larger suitcases on Delta - handles, wheels, etc?

[newholidayx2]

When you measure the large suitcase to see if its within limits does Delta count the wheels and handles? or is it just the suitcase itself?
I havent used this suitcase yet but I see ppl use this size all the time and Im thinking about it
Thank you

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes. You need to measure the TOTAL dimensions.
Stand it up on its wheels.
Measure from the top of the handle to the floor.
Measure from one side to the other.
Measure from the front to the back (remember, if it's just barely within the limits on your way TO Disney - or anywhere else - and you expand it to fit everything on the way home, you'll likely go over the maximum size).
Add these three numbers together.
Compare to Delta's maximum size for checked luggage

 

[seashoreCM]

It's overall dimensions.

If you placed the suitcase on the floor on end, on its side, etc. in turn, holding a (flat) sheet of cardboard horizontally over the suitcase and lowering the cardboard until it touched, then measuring the distance between the cardboard and the floor gives you that respective dimension.

Whatever method is used, some accuracy is sacrificed to get it done faster.

For awhile the X-ray machines at some airports' security gates had templates that restricted the size of carry on baggage but these templates became obsolete when airlines changed from maximum width and maximum depth to a single length plus width plus depth measurement.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[goofy4tink]

Measure from the bottom of the wheel to the top of the handle. Reason being that the FA is going to tell you that all bags must be put in wheels first....if that flight is crowded, and there isn't enough room in the overheads, some people are going to have to gate check their bags. You don't want to be the person who's bag won't fit in the 'proper' way....a lot of people try to squeeze their bags in sideways, so they can be longer and wider than the specified dimensions, but that takes up a lot more room in the overheads. I have seen FAs checking which way a bag was put in, pull one out, ask who's it is and tell them it will have to be gate checked because it is too large and there just isn't enough room for it.
Better safe than sorry!!! Hope you have a good trip!

 

[newholidayx2]

thanks people
although I have seen ppl fly w/suitcases this big Im not willing to try it just in case!
I'll be keeping the large one from that set home and taking the large from the other set

Diane I was asking about the large check in suitcase
but good point on the carryons also. DS & I usually take just 1 each (and a fanny pack). DH takes 2 since one is his night breathing machine.

 

[JillU-DVC]

Something else to keep in mind if you're talking about larger (28") checked suitcases is the weight.

I bought one of the large 28" suitcases to use for travel, and we find when we pack it, it's always too heavy, and we get charged extra fees for using it. So i've abandoned it all together for flying, and we'll only use it when we drive (not very often).

We now travel with two smaller sized suitcases (26"), but I always weigh them before I leave home to make sure they're not over weight - have to pack them carefully on the way home to make sure they're not over weight as well, and I do try to remember to bring a duffle bag to put in anything extra heavy, so our bags won't be overweight.

FYI!!

 

[goofy4tink]

thanks people
although I have seen ppl fly w/suitcases this big Im not willing to try it just in case!
I'll be keeping the large one from that set home and taking the large from the other set

Diane I was asking about the large check in suitcase
but good point on the carryons also. DS & I usually take just 1 each (and a fanny pack). DH takes 2 since one is his night breathing machine.

Oops, sorry..must have misread. Have to agree with overstuffing the larger suitcases though. My mom did that once...she figured she would be better off using just one bag..however, she couldn't lift it off the bed!!!! She went with two instead! In fact, we just tossed that huge bag out. It was oversized, and heavy to boot.