is this really a carry on?

[sln88]

I have not flown since the airlines started charging for bags. Looking to get the most out of the carry on allowance. I never really did the carry on before except for stuff we wanted on the plane/valuables

It says 55 inches max. The case I have is 9x16.5x26.5= 52

It just looks big. I don't want to get to the check in and have them take it away.

seems like a dumb ? but I am in last minute panic mode

 

[seashoreCM]

Different airlines have different rules. 45 inches is quite common. I find it hard to believe Airtran allows 55 inch carryons, at least they did as of yesterday. Also individual dimensions make a difference for example 9 inches thick is an often seen limit.

Measurements include wheels, handles, etc. Set the bag on the floor and hold a book or piece of cardboard horizontally over it. This gives you the measurement.

If you do not use an outside pocket, that part won't bulge as much and your measurement won't be as big.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[krissyh]

Did you measure wheels, etc?

I have a similar question.
I have the large Vera Bradley duffel bag.
Their website says it is "carry on compliant" but it looks big to me.
Maybe it is just that the shape is different than a suitcase?

Anyone carry one on?

 

[DebbieB]

I don't think a 26.5 inch suitcase would be considered carry-on.

 

[Thumper_Man]

I agree with seashore CM. Different rules for different airlines. Southwest does not have baggage fees for the first 2 checked bags. However; given the dimensions of the bag you provided, that would be close to qualifying as a carry-on for Southwest. If the carry-on limit for your airline is 55, then you would be able to carry it on.

When you get to the airport, most airlines provide a place where you can check to see if your bag will qualify as a carry-on. Usually a wooden/metal box of some sort by the baggage check-in. If your bag fits in the box, without forcing it in, then it qualifies as a carry-on. If it don't fit, then you'll have to check it in.

 

[bavaria]

Very few US domestic carriers allow a bag that big as carry on - that is the checked bag size I use for trips of 4-6 weeks.

More importantly, can you hoist that bag over your head once it is full, and hold it there for several seconds? If not, you won't be able to lift it and place it into the bin. Nor will it fit wheels first into the bin, so you will be taking more than the allotted space.

Unless you are flying AirTran or one or two other carriers, that bag far exceeds regulation carry on limits.

 

[dioxide45]

Your bag will be fine if you are flying AirTran. We have flown with bags of similar dimensions. Some people on these boards seem to take issue with that, not sure why, but it is within their limits so feel free to us it.

 

[DebbieB]

Your bag will be fine if you are flying AirTran. We have flown with bags of similar dimensions. Some people on these boards seem to take issue with that, not sure why, but it is within their limits so feel free to us it.

I take issue with it because I've been on planes where we were delayed leaving because someone was trying to stuff a bag that was too big into the overhead and it would not fit.

One time a guy kept slamming the door shut, it would not shut because his bag was too big, so he slammed harder and got it to stay shut. He thought he was really smart. The surprise was on him - when we landed the door would not open!

You also have to take into consideration expansion when filled. One time we sat there while a girl transferred items from her rolling suitcase into a plastic bag provided by the F/A because it was so stuffed full it would not fit. They should have made her check it.

Carry-ons should fit wheels first, that way there is room for everyone. I doubt a 26.5" suitcase will fit wheels first. It will have to go sideways, taking the space of 2 or 3 bags.

 

[sln88]

hi- yes, I am flying airtran. I got the 55 inches off their website. I have never used an overhead bin any time I have flown in the past, so I guess we will make up for it this time!

I agree with all of you that people with carryons are a PITA, but I have to joing ranks with them this time because I am not paying for all of us to check bags

I did include the wheels and stuff.

thanks for the reasurrance Dioxide45

 

[dudspizza]

I have a question.... I have a 3 ball bowling bag... it measures 28X15x11=54 inches. It only weighs about 55-60 pounds when totally weighted down with 3 bowling balls, shoes, and accessories. Since it falls within Airtran's guidelines, I can use it as a carry on and place it in the overhead bin... correct?

Duds

 

[bavaria]

Well the good news is that you won't be on any of my LH flights as that exceeds the 8kg carry on limit!

Seriously, though, I had someone drop a 22 inch carry on on my head during boarding once. I have read about people being knocked unconcious by other passenger's luggage.

there are weight limits marked inside the bins (Lewisc once gave me a homework assignment of noting all the different bin weights) ONE of those 25 inch bags could easily exceed the total bin weight.

 

[aristocat65]

Carry-ons should fit wheels first, that way there is room for everyone. I doubt a 26.5" suitcase will fit wheels first. It will have to go sideways, taking the space of 2 or 3 bags.

On our last Alaska Airlines flight back from MCO, the FA's were reminding people to put their bags wheels out, and there was a sticker in the bin with the same instructions. Of course very few people did this Most had the handle out for easier access. This is the first time I've seem them ask for the bags to be put in this way, but they did fit better that way.

BTW, every airline I've been on has had the 45" rule (L + W + H). 55" seems really big!

