SW and "Personal" Item

[ironz]

What are the dimensions of your backpack (while packed)? I can compare them to my laptop bag and then we will know for sure if it would fit (like I said, as long as you're in a middle or window--but with your flying issues, you might like an aisle seat? then I can't help with measurements).

OR..... I can come up to Chicago and then join y'all on your girls' weekend! That way I can fly with you and help you through it!

OK...just kidding....but seriously, that sounds like a 'niche' job someone could create. Just give me a little credit when you do.

 

[ironz]

People who do not follow the general provided rules are also the ones who delay boarding, take up additional storage, etc, this is inconsiderate to other passengers.

As the OP has modified their packing, I think this is a moot point now.

But even before she modified her packing....there was still a grey area of whether or not the bag would fit. If it were to fit, she is not being inconsiderate at all. And she is being very considerate to ask.

 

[safetymom]

I have said it before and I will say it again that most people will fly and never have a problem with their checked luggage. It seems to be more of a urban myth that all this luggage goes missing. I think they need to do something about all the people that drag luggage on the plane, can't get it into the overhead bin, and delay those people that did check their luggage.

 

[bavaria]

First of all, yes; I did make sure the backpack when standing upright next to my small carry on suitcase with the handles down is SMALLER than the carry on.

But it doesn't matter if it is smaller than your carry on 'suitcase' if that bag is 22 inches! It may well still be too large. The airlines allows one carry on AND one personal item.

And I agree with Safetymom - in DISWorld the drama of lost luggage seems overwhelming, but in the real world it isn't.

The OP has posted here many times about her fears and I don't think that it makes any sense for her to add to it. She has used very strong language to describe how she feels, and is obviously using quite a bit of medication to deal with it. Again, I point out her very first post where she was worrying about this. Bumber, I wouldn't put her in the same class of flyer as you, for instance.

If this was just an ordinary flyer I think that most of us would just say 'go ahead and try, but you may be turned away'. The past posting history of this poster has led me to believe that we are not dealing with the usual type of flying poster here.

 

[maxiesmom]

You commented about wondering if the lego bag was waterproof. Are you worried about the electronics you are taking to the park? If so, you can always rent a locker to keep them in. That will keep them safe, and give you a lot less to have to haul around.

Fwiw, I don't think a good sized backpack would fit underneat the seats. Most people with backpacks that I seen on the planes put them in the overhead compartments.

 

[disfan07]

I would say no to taking the suitcase and teh backpack. even if they let it on, it is not considered a personal item. so really it does not follow the rules.
My advice is to buy a small drawstring type bag (they seel them at sporting goods stores). Thats what I take with me for the parks because we are always there early morning before the rooms are ready. That bag held 3 water bottles, snacks, camera, epipens, medications, a sweatshirt and a hat. That bag can be put into your carry on adn than packed with what you need for the park when you get to your hotel.

I travel with a nebulizer, a box of nebulizer meds, 2 gallon sized ziploc bags of meds, a change of clothes, snacks, 2 books, my laptop adn a few dvds and i only take on a small rolling bag and a laptop bag. What are you taking on board that you need so much space?

 

[Swmr359]

Hey Op I flew for the first time in 15 years last month, I know what you are going through!
I only had one bag, a speedo backpack, it was stuffed and fit under the seat and in the overheads fine. I was on little Contenital and Airtran planes

16" x 8.5" x 18"
Have a good trip!

 

[TDC Nala]

As far as I am concerned (and as far as the airlines are concerned) a personal item is anything that fits underneath the seat. Don't know what difference it makes if it's a backpack, as long as it fits underneath the seat. No one on a plane has ever told me that my backpack is not a personal item. (there's a laptop in it, so is it considered a laptop case?) I was thinking if its 1) crammed with stuff and 2) has wheels on the bottom and a handle on top, it might not fit under the seat since the OP wasn't completely sure it would. But I wouldn't go so far as to advise that on a domestic US flight one should never use a backpack as a personal item.

 

[bavaria]

I think though that the difference here is the 'rolling backpack' - the frame etc makes it different from a regular backpack. Unless OP posts the dimensions we are all guessing - they range on various websites from 18 inches to 22 inches and I would suspect that even an 18 inch one with a frame and wheels wouldn't fit under all seats.

