Newbie--silly flight/luggage/carry-on question

[lalasmama]

Okay, I totally feel like I dork asking this, but I just want to be sure!

We're flying JetBlue. It's just my 7yo daughter and I. JetBlue says it doesn't charge for checked luggage, but I'm thinking we may do carry-ons regardless. I get stressed when things are out of my control, and I think I'd rather deal with lugging a suitcase around an airport than having it not make it to the destination with me, ya know?

So, if we do carry-ons, I'm allowed a "purse" and DD's allowed a "purse" and then we are *each* allowed our suitcase as well, right?

We've been practicing, so she's fairly good at rolling her suitcase, and I figured her "purse" (a small bag that attaches to her rolling suitcase) would contain all her in-flight entertainment and special nutritional stuff. Just want to make sure we aren't going to be told we are SOL and have "too many" carry-ons!

 

[sonnyjane]

Yes, you're allowed one carry-on bag and one "personal item" (purse, laptop, etc.). That said, a TRUE carry-on bag is really quite small. It must fit into the little sample bin they provide (dimensions can be found online). I'm not sure how long your trip is but I find that my carry-on roller only holds two days of stuff. If your bag is not FAA standard carry-on size, you must check it. Also remember you can't take any liquids in a container larger than 3 Oz. on with you as a carry-on. You can check bags with liquids without that limit.

 

[lalasmama]

Yes, you're allowed one carry-on bag and one "personal item" (purse, laptop, etc.). That said, a TRUE carry-on bag is really quite small. It must fit into the little sample bin they provide (dimensions can be found online). I'm not sure how long your trip is but I find that my carry-on roller only holds two days of stuff. If your bag is not FAA standard carry-on size, you must check it. Also remember you can't take any liquids in a container larger than 3 Oz. on with you as a carry-on. You can check bags with liquids without that limit.

I'll double check the dimensions online. My case said "carry-on certified" so I just assumed it would be fine, and her case is smaller than mine. We're going to be gone for about 4-5 days. I figured 3 pairs of pants (we re-wear) and 5-6 tshirts, a pair of jammies, and some undies, and we should be good. We will wear sweatshirts down there and back, since that's prime clothing/souvenir real-estate! But I will double check to make sure it will all fit!

Okay, I think I'm missing something on the liquids. I thought if there was a special nutritional/medical need (which DD has), we were allowed to carry it with us. Did I misunderstand? Her medical drink come sealed in 8-oz cans. I'll be pretty cranky if we can't bring them on-board with us, and have to buy down there... but better that I get it figured out now. Okay, off to figure that out!

ETA: Just checked the TSA website. Yay! Liquid nutritional items may be brought in unlimited quantities, as long as I declare them. Ahhh, one crisis averted

 

[sonnyjane]

Yes medically required liquids are allowed, I was just referring to things like toothpaste, shampoo, etc. Make sure you separate all liquids and place them in a clear quart-size bag. That includes makeup items like lip gloss and liquid foundation. Any liquid or gel not in the clear bag could hold you up if they are being sticklers. They scan liquids separately. If your luggage says it's good for carry-on I'm sure it is. It's people that try to cram their giant duffle bags or larger suitcases into the overhead space that mess up the system and take room away from everyone else. Honestly most airport security experiences I've had are fine, but I've seen them really get on people's case for small things if they aren't used to the new ahem, "safer" regulations.

 

[lalasmama]

I've hit my limit for tonight (darn time change gets me all thrown off), so I'm going to check the measurements for the bags tomorrow to be sure. And heck, PDX isn't too far away, maybe we will take a little drive over there one of these days if I can't get a good, satisfying answer online

 

[bumbershoot]

Yes, you're allowed one carry-on bag and one "personal item" (purse, laptop, etc.). That said, a TRUE carry-on bag is really quite small..

i disagree. If you look at the dimensions listed on airline websites, and find a bag that has those dimensions, it's actually quite generous.

On JB site:


for our Airbus A320: 26 inches (66 centimeters) length x 18 inches (45.72 centimeters) width x 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) height
for our EMBRAER 190: 24 inches (60.96 centimeters) length x 16 inches (40.64 centimeters) width x 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) height


This bag is 9x21x14 whe not stuffed. It is smaller than what any airline but qantas, that DH or I have experienced, allows as a carryon.

