More Airtran Questions!

[TinkOhio]

I'm now worried after hearing about some carry-on bag issues. My carry-on bag is only 1/2" shorter than the max allowance when you count the handle. Without the handle, it's easily 1&1/2" shorter. Should I be worried?

Also, this is our first time flying Airtran. We did purchase seat choices. When I talked to the customer service rep, she suggested picking the window and isle seat. (There will be 2 of us flying.) Her reasoning was that this flight is usually not full and that by doing this, we should have the whole row to ourselves. She said that if someone was assigned between us, chances were very high that they would love the chance to not be sandwiched between us and would be happy to switch with one of us. She actually picked our seats for us as she said they were great seats. The flight was pretty empty at that time.

Well, I just checked our flights and the only seats left are business seats. The flight is this Saturday morning - Spring break. Should I just go with it, or should I see if we could just be put next to eachother? Our flight times have changed, so there wouldn't be a seat changing fee.

TIA for any advice!

 

[TinkOhio]

Bump!

 

[anonymousegirl]

You say you measured the bag including the handle. What about the wheels? I used to sell luggage and many times a roller bag listed at 22" was more like 24" when measured from handle to end of wheels.
Also, try not to stuff the outside pockets as this will sometimes mean the bag fails the "bin test".

 

[livibug]

I have flown airtran 3 times in the past 3 years - each time I saw a measurement done and they included handels and wheels in the calculation. When I measure my bags, I measure from the ground to the top of the handle so it gets the wheels and handles. My bags are 1/2" under the measurement and they have been good to go each time!

 

[dudspizza]

I wouldn't worry too much about the carry on bags. There was a tennis team on my return flight from MCO yesterday and they all carried on their racket bags....... they only fit in the bin sideways and most ended up having to gate check them........ Airtran did this for free....

In fact, I had two roll aboards and was able to check those thru to my final destination for free on both flights. I had hoped they would do it that way. Every Airtran flight departing around us all made the same announcement, "this is a full flight..... only 2 carry on items are allowed, so if you have more, you must consolidate now. Also, those wishing to gate check their carry ons can approach the counter at this time to have their bag tagged thru to their final destination" It was awesome!

Now, if someone had all of their electronics in that bag and didn't want to check it, they would be really bummed if no bin space was left and they had to scramble to check it.......

Best bet is to make sure that you don't have anything of value in your roll a board or larger carry on.... have a smaller backpack or bag that will fit under your seat and have all electronics in there..

Duds

 

[dsnymomof4]

I wouldn't worry too much about the sitting next to each other - I can't imagine someone wouldn't want to switch to the aisle seat. The only thing I'd worry about the carry-on is being able to find room. So many people use only carry-ons now that on DH's flight a few weeks ago, there was no room for his carry-on and they had to check it underneath - they didn't charge him, but he was inconvenienced because he had to go retrieve it at MCO. Then on the return flight - again no room, they put it all the way in the back of the plane - he was the very last one off the plane because he had to wait for everyone else to go by before he could go back and get it. So, as soon as you get on - get that carry-on into the overhead compartment quickly!

 

[TinkOhio]

Thanks for the information and the tips! I did measure the bag including the wheels, so we'll cross our fingers and go with it.

 

[TinkOhio]

Okay...another question. Do we have to put our carry-ons in the overhead, or can we elect to put one under the seat ahead of us? Also, this will be our first time traveling with a laptop. Do we unzip the case and put the laptop on top of it or beside it? The laptop is considered a personal item, not a carry-on, right?

TIA!

 

[seashoreCM]

INow, if someone had all of their electronics in that bag and didn't want to check it, they would be really bummed if no bin space was left and they had to scramble to check it....... ds

You stop right there and take the valuable items out and give the rest of the suitcase to be gate checked.

Items may be put under the seat in front of you provided the items do not stick out where someone getting in or out of the row could trip over them. (On some flights they are not that strict about the item sticking out. On some flights what fits under the seat could be extremely limited in size because of rails or protruding fixtures attached to the floor or to the seat.)

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