Questions about Continental, Carry-Ons, and Changing Planes

[sophie832]

DH and I are flying Continental to WDW in December. The flight was paid for with credit card points, and it is the first time either of us is flying on Continental. We're changing planes in Houston (the larger airport, not Houston Hobby) on the way there and back.

Continental charges the dreaded $25 per checked bag, so we were thinking of doing just carry-on. Normally, our carry-on bags are duffel bags that are very cumbersome to carry. I'm always envious of people with the rolling luggage. We both have rolling suitcases that we got at Costco, and they supposedly met the carry-on size regulations. I checked Continental's website, and measured...seems like they would barely meet the requirements (if we don't use the expansion pockets, and the wheels are pushing the limit). I assume wheels are included in the size limits on Continental's site. So, my first question is: do a lot of you try doing carry-on with those larger pieces of rolling luggage that barely meet the requirement? If so, how did it work out?

If we are forced to gate-check our luggage (for whatever reason), what are the chances it will get lost in the plane change? Or...will we have to go pick it up at baggage claim and re-check it for the next flight? We have over an hour between each flight, but it still seems way too tight to be picking up luggage and re-checking it.

I guess our other option would be to do small carry-ons with our essentials, and then check 1 bag between the 2 of us that has our extra clothes/shoes. Does that seem more reasonable? Then it would only be $25.

 

[DebbieB]

DH and I are flying Continental to WDW in December. The flight was paid for with credit card points, and it is the first time either of us is flying on Continental. We're changing planes in Houston (the larger airport, not Houston Hobby) on the way there and back.

Continental charges the dreaded $25 per checked bag, so we were thinking of doing just carry-on. Normally, our carry-on bags are duffel bags that are very cumbersome to carry. I'm always envious of people with the rolling luggage. We both have rolling suitcases that we got at Costco, and they supposedly met the carry-on size regulations. I checked Continental's website, and measured...seems like they would barely meet the requirements (if we don't use the expansion pockets, and the wheels are pushing the limit). I assume wheels are included in the size limits on Continental's site. So, my first question is: do a lot of you try doing carry-on with those larger pieces of rolling luggage that barely meet the requirement? If so, how did it work out?

If we are forced to gate-check our luggage (for whatever reason), what are the chances it will get lost in the plane change? Or...will we have to go pick it up at baggage claim and re-check it for the next flight? We have over an hour between each flight, but it still seems way too tight to be picking up luggage and re-checking it.

I guess our other option would be to do small carry-ons with our essentials, and then check 1 bag between the 2 of us that has our extra clothes/shoes. Does that seem more reasonable? Then it would only be $25.

If the overheads are full, they will check them to your final destination, you will not have to recheck them. I travel alot for work and find it a pain to have a large carry-on, you have to drag it around the airport then find a spot on the plane. I'd rather just pay the $25 and check it.

 

[mousermerf]

You can also get a CO-branded credit or debit card or buy a presidents club membership to avoid the fee.. the easiest way is to become a CO frequent flyer with status though - suppose you can cram in a few mileage runs to Hawaii before your vacation..?

 

[seashoreCM]

If what you want to carry on exceeds the quantity or size limits, then you may have to pay to gate check.

I'm always envious of people with the rolling luggage...

On a few airlines (I forget which) there is a greater chance of being forced to gate-check bags, regardless of size, that possess wheels.

In all cases, size measurements include the space occupied by wheels and handles.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If your luggage is gate checked, it will be transferred to your next flight.

If you have the smallest Kirkland brand (Costco) rolling luggage, I can tell you that it barely fits in a lot of overhead bins and won't fit if it is overpacked even a little bit. I have a smaller carry-on now, but used to have this bag and the last time I used it several years ago, I had to struggle to fit in in the overhead bin on an American Airlines flight.

 

[sophie832]

Thank you for all the responses. It looks like we should either go with non-rolling, smaller carry-on bags...or we should just check a bag and deal with the cost. We have over 3 months, so I don't know why I'm already thinking about packing, but I am.