Does size matter?

[mommyto3]

A few weeks ago I bought all new luggage. There are six in our party and I didn't want a lot of luggage to deal with so I bought three of the biggest pieces of luggage I could find. A litttle background...two adults, four children, and nine days.

Well, last night I was on the Delta web site trying to find out if a carry-on is still allowed. I come across a page that talks about luggage limits, ect. I knew there was a weight limit, but it also said there was SIZE limits. What?????? I have never heard of this before. I know they weigh your luggage, but I have never seen any agent break out a measuring tape to measure your luggage.

So in my panic state, I get our new luggage out and start to measure it. (My husband thinks I have totally lost it. I could tell by the tone in his voice when he said, "WHAT are you doing now?") Anyway, guess what? My luggage is bigger than their measurements.

Now what? Should I return the luggage and look for something smaller? Has anyone ever had the size of their luggage questioned?

To all who can help me.....thank you!!!!

 

[GEM]

A lot of times they have these little sizing bins that you have to put your carry-on in before you get on the plane. If you carry-on doesn't fit in the sizer, they make you gate check it. Of course, a lot of times they just ignore it and you are never asked to try and put it in the sizer. They might be getting stricter now, though. I have been asked to put mine in the sizer a few times, though, when they thought it might be too big.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

what size is the one you have? for the carry on that is!

 

[mommyto3]

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear enough about what I was asking. My checked baggage will be bigger than Delta's size limit, not my carry-on.

Height + Length + Width cannot equal more than 62". My luggage is 71" each.

 

[flyingcircus]

I would call Delta, and see what the "excess baggage charges" are. I think if it is over the height requirement, they may or may not charge you. At least you could get an idea of how much it will cost.

A lot of times a airport ticket agent will not charge you extra, but it's hit or miss. They Are within their rights to charge.


IMPORTANT: You will almost ALWAYS have to bag excess baggage charges for over limit/over weight bags that fly internationally!!!

 

[Lewisc]

I'd return the bags. Even if Delta works with you future trips may be a problem. Some of the large bags can be trouble to get in the trunk of your car and may be too heavy to carry from your home to your car.

 

[Chuck S]

Those bags must be huge! I thought for sure my luggage was oversized, but it measures out at 59 inches. I can get enough clothes in mine for 10 days (assuming I can get 2 days out of each pair of pants or shorts). If some of your kids are old enough why not get them some medium sized bags that will roll easily?

 

[mommyto3]

Here's an update:

I called Delta, and the charge would be $85 per bag. I think I will return them.

But let me rant for a few seconds......every person who has a bought ticket is allowed up to 3 checked baggage. So in my case, we are allowed 18 pieces of luggage. If I was allowed to use the ones I bought we would only have 3 suitcases. My beef is, so what if its 9" to big, it's still only 3 pieces for 6 people. If you do the math, we would be WAY under what is allowed for 6 people.

Okay, end of rant. Thanks to all who responded!

 

[Lewisc]

I'd blame the luggage company, they really should let you know the bags may be too big to check. The airlines don't want bags so big and heavy that it takes 2 people to handle them. You're much better off with smaller bags.

 

[FergieTCat]

There's a size limit on items that can be checked?

You learn something new every day ...

Donna

 

[ducklite]

Not to be rude here, but how much stuff are you planning on taking? It sounds like you might really be over packing.

I'd like to offer a suggestion...everyone should have their own small carryon, and one piece of reasonably sized checked luggage. If you have more than that for a trip to WDW (unless you have special medical conditions or something along those lines) you are bringing wayyy too much!

Packing tips:

Take out what you need to bring, then put 30% of it away.

Coordinate everything, every shirt should match every bottom. You don't need a sweatshirt or polar fleece jacket for each day, one or two are enough for the entire trip. Leave out the bulky sweaters, bathrobes, etc.

If you are taking it because "You might need it", you won't--the only exception is one extra pair of socks per person, somehow those seem to always run short.

Coordinate so you need one pair of shoes and one pair of sandals and they match everything, and wear the shoes on the plane.

Once you have pared things down, lay everything out by "day". Now juggle things around so that everybody has some clothes in each suitcase. That way if one doesn't arrive with you, it doesn't matter, it will catch up to you and you'll still be able to function.

