Packing for the lowest/free bag rate 22" can be done!

[Ladygoldenhair]

I realized on my way home last week I can pack for myself with a 22" carryon. Waiting until the last minute to pack, I packed way too much. 2/3 I did not even wear or use.

On the way back I rolled and packed everything dirty in a lg zip-bag letting the air out. I packed my toiletries, two pairs of shoes, Crocs, jacket in the inside and in the front with the new T-shirts and pins. My backpack carryon had the camera, medicine, and things for the plane. In my checked bag for $25 weighing in at 47lbs, was a lot of clothes I did not need, gel Halloween stickers, lights for my window, my Disney Planner I never looked at after we checked in, and did i say, plus a ton of clean clothes!

I made a note of what I used to pack again...., I can do without every outfit!

I did need to have waterproof Crocs, Clark's sandles from HSN, sneakers, one pair of Nike memory foam Sandles. Our new rain jacket from Cabbelas packed into a pocket was my prize pick for the trip!

 

[rwdavis2]

Agreed. It is not that hard if one is disciplined on what to leave behind. I can do about 6 days in a carry on and under seat bag. One of the keys is limiting shoes.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

The shoes are a big one. I wear the heaviest, my sneakers, pack Croc Mary Jane for rain, Sketchers memory foam flip flops, my Clark's are super light sandles. Now the cruise is more difficult, even a freestyle.
On the flight home I actually had a pullover from Mexico, and gift shop purchase, I just carried the Disney bag in my hand and was never questioned.
I'm psyched to the next packing!

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

The shoes is a big one. I wear the heaviest, my sneakers, pack Croc Mary Jane for rain, Sketchers memory foam flip flops, my Claks are super light sandles. Now the cruise is more difficult, even a freestyle.
I actually had a pullover from Mexico, and gift shop purchase, I just carried the Disney bag in my hand and was never questioned.
I'm psyched to the next packing!

While packing to leave I swore we were going to wear three sets of clothes,

 

[aubriee]

I just returned late last night from nine days at WDW. I packed in a 22" rolling bag and a Vera Bradley Weekender. This past May we packed for eleven days in a carry on and personal item each.

 

[Spoiledraf]

We'll be going in December for 6 days. I will plan strategically for this. But with cooler temps, heavier clothes are a must. Maybe i'll find a jacket with lots of pockets to put stuff in! socks on the left...undies on the right...and gonna need a BIGGER back pack! So much planning to do. 69 days...

 

[bzzelady]

I've traveled frequently with just a strategically packed carry on and personal item (i.e. large purse) and done very well. Yes...laundry must be done on a trip longer than five days, but it is possible!

For winter time, wear your jeans/sneakers and then wear your sweatshirt and jacket onto the plane. It keeps the bulky stuff out of your carry on

 

[keishashadow]

Congrats to the road warriors who can travel light. I've done it, just don't want to do it. I like shoes and refuse to cook or do laundry while on vacation. Thanks to SWA it's free & easy enough to check a bag and just carry that VB weekender thru the airport.

We play a game @ the gate to pass the time: pick the overstuffed = now oversized carryon, that won't fit into the overhead. It scores a free bag check, but usually after much ado trying to stuff it into compartment until FA intervenes, complaints & off-loading of essential items for the trip ensues.

Not sure of how other airlines handle it. SWA & AT used to be all over the size of carry-ons but doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Notice on most flights they often offer to do free bag checks pre-boarding but few take them up on it.

 

[goofy4tink]

Congrats to the road warriors who can travel light. I've done it, just don't want to do it. I like shoes and refuse to cook or do laundry while on vacation. Thanks to SWA it's free & easy enough to check a bag and just carry that VB weekender thru the airport.

We play a game @ the gate to pass the time: pick the overstuffed = now oversized carryon, that won't fit into the overhead. It scores a free bag check, but usually after much ado trying to stuff it into compartment until FA intervenes, complaints & off-loading of essential items for the trip ensues.

Not sure of how other airlines handle it. SWA & AT used to be all over the size of carry-ons but doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Notice on most flights they often offer to do free bag checks pre-boarding but few take them up on it.

Yep, I sit and watch as well. I can't believe some of the stuff I see going onto a plane. I'm flying in November...doing carry-on only as of right now. My bag fits perfectly, wheels in, into that overhead bin. And my backpack goes at my feet. No problem.

 

[keishashadow]

Yep, I sit and watch as well. I can't believe some of the stuff I see going onto a plane. I'm flying in November...doing carry-on only as of right now. My bag fits perfectly, wheels in, into that overhead bin. And my backpack goes at my feet. No problem.

another one who has it down pat!

