I have to pay how much for checked luggage?!?!?

[LuLuO]

Those fees do sound crazy, but I admit that I too like having the fees paid by the ones who pack everything and the kitchen sink and I'll stick with my one carry-on and my small purse. It is so nice not to have to wait in baggage claim and not to have to worry that my bags got lost.

I read a tip online a long time ago on a cruising website that said to lay out all of your clothes for your trip and then cut the lot in half, and then cut it in half again and that is all you need to bring. It works for us so that is what we do.

 

[LuLuO]

We have the AMEX card, and we checked 3 bags last week, we usually only check 2, because we could because they were free on Delta LOL! My biggest problem with the charging for the bags, that makes everyone try to carry everything on, and then the overheads are crammed full, people can't fit everything in, and then it takes forever to load and unload the plane while people mess around with their carryons.

I wish the airlines would enforce their rules on the size of carry-on luggage. Maybe they do now, I don't know, I haven't flows in a few years. It always ticked me off when someone would cram their huge oversized bag into the overhead and my compact, non-wheeled carry-on bag wouldn't fit.

 

[MEM]

I wish the airlines would enforce their rules on the size of carry-on luggage. Maybe they do now, I don't know, I haven't flows in a few years. It always ticked me off when someone would cram their huge oversized bag into the overhead and my compact, non-wheeled carry-on bag wouldn't fit.

As much as I love Southwest, they don't enforce the size of carry-on luggage. On my latest flight September 7th I saw some huuuuge carry-ons plus the people had shopping bags filled with stuff that they also crammed into the overhead bins.

 

[Ava]

I have a hint for toddler clothes. Put whole outfits in gallon sized ziplock bags and squeeze the air out. They take up even less room and you have the matching socks right there instead of having to dig for them.

I've heard that one before. Also helpful to easily carry an extra outfit into the parks in case of accidents/spills.

And Ava? I know you're on vacation, but chances are no matter where you stay they'll have laundry facilities. Pack LIGHT!

I'm definitely not opposed to doing laundry during the trip. With a 2-year-old it's inevitable that she'll go through more than 1 outfit a day at least a few days. I sent away for samples of those Purex 3-in-1 sheets that everyone raves about on here, & plan to take those with me in case we need to wash clothes.

 

[Minnesota!]

I have a hint for toddler clothes. Put whole outfits in gallon sized ziplock bags and squeeze the air out. They take up even less room and you have the matching socks right there instead of having to dig for them.

We do this too - even with our older son's clothes. A gallon sized bag will hold 2 outfits - one for each of my kids. So in the AM I grab one bag - they each get dressed using the outfit in the bag. then I throw another bag in my backpack so I have spare clothes for them in the parks in case they get soaked, super dirty, etc. I got all their clothes last trip into 1 carryon.

OP - you need to pack WAY lighter. We usaully have a carry on per person. 1 - DH and my clothes; 2 - the kids clothes; 3 - diapers, wipes; and 4 - stuff for the plane - snacks, coloring books, etc.

This year, we won't need #3 anymore - all PT here! So we will be down to 3 carryons for 4 people. (Plus my purse!)

 

[kaytieeldr]

I wish the airlines would enforce their rules on the size of carry-on luggage. Maybe they do now, I don't know, I haven't flows in a few years. It always ticked me off when someone would cram their huge oversized bag into the overhead and my compact, non-wheeled carry-on bag wouldn't fit.

Well, this is my rule for me only - but I don't carry on anything I can't lift over my head without assistance. Thus, my carry on luggage is restricted to one cross-body bag (purse/personal item) and one TravelOn underseat wedge-shaped roller bag that's designed to fit under the seat in front of me... and still leave room for the purse . It's large enough for what it needs to carry, but small enough that I can't fill it to a weight I can't lift.

 

[cassandrap83]

This is why we fly Southwest!

 

[zetachi]

So all of you that cram everything into one bag how do you avoid going over the weight limit? I know we fly Jet Blue and they give you one bag free up to 50lbs. They have now raised the 2nd bag from $20 last year to $30 this year. But that 2nd bag $30 is a lot less then the $50 for a 1lb overweight bag or $100 for a 21 lb overweight bag. I now have to weigh each and every bag before it leaves the house

 

[ccgirl]

Well, this is my rule for me only - but I don't carry on anything I can't lift over my head without assistance. Thus, my carry on luggage is restricted to one cross-body bag (purse/personal item) and one TravelOn underseat wedge-shaped roller bag that's designed to fit under the seat in front of me... and still leave room for the purse . It's large enough for what it needs to carry, but small enough that I can't fill it to a weight I can't lift.

That wedged shaped roller bag sounds very interesting. Do you happen to remember where you purchased it? I would love to look into one. Thanks.

 

[eliza61]

This is why we fly Southwest!

What do you do when southwest doesn't go where you want to go. I'm waiting for them to add Europe to their destination but if the choice is going to europe and paying baggage fees or staying home and only flying southwest. Well, I'll take Europe for $200

 

[bettymae1121]

What do you do when southwest doesn't go where you want to go. I'm waiting for them to add Europe to their destination but if the choice is going to europe and paying baggage fees or staying home and only flying southwest. Well, I'll take Europe for $200

Some airlines don't charge for the 1st checked bag to international destinations like Europe. Check the website for the airline(s) you're interested in for your Europe trip, you might be pleasently surprised!

