Check luggage or all carryon for 2 adults

[luvchoclabs]

My DH and I have an anniversary trip planned for 4 nights in June staying at the Dolphin. We got a good airfare deal through travelocity and USAir, but we have to change planes in Charlotte on the way down and then again on the way back. We have always had straight flights before. I am a little anxious about our luggage getting lost on the way down. I would love to hear about others experiences good and bad w/ this. We could manage w/ 2 carry-ons but it would be tough. What would you do?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by luvchoclabs
My DH and I have an anniversary trip planned for 4 nights in June staying at the Dolphin. We got a good airfare deal through travelocity and USAir, but we have to change planes in Charlotte on the way down and then again on the way back. We have always had straight flights before. I am a little anxious about our luggage getting lost on the way down. I would love to hear about others experiences good and bad w/ this. We could manage w/ 2 carry-ons but it would be tough. What would you do?

I would check the luggage.

 

[safetymom]

Check the luggage. Luggage doesn't get lost as often as it seems here on the DIS.

 

[hercamore]

Airlines use the bar code tags now. Much less chance of lost luggage.

We have connections every time we fly cuz we leave from a small airport. Haven't lost one yet.

Just keep your essentials in a small carryon.

herc.

 

[drogerstn]

I would take one carry-on which would contain at least a change of clothes for both of us, bathing suits, and bathroom items. I've had my baggage lost or delayed on several occasions, including on a non-stop flight.

 

[CarolynK]

Originally posted by safetymom
Check the luggage. Luggage doesn't get lost as often as it seems here on the DIS.

When did DIS begin operating flights?

Actually, I vote for carry-on. Pack light and carry on.

 

[safetymom]

Pack light and carry on.

Those two things don't go together. I am a very frequent flyer and you very rarely ever see someone pack lightly and carry on.

There was someone on a plane the other day that wanted to move everyones carry on from the overhead bin above his seat. He thought it was his space. The flight attendant had to stop him. More and more people are bringing more and more on the plane.

That is why there is a baggage compartment in the belly of the plane.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by safetymom
Those two things don't go together. I am a very frequent flyer and you very rarely ever see someone pack lightly and carry on.

There was someone on a plane the other day that wanted to move everyones carry on from the overhead bin above his seat. He thought it was his space. The flight attendant had to stop him. More and more people are bringing more and more on the plane.

That is why there is a baggage compartment in the belly of the plane.

Packing lightly and carry on is an oxymoron.

 

[paladin]

I have a small suitcase that is carry on size but I usually check it anyway. It's so much easier than having to take it everywhere with you in the airport, especially if you end up with time to kill or a long walk between gates. It is also getting harder and harder to get overhead space as everyone brings so much carry on. Do carry on any medications and valuables. By the way, I have been flying for over thirty years and have only had baggage "issues" twice - both times the bags were delayed (not lost - delivered later the same day).

 

[CarolynK]

Originally posted by safetymom
Those two things don't go together. I am a very frequent flyer and you very rarely ever see someone pack lightly and carry on.

There was someone on a plane the other day that wanted to move everyones carry on from the overhead bin above his seat. He thought it was his space. The flight attendant had to stop him. More and more people are bringing more and more on the plane.

That is why there is a baggage compartment in the belly of the plane.

Packing lightly is what I do. The four of us travel with 2 rolling carry-ons and two smaller bags. Two go by our feet, two go up.

I was responding to the OP because I felt that 2 adults traveling for only 4 days can probably get by on 2 carry-ons

 

[jwill]

I am not a light packer but if I could get everything in a carryon I would do that rather than have to check it and wait for my bag at the baggage carousel plus the chance of it getting lost.

With that said, I have done both in the past and have never had anything lost(knock on wood). I guess it's just really a preference.

 

[DebbieB]

Those wheeled carryon's can be a pain. On our return flight a couple of weeks ago, a girl was trying to stuff one in the overhead. She had packed it so full and had stuff in the outside pocket, there's no way it would fit. A FA had to get a bag for her to empty some stuff out so that it would fit. They should have made her gate check it.

 

[Lewisc]

My last trip to Orlando my luggage got to baggage claim before me. I didn't make any stops and walked at a normal pace.

The problems with checked luggage are GREATLY overstated. Much easier to check luggage rather than cart it through the airport. Just pack a carryon with medicine, bathing suit and casual clothing(if you're going down wearing business or cold weather clothing). You're more likely to need it because your hotel room isn't ready than because of lost luggage.

 

[prncess674]

Carry on a change of clothes, bathing suite and your toiletry items everything else can be checked. If you are on the last flight of the day I may be a little concerned but as long as there another flight that they can put your luggage on if it were to misconnect then don't worry about it. The last time my luggage missed the flight they put it on the next flight and delivered it to me at the hotel. Charlotte is a hub for US Air and they have sophisticated baggage handling system (the barcodes) that will route your luggage to the appropriate connection. How long is your connection in Charlotte?

 

[mgilmer]

I have done both and I vote for carryon. I like carryon for the following reasons;

1. I like to know where my stuff is
2. I don't like the idea of my stuff being searched outside my presence
3. I can limit the amount of junk my child wants to bring back home due to lack of space
4. I can limit the amount of junk my wife and child want to take because of limited space
   [/list=1]
   
   But then again, that is just me.
   
   Mike

 

[drogerstn]

We could manage w/ 2 carry-ons but it would be tough. What would you do?

My initial response was that I would carry on one bag because I was thinking that it would be tough to fit 4 days of clothes for two people into two carry-on bags. Four days may not require a lot of clothes unless you add extra shoes (i.e. running shoes and dress shoes), dress clothes, and cold-weather clothes. If you plan to take one carry-on and two will handle everything, then you might as well take two.

If we could fit everything easily into two, official size, carry-on bags, I’d do that. Traveling with a roller-type carry-on bag is very little hassle and it beats worrying about checked bags and waiting at the baggage claim area.

If you decide to carry on two bags or even just one for the both of you, some people on this board may accuse you of taking over-size bags, hitting people in the head, running over people or tripping them with your roller bag, delaying other passengers during offload, taking the first available storage bin when your seats are farther aft, blah, blah, blah…..

 

[safetymom]

This board is for the sharing of ideas and opinions. When questions are posted not everyone will have the same answer. If you don't want to hear differing opinions don't post the question. It is just that simple.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

We do carry-ons 98% of the time. Less of a chance of any problems. We are 2 adults traveling most of the time.

We decided to check our luggage on our return from a cruise(Feb). We had a direct flight MCO to Pittsburgh on US AIR............and guess what........luggage was lost.

Thats why we NEVER check luggage on way down to Florida. I would rather be safe than SORRY.