NWA's carry-on policy and kids' stuff?

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I'll be using NWA for the first time in April and just looked over their website. Carry-ons are restricted to one piece plus a "purse, briefcase, or laptop" carrier. However, my children would have backpacks in addition to their one other carry-on suitcase (I'm worried about the airline losing checked luggage and am considering going with all carry-ons this trip). I would guess that backpacks will be allowed, but wanted to make sure. Anyone have experience with NWA on this?

Also, we'll be using Mesaba and Pinnacle for one leg of each of our flights. The NWA site states that carry-ons will be checked and returned to passengers after arrival (apparently only purses can be taken to the seat) - will my children be allowed to keep something to occupy themselves with?

Many thanks!

 

[safetymom]

Save yourself some aggravation and check the luggage. Lost suitcases don't happen as often as it seems on these boards.

On the smaller planes they could take their backbacks to the seat. Planes are small so I wouldn't take much on the plane.

 

[hercamore]

Hi,

Northwest rules here in MN, so we they ar ethe carrier we fly the most. We have flown on their Mesabi and Pinnacle airlines. I love those smaller planes!

Not to worry, you can take on backpack and one another small carryon. However with the smaller planes, the carryon will be gatechecked. You'll pickup the carryon as you disembark. It will be right there in the jetway to pick up.

Your kids can take a small item like a backpack on with them and put it under the seat. We have done this many times. I also take my Eddie Buaer square camera type case with me on plane for under seat, in additoiin to my purse.

herc.

 

[Brian Noble]

The kids' rollaboards and backpacks will be fine. I carry a 22" rollerbag plus a soft-sided briefcase on all my NW flights, and never even gotten a glance. Several of my fellow passengers push the carryon allowance even further, and I've yet to see NWA get particularly picky about what they let on. I wouldn't worry about it.

For the regional jets (Mesaba/Pinnacle), I carry on both bags---the 22" roller is gate checked, and the soft-sided briefcase comes on. There is a little bit of storage up above the 2-seat side of the plane; as long as your kids' backpacks are not stuffed to the gills, they should fit. There is also under-seat storage.

I never check a bag when flying alone domestically, but this is to save time, not to avoid lost luggage. When I travel with the family in tow, we have to stop for potty breaks, "I'm hungry" breaks, and generally move more slowly, so the added time to get a bag isn't really material. I'm even more inclined to check bags when connecting, since schlepping everything through airports is a drag.

Depending on how old your kids are (younger is better for checking) and how long your connection is (shorter is better for checking) I'd consider checking some of the bags.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Thanks, everyone. I've only heard positive things about NWA, so I'm feeling better and better about this trip. Normally I wrestle with one large suitcase while DD (10) drags another, then we stand in line forever to get the darned things checked. I figured 3 smaller carry-on sized bags would serve as well and give me less to swear about, lol! I do recall reading that the airport at our connection in Detroit is quite large, though, so regardless of the size bags we use, I may have to consider checking some, anyway. Well, I can't complain - at least we get to go, right??

Again, thanks.

 

[safetymom]

Also be sure to allow some extra time in case they have to search your luggage. You could also do curbside check in if you decide not to carry on everything.