Southwest baggage size

[DANAW]

We have a few standard size Samsonite pieces of luggage. According to the Southwest web site, the largest suitcase they will accept (without paying an add'l fee) is 62 inches (length + width + height). Ours measures 30' x 12" x 20". Do you think we will have a problem??? Otherwise, its $50 per piece extra! It seems everyone has this size suitcase, so I hope we are OK!
Thanks!

 

[CarolA]

Unless my math is wrong your is fine. It is exactly 62" total. Make sure that the mega suitcase isn't over the weigh limit. (I think it is still 75 lbs, but rumor has it they are going to 50 so check the web.)

 

[DANAW]

CarolA
Thanks for the info. The weight has gone down to 50 lbs...I checked the web. We will have to weight it before we leave.

 

[madge]

CarolA
Thanks for the info. The weight has gone down to 50 lbs...I checked the web. We will have to weight it before we leave.

ack! I'm glad I checked here BEFORE I started packing this afternoon....I would have HATED to get to the Nashville airport Monday with a 60+ pound suitcase

 

[disneyldwjr]

Use the skycap, if your flight is direct, then you would be amazed at what gets onboard via the skycap. It is well worth the tip to the skycap.

 

[DANAW]

Use the skycap, if your flight is direct, then you would be amazed at what gets onboard via the skycap. It is well worth the tip to the skycap.

That is a great idea. Thanks...So, if we print our boarding passes at home, and check our luggage with a skycap, we dont need to re-check in again, since we already have our boarding passes, right?

 

[CarolA]

This idea has a few major flaws.... Apparently at some airports the SW skycaps are SW employees so they might still make you pay.
Also, if for any reason you have to deal with a change (weather cancellations etc) you have to go inside and there you are with the overweight luggage.

 

[disneyldwjr]

This idea has a few major flaws.... Apparently at some airports the SW skycaps are SW employees so they might still make you pay.
Also, if for any reason you have to deal with a change (weather cancellations etc) you have to go inside and there you are with the overweight luggage.

I have yet to have that happen, luckily, and I have flown from many airports (certainly not all) on SWA. Most of the skycaps at the majors work for iindependent companies.
In fact, I have never seen an advertisment for a skycap on the SWA website for jobs. I have yet to encounter a weather delay or any delay at all, so, I have not faced that problem. Good points however, but, I am willing to gamble on the skycaps and good weather and a BIG tip.

 

[disneyldwjr]

That is a great idea. Thanks...So, if we print our boarding passes at home, and check our luggage with a skycap, we dont need to re-check in again, since we already have our boarding passes, right?

Right.

 

[jarestel]

I have yet to encounter a weather delay or any delay at all

You must be the luckiest traveller in the world!

 

[disneyldwjr]

You must be the luckiest traveller in the world!

I am lucky, but, not the luckiest. If it makes you feel better I have had flights cancelled because of weather, before I left for the airport. The hurricanes in Sept. are a great example.

 

[Forevryoung]

I travel SWA all the time (and have encountered weather delays ugh ). They have never charged me extra for my suitcase(s) even if they were probably oversized. If you have more than one bag rearrange stuff so that there is some heavier stuff in the smaller bag.

 

[Lewisc]

The old large Samsonite bags are heavy empty. I think around 20 lbs. You also may have trouble fitting the bags in the trunk of your car. I'd consider buying new luggage. If you want to use your existing luggage buy a medium size nylon duffle bag. Stick it in a suitcase and use it to transfer stuff if you're over weight.

 

[DANAW]

Our samsonites are nylon and are only 2 years old. But I guess the size of them alone will make them heavy. But I paid a lot for them and dont want to buy new ones!! I will just have to pack light!

 

[CarolA]

I would think SW is planning to tighten up on the weight limits since they did just lower from 75 to 50 pounds.

Personally I thought all Skycaps were independent, but I was told that the skycaps at a least a few airports are SW employees (The folks on this board were so determined to prove me wrong that they called SW and asked.... I think this was to avoid the tip!)

 

[Liz]

Thanks for posting this. I made note of it for my trip the end of May. Do you know how many pieces of luggage are allowed per person?

Thanks!

 

[Blondie]

Well this is not good news for me! I have two of those large black roller suitcases that are indeed heavy even when they're empty. I use one suitcase for me and DH, and one for my two boys.

Looks like I'll be weighing them before we leave!

 

[DrTomorrow]

Interesting article on this in Sunday's Arizona Republic. It discusses how SWA is the last to impose the 50 lb limit, and has a nice chart on how many checked bags, the size limits and overweight bag fees for many airlines. Also has some helpful hints....

 

[DMRick]

I have yet to have that happen, luckily, and I have flown from many airports (certainly not all) on SWA. Most of the skycaps at the majors work for iindependent companies.
In fact, I have never seen an advertisment for a skycap on the SWA website for jobs.
**********
I don't think you would see an advertisement for a skycap on the swa website, since they use their regular check-in employees to skycap. At least at both Orlando, and the few occasions they set up outside at Albany.

 

[disneyldwjr]

I have yet to have that happen, luckily, and I have flown from many airports (certainly not all) on SWA. Most of the skycaps at the majors work for iindependent companies.
In fact, I have never seen an advertisment for a skycap on the SWA website for jobs.
**********
I don't think you would see an advertisement for a skycap on the swa website, since they use their regular check-in employees to skycap. At least at both Orlando, and the few occasions they set up outside at Albany.

Be that as it may, I have never seen sky cap in a job description either.
Orlando's skycaps are independents. They just wear the SWA hats/logos to let people know who they are servicing.