Shutdown-Better to Check Bags?

[krissyh]

This is NOT political.
This is also disregarding checked bag frees as I have a SW Visa.

We all know what a nightmare TSA can be (usually is) at MCO even with Pre-check.
As long as the government is shut down and the airports are a mess, does anyone see any extra advantages to only carrying on a purse/backpack?

Wouldn’t it be great if there were a line for that? Or if the airlines chipped in by having free checked bags while the government is shut down to help with the delays?
Ohhhhh……. Just reasoned myself to a great idea.

 

[sam_gordon]

I will ALWAYS bring a carry on bag in addition to my backpack... at least on the way to my destination.

My backpack has my tablet, headphones, charger cords, 3:1:1 bag, glasses, medicines, laptop (when necessary), & laptop power supply. I might be able to put a single days worth of clothes, but not likely.

My carry on will have at least 24 hours worth of clothes (for me & DW if she's travelling), toiletry bag, slides, swimsuit, rain coat. I can put ~5 days worth of clothes in. If I'm travelling by myself, I don't need to check a bag.

Heading home with family (and we're checking other bags), I'll check the carry on.

And my CPAP. (separate carry on)

I bring my carry on for two reasons...
* I don't need to worry about airlines "misdirecting" my bag. I have everything with me.
* I don't need to stop at baggage claim, and possibly wait on my bags.

The shutdown will not change this one bit. I'm not sure why it should.

 

[msmayor]

IMO not checking a bag means it will be far easier to pivot if there are flight delays, and it's required to either find alternative transport or fly 10-24 hours later. At least you will have all your belongings, and don't need to try and retrieve a checked bag.

I fly on Dec 6th....I truly hope the shutdown is long over by then.

 

[mistysue]

I can't do the "just a purse" thing because I apparently travel much like Sam... Not checking computers, medication, CPAP, and the days worth of stuff in case a bag disappears.

If you can do it, I don't picture it would normally make things worse for you, but I don't think most people want to change. I mean you've seen the number of people who don't want to gate check even when offered because they want their stuff with them?

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

I would rather get to the airport earlier than have to check bags. I am team carry on all the way unless going to Hawaii or Europe/Australia for 10+ days. Even when we do go somewhere for 10+ days and check bags....we still take one carry on between the two of us with enough essentials to get us thru a few days...in case the checked bags go on their own adventure.

I think too even if 90% of people take only a purse or backpack...all it takes is that one family who seemingly has never heard of an airport....let alone been thru a checkpoint....to slow the whole line down to a crawl. MCO seems to get a lot of that so checking bags would be a crap shoot on whether it actually speeds anything up there.

 

[Lewisc]

Checked bags are screened by the TSA. Every checked bag is X Rayed, opened if necessary.

Charge for checked bags AND for bin bags would reduce TSA workload

 

[mistysue]

I would rather get to the airport earlier than have to check bags. I am team carry on all the way unless going to Hawaii or Europe/Australia for 10+ days. Even when we do go somewhere for 10+ days and check bags....we still take one carry on between the two of us with enough essentials to get us thru a few days...in case the checked bags go on their own adventure.

I think too even if 90% of people take only a purse or backpack...all it takes is that one family who seemingly has never heard of an airport....let alone been thru a checkpoint....to slow the whole line down to a crawl. MCO seems to get a lot of that so checking bags would be a crap shoot on whether it actually speeds anything up there.

That family is ALWAYS there somewhere. I think the worst we saw was the family with a double stroller packed like they were walking to the MK for a day who got to the front of security before trying to move or consolidate ANY of it. They ended up having to throw away half the stuff crammed in there.

 

[fla4fun]

I would think that checking a bag would be worse, and more easily lost in an understaffed and chaotic airport. If you can fly carry on only, I would. As others have pointed out, it’s much easier to make quick changes if all of your belongings are with you.