Carryon Help

[Bibbidi]

I haven't flown in 10 years, but we booked our tickets on Delta for our upcoming Sept. Trip. Since it's been so long, I'm a little unclear about the carry-on rules. Delta indicates that you can take one personal item (i.e. purse, diaper bag, briefcase, camera bag) and one carry-on bag that doesn't exceed 45 inches. My question is in regard to the personal item. Can my kids each take a backpack as their personal item, and then consider their LLBean duffle bags (that meets the 45 inch requirement) as their carry-on item? Or would Delta consider a backpack their "carry-on", meaning we'd have to check the duffle, even though it would meet the size requirements?

I think with the stuff we're packing, since my DDs will only be 10 and 8, that we could fit everything for them in their backpacks/duffles without needing to check (and pay for) bags. That is my goal anyway

 

[swilshire]

A small backpack, purse or computer bag all qualify as a personal item. I sometimes use a backpack and put my purse inside it just to have the extra space for a jacket or whatever. I do the same with my computer bag, which is on the largish side.

Sheila

 

[sissy_ib]

I use this rule of thumb. A carry-on goes in the overhead compartment, personal item under the seat. So as long as the backpack fits under the seat you'll be fine. I always bring a backpack and place it under the seat so your kids should be fine.

 

[lmillercrew]

I agree with pp. The backpack is the personal item and a carry on is a carry on. My DH takes his briefcase and a carry on. Have fun!

 

[kfeuer]

One thing you might want to consider is that it gets very tiresome lugging a bunch of carry-ons if they don't have wheels, especially if you have connecting flights and big airports to contend with.

I just flew alone with my 8 and 10 year olds and their carry-ons had shoulder straps but no wheels--big mistake! Their bags were too heavy for them to carry for very long so I was extremely weighed down and it was a nightmare trying to get on and off the planes. It would have been easier if my DH had been along, but even so I'm going to make sure their carry-ons have wheels that go in all directions (so that they can push them down the aisles of the airplane) before we fly again.

Backpacks work great for kids, though. They're used to wearing them for school so it's not a burden.

Have a great trip!

 

[Bibbidi]

One thing you might want to consider is that it gets very tiresome lugging a bunch of carry-ons if they don't have wheels, especially if you have connecting flights and big airports to contend with.

I just flew alone with my 8 and 10 year olds and their carry-ons had shoulder straps but no wheels--big mistake! Their bags were too heavy for them to carry for very long so I was extremely weighed down and it was a nightmare trying to get on and off the planes. It would have been easier if my DH had been along, but even so I'm going to make sure their carry-ons have wheels that go in all directions (so that they can push them down the aisles of the airplane) before we fly again.

Backpacks work great for kids, though. They're used to wearing them for school so it's not a burden.

Have a great trip!

Thanks everyone for your responses. Sounds like we'll be all set with backpacks.

You raise a good point about bags with wheels. We are on direct flights both ways and our home airport (at least) is not that large. Both my DH and my carry-on have wheels---so I think we'll just strap their duffles on top of our carryons and pull them that way. The kids can easily lug their backpacks

 

[ntink]

don't forget that you are limited to the amount of liquids (hair products, shave cream, sunscreen) you can put in your carryon. Up to 3oz each and must fit in a small clear zip top baggie. You might be ok though since you can bring 1 for each person.

 

[andymattmom]

Just a warning---- we just flew Delta for spring break.
One flight between PHX and SLC was a smaller plane and they 'valet' gate checked most carry-on bags since there wasn't enough overhead room. No biggie because we knew ahead and stuck everything we thought we might want for 1.5 hours in bag that fit under seat in front of us.

From SLC to IND the flight was PACKED! They asked for voluntary gate check of carry-on bags and warned if not enough people did then they would do 'involuntary' gate check of carry-on. There are so many people who have bags that are HUGE and take up so much carry on space. Thankfully enough people volunteered so it was fine. We would have been fine if we had to 'involuntarily' check our bag.

I'd just make sure you have one or two bags that you could quickly put stuff in that could go under seat in front of you ...JUST IN CASE. That is the way we travel. My boys will take the under armour bags that the high school kids carry p.e. stuff in, I have a carry-on that goes under seat in front of me that ends up having lots of everyone elses stuff and the 'snacks'. Hubby will have electronics carry-on which we can gate check if needed (we take out things and leave cords, chargers, etc in).

Good luck and have fun---just be prepared that flights are full, people don't want to pay baggage fees, overhead space is limited and at a premium so they might make you gate check a carry-on. Just have one or two that go under seat in just in case!

 

[maxiesmom]

Just a warning---- we just flew Delta for spring break.
One flight between PHX and SLC was a smaller plane and they 'valet' gate checked most carry-on bags since there wasn't enough overhead room. No biggie because we knew ahead and stuck everything we thought we might want for 1.5 hours in bag that fit under seat in front of us.

From SLC to IND the flight was PACKED! They asked for voluntary gate check of carry-on bags and warned if not enough people did then they would do 'involuntary' gate check of carry-on. There are so many people who have bags that are HUGE and take up so much carry on space. Thankfully enough people volunteered so it was fine. We would have been fine if we had to 'involuntarily' check our bag.

I'd just make sure you have one or two bags that you could quickly put stuff in that could go under seat in front of you ...JUST IN CASE. That is the way we travel. My boys will take the under armour bags that the high school kids carry p.e. stuff in, I have a carry-on that goes under seat in front of me that ends up having lots of everyone elses stuff and the 'snacks'. Hubby will have electronics carry-on which we can gate check if needed (we take out things and leave cords, chargers, etc in).

Good luck and have fun---just be prepared that flights are full, people don't want to pay baggage fees, overhead space is limited and at a premium so they might make you gate check a carry-on. Just have one or two that go under seat in just in case!

Excellent advice!!!!

 

[Dizneydaz]

I too put my purse inside another travel bag to save one bag. I've never had a problem with it, and we have flown several different airlines inc. Delta. Also put my cameras inside as well.

 

[Bibbidi]

Just a warning---- we just flew Delta for spring break.
One flight between PHX and SLC was a smaller plane and they 'valet' gate checked most carry-on bags since there wasn't enough overhead room. No biggie because we knew ahead and stuck everything we thought we might want for 1.5 hours in bag that fit under seat in front of us.

From SLC to IND the flight was PACKED! They asked for voluntary gate check of carry-on bags and warned if not enough people did then they would do 'involuntary' gate check of carry-on. There are so many people who have bags that are HUGE and take up so much carry on space. Thankfully enough people volunteered so it was fine. We would have been fine if we had to 'involuntarily' check our bag.

I'd just make sure you have one or two bags that you could quickly put stuff in that could go under seat in front of you ...JUST IN CASE. That is the way we travel. My boys will take the under armour bags that the high school kids carry p.e. stuff in, I have a carry-on that goes under seat in front of me that ends up having lots of everyone elses stuff and the 'snacks'. Hubby will have electronics carry-on which we can gate check if needed (we take out things and leave cords, chargers, etc in).

Good luck and have fun---just be prepared that flights are full, people don't want to pay baggage fees, overhead space is limited and at a premium so they might make you gate check a carry-on. Just have one or two that go under seat in just in case!

Thank you for all the tips everyone! Great advice on the Dis as always.