 

[robinb]

So all of you that cram everything into one bag how do you avoid going over the weight limit? I know we fly Jet Blue and they give you one bag free up to 50lbs. They have now raised the 2nd bag from $20 last year to $30 this year. But that 2nd bag $30 is a lot less then the $50 for a 1lb overweight bag or $100 for a 21 lb overweight bag. I now have to weigh each and every bag before it leaves the house

The solution is to buy smaller bags. The days of traveling with steamer trunks is over! My BIGGEST bag (affectionately named "Big Red") is a 25" red TravelPro. I could STUFF it in full expando-mode and does not get close to 50 lbs.

 

[LuLuO]

So all of you that cram everything into one bag how do you avoid going over the weight limit? I know we fly Jet Blue and they give you one bag free up to 50lbs. They have now raised the 2nd bag from $20 last year to $30 this year. But that 2nd bag $30 is a lot less then the $50 for a 1lb overweight bag or $100 for a 21 lb overweight bag. I now have to weigh each and every bag before it leaves the house

I bought a bag from ebags a long time ago that has been fantastic. I just looked it up again and it is called the weekender etech.

I really don't have to cram everything into the one bag because I just don't travel with a lot and usually have room left in the bag. For warm weather I usually pack two t-shirts, one button up shirt, one pair of shorts, one pair of khaki pants, two pair of socks, three pair of underwear, two bras, a crushable sun hat, and a scarf. I usually wear a long dress while enroute to my destination that can be dressed up or down with a couple of accessories and I often wear a pair of sandals or clog type shoes. Sometimes I bring my athletic shoes or hiking shoes depending on where I'm going.

I also use travel size of all toiletries so that helps too.

Traveling with the kids is a bit harder because of diapers and wipes and toys and such but as far as clothes, they get 4 outfits packed for a 10 day trip plus two sets of pajamas and one pair of shoes which they wear.

 

[mamaLori05]

I have a hint for toddler clothes. Put whole outfits in gallon sized ziplock bags and squeeze the air out. They take up even less room and you have the matching socks right there instead of having to dig for them.

that's what we do!! works GREAT, and you don't have to think about what they are going to wear on what days when you are there!!

 

[mamaLori05]

So all of you that cram everything into one bag how do you avoid going over the weight limit? I know we fly Jet Blue and they give you one bag free up to 50lbs. They have now raised the 2nd bag from $20 last year to $30 this year. But that 2nd bag $30 is a lot less then the $50 for a 1lb overweight bag or $100 for a 21 lb overweight bag. I now have to weigh each and every bag before it leaves the house

we use the "monster" suitcases and always weigh ours on the bathroom scale and leave room for an extra 3 lbs in case our scale is different from the airport one. So far we haven't had a problem, but we are usually right at that 47lb mark. If we are over with the one suitcase (for the 4 of us) we then get a 2nd. The kids clothes really aren't all that heavy, and just need to be squished down in ziplock's order to fit more in the bag. Usually if we are over it isn't by much, and if it isn't worth paying for an extra bag we take the "overage" and put it in a carry on.

 

[sookie]

I've heard that one before. Also helpful to easily carry an extra outfit into the parks in case of accidents/spills.


I'm definitely not opposed to doing laundry during the trip. With a 2-year-old it's inevitable that she'll go through more than 1 outfit a day at least a few days. I sent away for samples of those Purex 3-in-1 sheets that everyone raves about on here, & plan to take those with me in case we need to wash clothes.

those purex sheets are awesome!

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

I am definietly planning on packing lighter then originally planned. We are going to do laundry while we are down there but we are doing 12 days so we will need more then if it were a 7 day trip. I am going to try to get it to 2 down 3 back, but really I have 3 large suitcases and one small. There is no way to carry on one of the large ones so I need to check out how I can do this.

 

[nicki.momof3]

Have to agree with some other posters that you need to really try to pack lighter. We are a family of five and we travel with 2 (maybe 3 if it is a cruise that requires "evening" clothes) checked bags. That many bags for 3 people is alot.

Maybe eliminate half the clothes and do a few laods of laundry one day.

 

[ccgirl]

I am definietly planning on packing lighter then originally planned. We are going to do laundry while we are down there but we are doing 12 days so we will need more then if it were a 7 day trip. I am going to try to get it to 2 down 3 back, but really I have 3 large suitcases and one small. There is no way to carry on one of the large ones so I need to check out how I can do this.

Rather than get a whole suitcase for souvenirs why not pack some and carry on the rest? I have been down there for 12 days and it doesn't affect how we pack. We might do laundry for a second time and that's it. One purex sheet is a lot cheaper than an extra checked bags. I just like to keep it simple.

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

To the OP so now you are paying for what you are actually using on the airplane instead of everyone else paying a share of your freight. I like the ala carte pricing! everyone pays what is important to them. If I can go with no baggage why should I pay for you to take 3? If I don't care where I sit why should I pay to have someone assigning seats, etc. Pay for what YOU use or feel is important don't split it between people who don't use it. It is kinda like going out to dinner and splitting the check equally but I had a burger and water and you had a 3 course meal and 3 drinks from the bar. separate checks.

I am sorry but this makes no sense to me. The prices for the seats are the same as what they were a few years ago, they have just added all these extra fees so really what you are saying doesn't apply to this.