Southwest Carry-ons...

[TheDISneyFamily]

Has anyone who has flown Southwest recently had any problems carrying on a 24/25" suitcase? How strict are they? My luggage is 24" plus the wheels. We are packing my daughter's slim case computer and it won't fit in a 22" suitcase. (She's moving to Orlando) The computer has to go in the 24" and there's no way that we're going to check it. Do you think we'll be OK?

 

[snarlingcoyote]

You're probably not going to like this answer:

Go buy a laptop case that meets the regulations as per size and check your luggage if it is over 24". You will save yourself time and money from having to buy such a case at the airport if you just pony up, admit that your bag is over sized and get something appropriate for a laptop. With all of the back to school sales going on right now, if you look carefully, you can find something for under $50. (Heck, the most I've paid is $30.)

Good luck and good flying!

 

[locolala]

You're probably not going to like this answer:

Go buy a laptop case that meets the regulations as per size and check your luggage if it is over 24". You will save yourself time and money from having to buy such a case at the airport if you just pony up, admit that your bag is over sized and get something appropriate for a laptop. With all of the back to school sales going on right now, if you look carefully, you can find something for under $50. (Heck, the most I've paid is $30.)

Good luck and good flying!

I'm gonna have to agree with Coyote. I used to work for an airline and the bags that don't fit get shoved in the cargo area, and they aren't always careful about it. Get a backpack type laptop case or a normal briefcase style bag. You'll be able to carry that plus one carryon like a backpack or small duffle. That's what I fly with everytime I go somewhere.

 

[Tozzie]

Has anyone who has flown Southwest recently had any problems carrying on a 24/25" suitcase? How strict are they? My luggage is 24" plus the wheels. We are packing my daughter's slim case computer and it won't fit in a 22" suitcase. (She's moving to Orlando) The computer has to go in the 24" and there's no way that we're going to check it. Do you think we'll be OK?

I believe the size of your suitcase is too large. it won't fit in the overhead compartment and you will have to check the bag. At the point you find out it doesn't fit it will be too late to buy a bag at the airport.

 

[DebbieB]

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/baggage.html

>>>Southwest Airlines limits carryon bag dimensions to 10x16x24 inches. <<<

This would include wheels.

Can you find a tote bag to put the laptop in?

 

[kaytieeldr]

It doesn't sound like a laptop. I'm looking at my desktop computer right now, and yeah, I can definitely see it needing a 24"+ suitcase.

It might make more sense to ship (and insure) it.

 

[stitch34]

Good question - as just discovered a flooded basement here and moldy wet luggage and off to buy new myself. Wanted to go bigger than the 20" carry ons we had and was thinking of 24"... glad I read this... so that will be too big, huh?
what's the biggest you think I could go with? 21, 23? And is that correct, I need to measure it to include the wheels?

 

[DebbieB]

Southwest's carryon size is larger than some other airlines. Many are 21". I wouldn't go larger than that.

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

Thanks for the replies everyone. It's a Dell slim tower desktop, not a laptop. She was hoping to bring it. The dimensions of the computer are 16"x14"x4". I'll keep looking for a bag - maybe an overnighter? that will work. If I can't find anything, we will ship it down to her later. She has a laptop that she can take for now. We were just hoping to take the desktop with us so we could get it all set up for her. I noticed that AirTran's carry-on allowance is 55", which would work with the suitcase I wanted to use for the computer. It figures. We booked Southwest for the free baggage fees, and now I'm having trouble with the carry-on! LOL!

 

[NotUrsula]

Um, if it's 16" x 14" x 4" it should fit just fine in a standard 22" rollaboard, or even in a 20" inch rollaboard if it is full-width. Why are you thinking it won't fit in less than a 24"?

 

[bumbershoot]

My brother works for Cisco and travels, and quite often carries on various computer type things. Bringing on a desktop isn't uncommon (though his don't always look like a proper computer) in his world.

I mean, she could just put it in some sort of carrier/bag that is strong enough and that would be fine. Sure, she might need to carry it in her arms rather than use a strap, but I feel that that would be safer than putting into a wheeled suitcase that would bump bump bump all over the place.


"I noticed that AirTran's carry-on allowance is 55"

That's all well and good, but if it ends up too big to fit in the bin in some way, it would be checked. SW's allowances are very generous, and that size bag is actually bigger than you think. Just get something that matches the proper dimensions and it'll be fine. Or just put it in a few Ikea shopping bags (since now you have to buy them) with some sweaters or sweatshirts wrapped all around it (to protect it from bangs as she puts it in the bin or even under the seat...I'm always surprised at what I can fit under the seat!), have her carry it...it's all good.

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

Um, if it's 16" x 14" x 4" it should fit just fine in a standard 22" rollaboard, or even in a 20" inch rollaboard if it is full-width. Why are you thinking it won't fit in less than a 24"?

The dimensions of our 22" Skyway luggage are...

22": 21 x 13 x 8.5, w/ 2.75" expansion

and the 25" one I wanted to use...

25": 25 x 17 x 9.5, w/ 3" expansion

It's the width that kills it on the smaller bag. I think we've decided to just ship her computer down via UPS w/insurance. That way we won't have to worry about finding another bag & dealing with the airport security. Thanks for all the input! I appreciate it! We're going to have so much luggage, not having to deal with the computer in transit is a good thing.