Packing and flying for all you that have experienced

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

The weight limit for American is 50 lbs. The first level of weight penalty is $25, and that only gives you about 15 pounds more. It goes up incrementally depending on HOW overweight the bag is.

We can check 6 bags, carry on three, and each have a personal item, which will be backpacks for DS and DH and a BIG purse for me. There is absolutely no reason to take fewer bags than the maximum allowed, and no reason for any of the bags to be small.

I did the bag of snacks last trip and we ended up dragging darn near all of them back home. Totally defeated the purpose.

I still haven't done my "test" to see if I can fit all the bags in the car to take them to the airport. DH was kind enough to point out that they may not fit, which will mean I can't bring all of them. Party pooper.

 

[Luv-2-Plan]

First, I agree if you can check more luggage do so. Couple different things I do when packing is I pack one suitcase with food items; granola bars, cereal, chips, etc. We use these at the hotel or at the park and that way the suitcase is empty for souveniors on the way home. We are a family of 5 and I always pack 2 or 3 suitcases depending on the length of the trip. But I put some of everyone's clothes in each bag. I never pack a bag per person. That way should your luggage get lost or arrive late everyone has clothes. Simple toiletries are easy to get at the hotel. Enjoy your trip!

 

[ksdave]

I pack everything in my briefcase. Whatever doesn't fit, I buy when I get there.















.

 

[goofie4goofy]

The weight limit for American is 50 lbs. The first level of weight penalty is $25, and that only gives you about 15 pounds more. It goes up incrementally depending on HOW overweight the bag is.

That is correct about AA. I did not specify that Jet Blue is 70 pounds per bag.

 

[goofy4tink]

We try to check most of our bags. We each do have a carry-on with photo equip., meds, anything we might need before, during and after the flight. Also bathing suits and undies for the pool while we wait for our room to be ready. In my checked bags though....I try to make a mix of everyone's stuff in each bag. That way, if a bag gets 'misdirected' there won't be one person with no clothing at all. Each bag has a little of everyones stuff in it.
Also, as others have said...double bag those wet items. It's incredible how something leaks that you would swear wouldn't!!!
And like others, I have dragged down a whole suitcase full of snacks...left them behind since I had planned on using that suitcase for any souveniers!!!

Something I do that seems to make the security people happy is to put all our electronics...cell phones, cameras, battery packs, CD players, GameBoys...in large Zip-Loc bags. I just pull it out of my carry-on bag and send it through in one of the trays. I've gotten a lot of thank-yous for that.

 

[PatsGirl]

My two kids and I travel by plane two or three times a year and as a general rule we each pack one suitcase that we can handle (mine is a 21", DS15 uses a duffle, and DD8, uses a Princess suitcase -- all with wheels) and a backpack filled with one outfit including underwear, socks, bathing suit, snacks and electronics/books for plane ride. I also carry all the meds and a simple overnight stock of toiletries in my backpack. I usually pack each of us an outfit in the others bag as well. If anyone's bag gets lost, they will have three outfits, bathingsuit, and toothbrush to get them through for a couple of days. Everyone is responsible for their own luggage/backpacks. I pack an extra soft-sided bag in my suitcase for the souveniers and such. All our luggage can be carried on and it varies whether we decide to check it or carry it on.

Hope this helps. Brenda

 

[Paisleyjane]

We are seasoned trevelers and frequent
because we both dress by mood

On checked bags, size des not matter but weight does. On carry on, weight does not matter but size does.

Check with your airline. Size does matter. I turn away bags everyday for being too large. Or charge $80.00 for oversize. Carryons do have a weight limit and can be denied at the gate. You can be made to check it and if you have checked you maximum bags, you may have to pay for an excess bag. Also check weight limit. They have changed in the last two weeks for many airlines. Best advise: Pack a small bag filled in an empty larger one.

 

[chamonix]

More luggage with less inside is far better than less luggage with more inside.

That's pretty much all you need to know.

I take multiple bags, but don't pack any one of them to the point of being overweight--not even close. Lots of room for souvies that way. I also always pack a duffle or smaller bag inside another larger bag to use on the way home. That really helps with dd's stuffed animal obsession. The baggage handlers always have a good laugh when they try to pick up a huge bag that weighs next to nothing because it either has hardly anything in it, or it's full of fluffy stuffed animals.....

 

[MazdaUK]

Those bags get x-rayed too, so I don't see their point.

Point is its easier to pull it out of a carry-on to prove its fudge, rather than to go through the rigmarole of finding the person with the scary suitcase

 

[Corryn]

I haven't seen anyone mention this, but has anyone used their bathroom scale to weigh their bags during "test packing" or final packing to make sure the bags are not over the weight limit?

Yes I've read stories here about people having to open their bags and switch stuff around and I did not want to be one of those, so my husband got on the scale, weighed himself, and then held each bag. We did some shifting around and according to our scales, all our bags were all right.
We left them a few pounds lighter because of differences in scales, you know? All scales are not calibrated the same, especially the inexpensive ones that most people have in their homes.
But we were still found to be Over the Limit. I think because we had so much stuff we weighed our bags at 47 to 48 pounds at home, but next time I am going to aim more for 45 pounds (on our home scale) so it will give us a +/- 5 pound difference to work with instead of only two or three. I am also going to make sure we have more luggage with less clothes in them.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Just a thought from someone who got charged extra the last time I travelled to Florida..

My large suitcase, cloth type, weighs a lot without stuff in it..and then I stuffed it as well.....it was over and they wanted me to try and redistribute at the airport. I said just charge me, I could not open it up and try to shuffle things around at that point... this was on the way back. I did have souvenirs etc added to the weight.

I did take this suitcase to London and it was jammed back on the way back as well, but the weight allowance is different for overseas flights...I have to rethink my suitcase for Florida...we pay enough for tickets with no frills to get charged for weight as well is just ridiculous.