 

[aubriee]

Yep, I sit and watch as well. I can't believe some of the stuff I see going onto a plane. I'm flying in November...doing carry-on only as of right now. My bag fits perfectly, wheels in, into that overhead bin. And my backpack goes at my feet. No problem.

Same here. I have a 22" Heys spinner, a 22" Vera Bradley spinner, and a 22" rolling Kipling Teagan carryons that always easily fit wheels first into the overhead bin. I then usually carry a Kipling Sherpa bag or Vera Bradley weekender that easily fits completely under the seat. I have never had to force any of them.

However, I have watched others try to shove bags into the overheads that were obviously checked bag size. It irritates me that even when they obviously don't fit, the FAs then volunteer to check them for free. I don't agree with that. If a bag is so big that it obviously won't fit, the person should have to pay to check it. In fact, I saw this happen this past Sunday night when I was flying from MCO to DFW. At least two people tried to board with bags that were at least 25"-26". No way were they going into the overhead. After alot of pushing and shoving by the owners, the FAs gate checked them for free. Sorry, but with bags that big, they should have been made to pay the check bag fee that everyone else with bags that big had to pay. I love doing carry on only and am pretty good at getting a week's worth of stuff in a 22" bag and a personal item, but would never try to carry on a bag that didn't fit wheels first into the overhead or completely under the seat.

 

[goofy4tink]

Same here. I have a 22" Heys spinner, a 22" Vera Bradley spinner, and a 22" rolling Kipling Teagan carryons that always easily fit wheels first into the overhead bin. I then usually carry a Kipling Sherpa bag or Vera Bradley weekender that easily fits completely under the seat. I have never had to force any of them.

However, I have watched others try to shove bags into the overheads that were obviously checked bag size. It irritates me that even when they obviously don't fit, the FAs then volunteer to check them for free. I don't agree with that. If a bag is so big that it obviously won't fit, the person should have to pay to check it. In fact, I saw this happen this past Sunday night when I was flying from MCO to DFW. At least two people tried to board with bags that were at least 25"-26". No way were they going into the overhead. After alot of pushing and shoving by the owners, the FAs gate checked them for free. Sorry, but with bags that big, they should have been made to pay the check bag fee that everyone else with bags that big had to pay. I love doing carry on only and am pretty good at getting a week's worth of stuff in a 22" bag and a personal item, but would never try to carry on a bag that didn't fit wheels first into the overhead or completely under the seat.

Oh, sooooooo agree with that!! I have watched passengers push and shove to get that too big bag in the overhead. Then, laugh to myself when they have to get it out. I have actually been behind someone that took a huge amount of time trying to dislodge his too big bag from the overhead upon arrival. He backed up about half the plane!!! We just stood there while he grunted away. I then took the bull by the horns and asked if he would please step aside so that those of us with no bags up there could get by him and not be held up by his actions! He wasn't happy!!! So, about 15 of us slipped past him. The FA gave me a thumbs up as I walked past him!!

If your bag is obviously too large to go in the overhead, the gate attendants should stop you from boarding. They know exactly what won't fit!!! But no, they allow that bag onto the plane and then it gets checked, free. So, if I've done the right thing, and checked my bag, and probably paid for it, someone else gets to be a jerk and get it checked free?? Annoying to say the least.

 

[Sheilby]

If your bag is obviously too large to go in the overhead, the gate attendants should stop you from boarding. They know exactly what won't fit!!! But no, they allow that bag onto the plane and then it gets checked, free. So, if I've done the right thing, and checked my bag, and probably paid for it, someone else gets to be a jerk and get it checked free?? Annoying to say the least.

I'm surprised they don't charge people when it is oversized, most airlines nickel and dime you to death. I had to have my carry-on gate checked for free once, but it was a small bag, well within the carry-on limits, but the people before me had shoved so much stuff in there was no room left for my carry on. That I think they should have done for free since I was following the rules, but if your bag is larger than the clearly posted rules, you should be charged.

We are flying Jetblue this time so we get a checked bag per customer (up to 50 lbs), we are only going to have one carryon bag between the 5 of us and everything else is going to be checked. We will each have a small personal bag for under the seat with books/puzzles/snacks. I don't feel like lugging a bunch of stuff through the airport.

 

[pooch]

The bins to verify size should be RIGHT at the gate. Put your carryon in it to check for size before handing your boarding pass to the attendant. If your bag does not fit, step aside please as we prepare your bag for gate check (with any applicable fee as needed). Can you imagine the SWA passengers losing their boarding position for oversized bags?!?!?

I saw a woman with 2 full sized stuffed bears trying to board once. Give me a break!!!

