carousel. Once the plane touches down at Orlando airport, we are on our way to WDW within 10 minutes.

 

[CarolA]

I have heard that no checked luggage is one of the triggers for the TSA, but I travel quite often to Atlanta from Nashville on one night trips with just a carry on and never get searched so who knows.

One way tickets are a trigger since when I do that I routinely get searched.

Do keep in mind that on ALL airlines once the overheads are full, the carryons are subject to being checked if they will NOT fit under your seat.

Also, for women like me traveling alone be sure you can LIFT the overhead into the bin. Do not assume a man or flight attendant will help you. A lot of business travelers have just had enough and will not do it anymore. (One too many 50 lb suitcase) I was on a flight recently where a woman near me asked to put her roll aboard suitcase in the closet. When told there was no closet she said, "where am I suppose to put this, I have shoulder problems and can't lift it." The flight attendant volunteered to CHECK it and suddenly she was able to lift it in the overhead.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by AspiringCindy
In December, DH and I are traveling with 3DDs to WDW. Because we are only going for 4 days, I thought it might be easier to just pack 3 carryons and no luggage to check in. Does this type of activity concern airlines(because of no luggage)? I just feel it will be faster for our family to get on and off the plane!

No. Checking no luggage is not a security concern. Most people who travel weekly for work NEVER check luggage. The extra security line would be a mile long if everyone who didn't check luggage was screened for additional security. However having 3 carryons for 5 people might be a stretch as far as space. Are your DD's old enough to carry there own things? You may catch flack from the TSA's at security if one of the adults is rolling two rollaboard bags.

 

[Lewisc]

Don't believe what every comedian tells you. Lugage doesn't really get lost that much. You shouldn't have to wait more than 10-15 minutes for your luggage. It's a lot easier to check your luggage than trying to move through the airport with 3 kids, 3 suitcases, purse...

If the flight is full they may make you gate check the bags.

Originally posted by AspiringCindy
In December, DH and I are traveling with 3DDs to WDW. Because we are only going for 4 days, I thought it might be easier to just pack 3 carryons and no luggage to check in. Does this type of activity concern airlines(because of no luggage)? I just feel it will be faster for our family to get on and off the plane!

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Lewisc
Don't believe what every comedian tells you. Lugage doesn't really get lost that much. You shouldn't have to wait more than 10-15 minutes for your luggage.

Yes it does............We had this happened twice.

Pittsburgh to Orlando checked luggage(direct non-stop flight), 1st flight out at 8:00 am....
went to pick up our "checked luggage"..........wasn't there.
This caused us to always do carry on only on the way down,not take any chances. On the way back we check our luggage.

 

[LvsTnk]

I can't help it, I pack a very small bag with essentials. My kids also know to pack swimsuits, extra t-shirt, and undies and socks in their back packs. On the way back I could care less.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by LvsTnk
I can't help it, I pack a very small bag with essentials. My kids also know to pack swimsuits, extra t-shirt, and undies and socks in their back packs. On the way back I could care less.

Packing a carry on with essentials is always a good idea, even if you just have one essentials carry on for the entire family. Pack each person a change of clothes and a swimsuit. Since you will have the essentials all in one place you won't be searching through all the bags looking for various items. this is especially nice if you plan on hitting the parks or the pool shortly after arriving at your hotel.

Most luggage if lost is found and delivered within 24 hours, so if you have your essentials bag it is not a stress on vacation. My luggage has been delayed on a few occasions but because I had my essentials with me it hasn't been a problem. Another good tip is to mix the family's clothes into the different bags so if one piece of luggage is lost it will have a little of everyone's not just one persons stuff. When you check your luggage verify that each piece is tagged to you destination and not just your connecting city. If you going to Orlando it should say MCO. Each piece should also have your complete name as it appears on your ticket (First Name Last Name) and I now clearly lable my mobile number so that they have a way of reaching me. Listing a home phone number does you no good if there is no one home. Kinkos will make laminated tags for about a dollar and is totally worth it. Using the free flimsy tags the airlines issue is a recipe for disaster. Inside each piece of checked luggage on the top of all your stuff lay a copy of your hotel info and contact info.