Questions about luggage etc...

[kaffinito]

Hi all,

I'm flying for the first time in 20 years (solo trip) and have a few questions for y'all.

1. Is there a thread for how to pack for air travel? I'm still a bit confused as to what exactly I should pack, how many and what types of bags etc... Some of the questions I have below could probably be answered on that thread if there is such a thing.

2. I smoke, but obviously can't on the plane. Or at the airport anymore for that matter. I saw on the TSA rules that lighters and matches were not permitted, yet have been able to carry my cigarettes through with no problem when taking my boys to the gate with a boarding pass. Are lighters really not allowed?

3. If you bring a carry on bag, Can you also bring a purse and a personal bag? or should you just put your purse in your personal bag? (More of an overnight bag in this case)

4. And finally, how do you know if the airline you are flying has curbside bag check or not? Do you just wander around outside to see if there do or not?

And that's it for now - thanks for any and all help!

 

[malibuconlee]

Well, lets see...

What airline are you flying? Each airline has it's own rules regarding cost of checked bags. Ex. Southwest allows two bags checked per ticketed passenger free within their weight limits. Whereas other airlines charge one fee for the first checked bag, and a higher fee for a second checked bag. Some offer discounts if you pay online in advance.

Lighters were banned for quite some time, but are now allowed. (side note...you should have seen the pile of lighters in Vegas right before the security check when this was going on!!)

Most airlines rules for carry on is one carry on bag plus one personal item such as a purse or laptop bag. The personal item needs to fit under the seat in front of you.

As for curbside check in. Depends on your airline and the airport you are flying out of. Most of the larger airports will have a skycap outside for all the major airlines.

Some specifics of who you are flying can help answer your questions.

OH and as for what and how much to pack you'll get a different answer from everyone. Some people do carry on only to avoid bag fees, and I will pay the fee not to have to mess with my bags. Plus I tend to over pack. OOPS.

 

[kaffinito]

Well, lets see...

What airline are you flying? Each airline has it's own rules regarding cost of checked bags. Ex. Southwest allows two bags checked per ticketed passenger free within their weight limits. Whereas other airlines charge one fee for the first checked bag, and a higher fee for a second checked bag. Some offer discounts if you pay online in advance.

Lighters were banned for quite some time, but are now allowed. (side note...you should have seen the pile of lighters in Vegas right before the security check when this was going on!!)

Most airlines rules for carry on is one carry on bag plus one personal item such as a purse or laptop bag. The personal item needs to fit under the seat in front of you.

As for curbside check in. Depends on your airline and the airport you are flying out of. Most of the larger airports will have a skycap outside for all the major airlines.

Some specifics of who you are flying can help answer your questions.

OH and as for what and how much to pack you'll get a different answer from everyone. Some people do carry on only to avoid bag fees, and I will pay the fee not to have to mess with my bags. Plus I tend to over pack. OOPS.

I'm flying AirTran out of DTW, (solo) and have seen baggage handlers by the curb - do I ask them?

So if I bring a large laptop bag on the plane with me, can I just stick a small purse in there too?

I was thinking about bringing my small carry on, but checking it through since it will have some items in it that can't go in a carry on according to the rules. Listerine and Benadryl can't go in a carry on, right?

Thanks so much for your help - I am so used to driving down and just bringing whatever I want that this concept of packing small is making me

 

[Missytara]

You will want to go on Airtran's website in order to view the regulations on baggage, as far as size, amount of bags, etc.

Here is the link: http://www.airtran.com/travel_information.aspx

Check out "Know before you go."

You will want to go to the TSA site to read up on what is allowed in carry-on and checked baggage.

Here is the link: http://www.tsa.gov/

The critical ones are liquids; there are very specific guidelines, unless you have them for medical purposes.

Skycaps are usually right outside the main door; they should be tipped for their services.

 

[DCTooTall]

General rule is "1 personal item and 1 carryon bag". so that would mean a purse and a carry-on, which could be a laptop, backpack, carryon roller bag... etc.

The biggest issue for either is the TSA's rules regarding what is allowed in a carryon.....IE, liquids.


I've still seen things saying that matches and lighters are not allowed, however as a smoker I've never had an issue bringing them past security. Some airports have smokers lounges in the secured area. (Atlanta has several of them in various terminals... and I know Tampa had one I went to where they basically had a door "outside" into a fenced in balcony in the terminal building.) I usually end up putting both my cigs and lighter in my carryon when I run thru the security check.


If you've walked your kids thru to the gate, then you are familiar with the security checkpoint.

As for what to pack... it really does depend on how long your trip is and what you want to bring. Some people also like to bring a bag which isn't completely full on the way down so that they have room for stuff they bought while in Florida.

 

[kaffinito]

Thanks all!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I saw on the TSA rules that lighters and matches were not permitted

No -check the rules again.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Strike-anywhere Matches - One book of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches are permitted as carry-on items, but all matches are prohibited in checked baggage.

A common lighter is allowed in carry-on:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_multi_image_with_table_0099.shtm

 

[chamonix]

Yep, read the TSA links, it is only certain kinds of lighters that are prohibited. Common lighters (like BIC) are fine. Regular matches are ok too. I carry lighters and matches all the time.

As for Listerine and Benedryl, both are allowed. Liquids must follow some rules, however, details here:
http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm

 

[kaffinito]

Thanks! I feel a little bit better about what I'm bringing now. I'll just do small bottles of the Listerine and Benadryl in the carry on, and the larger bottles in the checked bag.

My allergies are horrible, and I know I'll spend the first three days of my trip suffering unless I have my Benadryl!.