 

[dudspizza]

I think though that the difference here is the 'rolling backpack' - the frame etc makes it different from a regular backpack. Unless OP posts the dimensions we are all guessing - they range on various websites from 18 inches to 22 inches and I would suspect that even an 18 inch one with a frame and wheels wouldn't fit under all seats.

Will I be ok if I bring on a 22" roll aboard that I can put in the bin and a rolling bowling bag with only 2 bowling balls in it that I will try to shove under the seat in front of me?

 

[bavaria]

Depends. What size ?

(I'm not very familiar with bowling)

 

[kaytieeldr]

Now it's the handle that's worrisome. Do you have the exact, manufacturer-given, dimensions? Is it smaller than the official carryon size, when including the handle (I mean a closed handle of course)? You want to make sure it's small enough, and that the extras on the backpack aren't going to make it too big.

These two points you make were exactly what was on my mind when I asked the question to begin with.

First of all, yes; I did make sure the backpack when standing upright next to my small carry on suitcase with the handles down is SMALLER than the carry on.

But simply because your 'personal item' is smaller than the airline's one carry-on item size allowance in no way means it will fit completely under the seat in front of you.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Hey Op I flew for the first time in 15 years last month, I know what you are going through!
I only had one bag, a speedo backpack, it was stuffed and fit under the seat and in the overheads fine. I was on little Contenital and Airtran planes

16" x 8.5" x 18"
Have a good trip!

This! A bag with these dimensions - especially with a flexible shell and not stuffed full - will fit under most airline seats.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Depends. What size ?

(I'm not very familiar with bowling)

About ten inches in diameter, weighing 10 - 18 pounds each (too early in the morning to calculate that in kilos ). bavaria will have to do that herself.

 

[bavaria]

About ten inches in diameter, weighing 10 - 18 pounds each (too early in the morning to calculate that in kilos ). bavaria will have to do that herself.

Too late at night to do maths!

But 8kg is 16.6lbs, so let us say average 8kg, so ONE would be right at the limit in my world for total carry on.

And at 10 inches (close to 30cm) I fear that Duds' balls are most likely too big to fit under the seat.

 

[dudspizza]

About ten inches in diameter, weighing 10 - 18 pounds each (too early in the morning to calculate that in kilos ). bavaria will have to do that herself.

16.0 lb is the heaviest legal bowling ball...... lol

now a bowling pin weighs between 3lb 6 oz and 3lb 10 oz..... no metric system here.....

DUds

 

[ironz]

This! A bag with these dimensions - especially with a flexible shell and not stuffed full - will fit under most airline seats.

I have this backpack! Forgot about it! It is mushable and fits under the seat! and holds a lot of stuff.

yay for swimmers and triathletes!

I believe, based on the OP's siggy, that she was to leave today and I hope it all goes well.
I truly think the larger backpack wasn't the problem in and of itself, but the combination of the backpack with a rollaboard, and for the use of "needing 24 hours of clothes, etc" the rollaboard is awful big.

I can fit a laptop in the above pictured Speedo bag, with a couple of changes of clothes. (and swim goggles, and a bike helmet clipped to the side--I always carry on my triathlon race gear, except the bike, of course--which would be a whole other discussion!)

Anyway...I hope her trip goes ok.

 

[famsen]

Just an update: I just returned and everything went well with flying.
I truly wished I had brought my backpack. My Lego backpack did not cut it and I ended up purchasing a bigger bag at WDW. The backpack I was wondering about would have fit just fine and it would have held much more and been easier to carry. Well, live and learn. I will be bringing it next time I fly.
Thanks for all the help.

 

[ironz]

Glad the flying part went ok....as you fly more, maybe your fears will start to diminish.

Sorry if I misled you about any of the measurements. Maybe your larger backpack is more smushable than my laptop bag, as I know it's a close fit. But I did have good intentions when I sent you those measurements!

 

[dudspizza]

Just an update: I just returned and everything went well with flying.
I truly wished I had brought my backpack. My Lego backpack did not cut it and I ended up purchasing a bigger bag at WDW. The backpack I was wondering about would have fit just fine and it would have held much more and been easier to carry. Well, live and learn. I will be bringing it next time I fly.
Thanks for all the help.

Did you measure to see if my bowling balls will fit? Just kidding...... and I am probably the only one laughing...

Glad all went well.... I alway us a backpack with my laptop in it... works great.

Duds