And it's what we used as regular luggage for YEARS. Two of them held our honeymoon cruise clothes and shoes. It was only when we started making two week trips to WDW that we got bigger bags.

 

[jasy]

I don't think you and your daughter should have a problem. I fly carry on only all the time, our last long trip was to Maui for 2 weeks and both DH and I chose not to check any luggage. The liquid and gels that you are limited to fitting into a baggie is quite generous IMO and since it's both you and your daughter you each get to bring a baggie.

For my upcoming January trip with my son I'm debating going carry on only but with a toddler I'm not sure that I will be able to swing it.

Have fun I think you'll be fine.

 

[cyclenut]

I recently completed a 5 day trip with carry on only and I too find it quite agreeable. The advice give to you by the PP is spot on. You are on the right track. For your "personal item" you can choose to carry on a backpack and put your purse in that. A standard school-bag size should be sufficient. I put my laptop in it and quite a few other things as well.

I will say this though about checked bags. If you are taking a non-stop or not changing planes, you are not very likely to experience a baggage problem. Every time I've had a baggage problem it was because my bag didn't make the transfer from one plane to another.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I'd put DDs nutritional drinks in a separate baggie and pull it out when they scan your bags. That way they can see it, what its for. We carried on DDs nebulizer and all our meds and I pulled them out of the bag so they didn't scan weird and compel them to check the entire bag.

 

[DizMe]

We nearly always fly carry-on only. In fact, I am short and dislike having to heave a bag into the overhead so I just bring a sort of backpack type bag when I'm only going for a couple of days. I like being able to stick it under the seat and not have to worry about finding a spot overhead and getting it in and out. I've never had to worry much about the baggie situation--they rarely even open my bag. They do examine it carefully through the x-ray machine. I used to get all stressed about what I could bring and how it had to be arranged but after lots of flying I don't even thinking about it now.

 

[tanyaewa]

another persective - checking luggage is quick and easy.
If you don't have to change planes on your trip there will be no real chance of getting lost.
It is very freeing to not have to haul your luggage through the airport & customs. You can also visit the restrroms easily without a suitcase in tow.
I would vote for checking the luggage if it's free and 1 flight.

 

[mydisneymoney]

We have flown several times with DS6 and he does great pulling his own suitcase that is a carry on. We have flown Allegiant Air and their dimensions for a personal item are almost as big as a carry on piece of luggage. Basically, a personal item must fit under the seat in front of you and carry on go in the upper compartments. You can bit a pretty big bag under the seat. We use a smaller bag for all of our eletronics including a laptop, cameras and GPS. We usually take my DS booster seat as well so we do not have to worry about one when we get to our destination. This does not count as a personal item for Allegiant Air. We always are given the option to gate check it which means we give it to the flight attendent right before we get on the plane and it is always waiting for us right outside the plane when we arrive. I always strap it onto a suitcase when we are walking through the airport. So basically for myself, DH and DS we each have a carry on suitcase with wheels, a personal bag and my son's booster seat and we make it through the airport just fine.

Also regarding Medical items. I always make sure I carry a note from my physician when carrying medical items that are liquid. I always have them put a label on my inhaler because I sure do not want to come face to face with a TSA agent that is not in a good mood and decides to takek my inhaler. I know that nutritional supplement in the cans can be very expensives so do make sure you have a script/note from your physician stating it is medically necessary.

 

[DryCreek]

Two of them held our honeymoon cruise clothes and shoes.

Wow, as my brother would say, you must have wayyyy overpacked for a honeymoon. All the stuff he needed fit in his glovebox (or so he says).

And as stated, you would be surprised how much you can fit in the quart ziplock baggies under the 3-1-1 program! I can pack all of my necessities for a week and still have room left over for several airport sized bottles of Coke sanitizer (mustn't get sick while on vacation, you know). I get a lot of questions when folks see me pull out my small bottles of Jack or Jim Beam. Apparently, most folks don't realize that it is quite legal to bring them with you and enjoy them while waiting for your flight. I have never been questioned when airborne either, but I make no claims as to whether or not it does or doesn't violate somebodies policy somewhere..