Soutwest - checked baggage size

[livibug]

First time flying on Southwest - June out of Columbus. Their fare was $300 cheaper and direct versus delta out of CVG. That was even including the early board charge!

How strict are they with checked baggage and size? Two of our suitcases with wheels are 63.5" (61" without wheels)

I get the limitations on the carry-ons as an issue of fitting in the bins, but are other peoples experiences with checked baggage?

 

[AngiTN]

It's weight they care about, not so much size.
The issue with the bags that large is they get too heavy pretty quick.

 

[DSLRuser]

You are fine with checked bags. They do watch the weight. it is very easy to have a big bag like that exceed 50 pounds.

I wish they were stricter about carry on bags. I fly a lot, and it tics me off to see people with 3 bags and a coat trying to carry on. Or the carry on that is way to bug and is intended to be checked.

 

[kamik86]

I have a bag that has to be close in size and they have never measured it so either they are REALLY good at eyeballing it or just weigh it. We make sure the bag weighs 45 lbs or less on our home scale so that we are sure it won't be overweight though.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You are fine with checked bags. They do watch the weight. it is very easy to have a big bag like that exceed 50 pounds.

I wish they were stricter about carry on bags. I fly a lot, and it tics me off to see people with 3 bags and a coat trying to carry on. Or the carry on that is way to bug and is intended to be checked.

I hear you on that. Last Nov we flew SWA MCO to CLE with a connection in Nashville. Our plane had a group of church musicians. About 12-15 of which had guitar cases they carried on the plane and you could not get anything else in the overhead where the guitars were! Come on SWA

 

[Woodview]

Did you ask the cabin crew to find space for your carry on bag ?

I would have removed the case from the space over my seat , placed my bag in the space , and ask the owner of the offending guitar bag to look for another space.

 

[Woodview]

In Europe the guitar cases would have been placed in the hold just as strollers & golf clubs are

 

[NotUrsula]

I hear you on that. Last Nov we flew SWA MCO to CLE with a connection in Nashville. Our plane had a group of church musicians. About 12-15 of which had guitar cases they carried on the plane and you could not get anything else in the overhead where the guitars were! Come on SWA

In Europe the guitar cases would have been placed in the hold just as strollers & golf clubs are

While US-based airlines generally prefer not to insist that stringed instruments be checked (they are apt to be adversely affected by cold/heat in the hold, and they don't want to deal with complaints about ruined expensive instruments), the usual practice for instruments such as violas or cellos is to have the passenger purchase an extra seat for the instrument. With that many musicians all hauling guitars, they probably should have insisted that they do the same.

 

[kristenrice]

I have a weird carry-on question...

I have a large backpack ( http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/...-convertible-junior/241465?productid=10209117 ) but it easily fits under the seat on Southwest. I have flown on 4 different SWA flights and it has fit easily under the seat on every flight. So, since it fits under the seat, can I still bring my 19"' rolling carry-on and put it in the overhead bin? I've always checked my rolling bag and used my small purse as my "personal item". It would be very easy for me to simply put my purse in the rolling bag and store it in the overhead bin.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Did you ask the cabin crew to find space for your carry on bag ?

I would have removed the case from the space over my seat , placed my bag in the space , and ask the owner of the offending guitar bag to look for another space.

You do realize that people can place their items in any overhead bin. The space above the seats you sit in is not your personal space. It is not up to you to remove other people's belongings so you have space near your for your stuff. I do realize you state this hypothetically, but you can't do that. Asking the FA is the best solution.