I've also seem FA's take bags away from people and check them (on the plane before departure) as all the bins were full. This was before bag fees, so I can only imagine how bad it will get soon as people try to save the fees.

 

[Halbleib1]

On our last Alaska Airlines flight back from MCO, the FA's were reminding people to put their bags wheels out, and there was a sticker in the bin with the same instructions. Of course very few people did this Most had the handle out for easier access. This is the first time I've seem them ask for the bags to be put in this way, but they did fit better that way.

BTW, every airline I've been on has had the 45" rule (L + W + H). 55" seems really big!

I've also seem FA's take bags away from people and check them (on the plane before departure) as all the bins were full. This was before bag fees, so I can only imagine how bad it will get soon as people try to save the fees.

Southwest actually allows up to 50". I could not believe the suitcases people carried on during our first trip in 2007. I was worried about carrying on a small duffle bag and here people were carrying all sorts of pilot cases in various sizes. This was before the other airlines started charging for bags so I can imagine what it is like now on those airlines.

 

[goofy4tink]

You know...I was horrified last Feb when flying to London. The allowable carryon was tiny compared to what we allow here. It amounted to a tote bag! But, you know what??? I now travel a lot lighter. It was amazing how easy that flight was.
Yes, I realize that checked bag fees are here to stay. But it may be time that we just figure that they are a cost of doing business...rather than try to get the largest bag possible on as carryon.
I do know that when we flew right after 9/11, we weren't allowed any carryon at all...a purse and that was it. It was amazing how fast that plane took off, and then how fast we all got off the plane.

 

[dioxide45]

I have a question.... I have a 3 ball bowling bag... it measures 28X15x11=54 inches. It only weighs about 55-60 pounds when totally weighted down with 3 bowling balls, shoes, and accessories. Since it falls within Airtran's guidelines, I can use it as a carry on and place it in the overhead bin... correct?

Duds

While the AirTran website doesn't indicate such, I remember reading at one time there being a 40lb limit to the carry on. So as long as not all your bowling balls were not in the bag, that would be fine as it meets the dimensional requirements.

 

[francie57]

Unless AirTran has extremely large overhead bins there is no way a 26" suitcase will fit in. The bigger question would be who will be able to lift that over their head to put it in there. We have enough trouble getting a normal sized carry-on suitcase in a bin. You can give it a try but don't be surprised if you are asked to check the bag. Delta is really cracking down on the carrry-on situation since so many people are trying to get around luggage fees. We had to listen to a woman complain the whole return trip in Aug. that she had to check three carry-ons at the gate and pay the fee. Problem was the bags were fuller and bigger than my checked bag to begin with - her bags would have never fit into the the bins.

 

[bavaria]

While the AirTran website doesn't indicate such, I remember reading at one time there being a 40lb limit to the carry on. So as long as not all your bowling balls were not in the bag, that would be fine as it meets the dimensional requirements.

Pssst..... his tongue is firmly planted inside his cheek.

I am cranky today and already gave him an earful. There I was, listening to Shakespeare sonnets being read aloud, when suddenly the bag signal flashed and I had some sort of garbled message from Minnesota about bowling balls, luggage, and rented shoes.

 

[Brian Noble]

For an authoritative answer, you might try calling the airline, as each one has different rules. However, if someone were thinking about buying a bag for more than just AT, you might consider a smaller bag, because it sounds like AT's limits are unusually generous.

For example, on Northwest, that bag would not be a carryon: they specify a 45" total limit, and they also specify per-dimension limits of 9x14x22. My experience is that NW's smaller (and more specific) limits are pretty common on US carriers.

 

[dudspizza]

Pssst..... his tongue is firmly planted inside his cheek.

I am cranky today and already gave him an earful. There I was, listening to Shakespeare sonnets being read aloud, when suddenly the bag signal flashed and I had some sort of garbled message from Minnesota about bowling balls, luggage, and rented shoes.

DANG IT! No one was supposed to know I was kidding......... I personally find it crazy that anyone would carry on bowling balls (as some on another message board have said they will do). I also find it crazy to lug around a 55" suitcase as carry on just because the rules say you can do it. The bins are not that big and it is silly to do so just to save $15.

If someone is truly concerned about saving on the luggage fees, then each person should have a roll aboard that is legal on all airlines in the US and use that. Heck, you could even have a purse or small backpack that will go under the seat in front of you....... but a 55" bag as carry on???? a bit much in my opinion....

Duds

 

[bavaria]

Look, when we both went into semi-retirement I thought that you took out the bulb from the bat signal to conserve energy. You really don't have any idea how bright that thing is - it lights up the entire sky.

A call to MrsDuds may be in order; perhaps I'll have to ask her to go out to the garage after school and at least unplug the thing (and yes, gentle readers, MrsDuds knows all about the 'woman that duds met online')

But otherwise I do agree with my sometimespartnerincrime about 'just because one can doesn't mean that one should'.