Don't pack your entire medicine cabinet--YES--they DO sell pain relievers and decongestants at WDW! (I usually bring a couple packets of Advil and a few tabs of Immodium)

Everyone's carryons should contain their toothbrushes and other important personal grooming supplies, as well as jewelry, meds, camera's laptops, etc.

Anne

 

[Lewisc]

ducklite
Mommyto3 (original poster) was trying to use 3 (huge) suitcases for 6 people. Another packing tip, there are coin operated washer dryers in almost every hotel/motel. Some people plan to use them. Although I pack enough so I don't have to use them if for some reason (rain or very hot days) I have to change clothes extra times I'd do wash. I wouldn't pack enough for 3 clothing changes a day.

 

[ducklite]

I also use the washers/dryers if it gets desperate. We own at DVC, and do use the w/d in the villa when staying there, that way we can pack even less and go home with clean clothes!

You should be able to pack everything for one person in a roll on sized suitcase. If it won't all fit in that, it's too much!

Anne

 

[CarolA]

I think these are huge, but I will admit I doubt that Delta will charge you the excess bag fee. They generally don't inforce the luggage size limits on domestic flights.

However, they will enforce weigh limits if they notice them. Sometimes there are scales where you set your luggage (they do this for international all the time) so they could see you are overweight (I think weight is per bag not per passanger). With the size luggage you have this could be a problem.

 

[d.kurz]

And not one comment on the humorousness of the title of this thread?? I could think of a couple of good jokes......

 

[skeezixspud]

... at least in terms of weight limits. I'd always wondered why we couldn't just combine the allowances as well, because we use one REALLY big rolling bag, almost a steamer trunk.

I've been informed that the reason that they do usually enforce the checked weight limits is so that the baggage handlers will not hurt themselves lifting the bags (if you ever watch them, they usually sling bags one-handed. If they tried that with ours they would probably fly into the hold right after it!)

 

[flyingcircus]

There are also weight restrictions on planes- if there is too much in the hold, either your suitcase goes off, or you do!! Also, people will be trying to check in huge items, instead of shipping them.

Internationally it is more important for weight restrictions, cuz the plane could have to make a fuel stop enroute if there is too much weight. I am sure they charge you, to deter you from bringing it in the 1st place!!

mommyto3- I have seen some of those bags too, and you think if they sell them they are approved. Not always the case- for example MOST of those rollerboard type suitcase are approved for airline use- NOT for carry on!! Also many pet kennels are approved to be down in the hold, but are too big to have under the seat on the plane. So this does happen- you ARE NOT ALONE

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.......................................................... Return the luggage. Let each person bring a normal size suitcase. We have been to WDW 7 and 10 days and have never checked baggage. You only need to bring four days worth of clothes no matter how long you stay. Some others say they don't want to do laundry. WRONG. And make the husband do it!! I do all our laundry at WDW. But guys, you need to be prepared. It takes two beers to wash and two beers to dry unless it is really cold!! For an added bonus, bring a suitcase to fold all the laundry and bring it back ready to put away, that's worth an extra beer!! Take the kids to the pool because they are heated to 84 degrees. Bring extra towels for the trip back. And the fact that mom gets a couple hours of peace and quiet, will make you the man, the man you used to be!!! Can I find one mom out there that thinks this a bad idea!! NOOOOOO!!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Disneydad,
Ah, a man after my own heart, he**, I would even buy the beer. LOL

 

[robinb]

Can I find one mom out there that thinks this a bad idea!! NOOOOOO!!!

No complaints here!

We usually stay in WDW for 10 days and we are experienced international travelers. I always plan on doing laundry at some time during the trip (let me tell you, laundry in Kyoto was a trip!). Sure, it takes some time out of your day, but the laundry is next to the pool at WDW resorts and, if you're lucky, the bar . FWIW, I pack ziplock bags full of a single load of powdered laundry soap and color safe 'bleach'. I also include 1 dryer sheet per load. Wisk and Tide tablets are now available in most of the country if you don't want to use 1 bag per load.

Now if I can only get my husband to do the laundry.