 

[keishashadow]

The bins to verify size should be RIGHT at the gate. Put your carryon in it to check for size before handing your boarding pass to the attendant. If your bag does not fit, step aside please as we prepare your bag for gate check (with any applicable fee as needed). Can you imagine the SWA passengers losing their boarding position for oversized bags?!?!?

I saw a woman with 2 full sized stuffed bears trying to board once. Give me a break!!!

I seem to recall PIT has them both @ bag check and boarding gates for AT/SWA, not sure as to other carriers or airports.

In lieu of slowing down everybody in the SWA cattle call, why not have all carryon's checked in bin @ gate desk with accompanying boarding passes marked as to how many pieces are permitted to board...you can quit laughing now

 

[aubriee]

The bins to verify size should be RIGHT at the gate. Put your carryon in it to check for size before handing your boarding pass to the attendant. If your bag does not fit, step aside please as we prepare your bag for gate check (with any applicable fee as needed). Can you imagine the SWA passengers losing their boarding position for oversized bags?!?!?

I saw a woman with 2 full sized stuffed bears trying to board once. Give me a break!!!

When I was waiting for my flight I saw a lady miss her flight to LA. The gate agent had already called final boarding several times, then called out specific names of passengers that had still not boarded telling them it was last call. Anyway this lady came running up just as the the plane was pulling out of the gate. She was barefoot, carrying a pair of high heels looped on just two fingers and had not one but two rolling carry ons (each about 22"), plus a huge shopping bag that appeared to be even bigger than the rolling carry ons, plus a large shoulder bag over her shoulder. She was so loaded up she could barely move. She was yelling to hold the plane and when told she'd missed it, started yelling at the gate agent to call it back. The couple next to me, leaned over and asked, "Even if she got here in time, does she really think they were going to let her carry on four huge carryons? None of those bags would fit under the seat and would take up at least 1 1/2 bins". The lady continued to get hostile with the gate agent, demanding the plane be brought back, saying it was not her fault she was late as she'd got caught in the long security lines. I also saw a teenager with a big rolling carry on, a large backpack, and a really huge stuffed Shamu whale getting on that flight to LA. Unless something was said once she got on the plane, she got by with it. I know she loaded. That stuffed whale was several feet long and almost as big as she was.

 

[keishashadow]

/\ LOL butcan't imagine going thru airport barefoot!

 

[goofy4tink]

I seem to recall PIT has them both @ bag check and boarding gates for AT/SWA, not sure as to other carriers or airports.

In lieu of slowing down everybody in the SWA cattle call, why not have all carryon's checked in bin @ gate desk with accompanying boarding passes marked as to how many pieces are permitted to board...you can quit laughing now

Those of us that travel once a year can tell if a bag is going to fit in that overhead, and the 'personal' item at your feet. So, you have to think that the gate attendants can give a quick glance at what is at the gate and make an announcement that carryon bags will be monitored. If they think there may be an oversize issue they can just ask the passenger to check the size in the sizing thingie. If it doesn't fit, the passenger can then pay to check it. No one is held up at the gate. If someone doesn't want to check on it before boarding, they can try to get through the boarding proceedure butif that bag doesn't fit in the receptacled? It gets checked for the regular fee plus an addtl $10 penalty fee for holding everyone else up!
Once they start making people adhere to the rules, and possibly pay to have the bag checked at the gate, you will see fewer and fewer oversized bags used as carryons.
It's entirely possible to do it as you mentioned....have that carryon bag checked prior to getting to the boarding queue...mark that boarding pass with a check mark to show it meets all carryon size requirements.

 

[bianca]

I know that people like to rag on Spirit Airlines about all their additional fees, but honestly, they figured this stuff out a long time ago. They do actually have the bins immediately upon entering their check-in line to verify what size luggage you have ...... like pp suggested. They have both the carry-on size and the personal bag size ...... could not be easier. In addition, they make the cost of check-in luggage $5 cheaper per bag than the carry-on cost, again eliminating much of the carry-on luggage. This has dramatically improved the boarding process and we have found them to be pain-free compared to some of the legacy airlines.

 

[keishashadow]

it's true, the way the airlines nickel and dime us they are missing out on some revenue.

I do feel for those who have purchased a bag that is clearly marked 22 inches for carryon or 58 - 60 inches for checked (with the intent to abide by the rules) not realizing that often wheels/handle aren't included in the manufacturer's stated dimensions. I used same bag for years until AT decided I was over by 1/2 inch if they factored in the handle.At least I was able to use credit I had on file. Not sure what SWA's policy is or if AT's has changed since it was before the merger.