SW: What if a carry-on wheel bag is slightly oversize?

[Seabean]

Southwest has a carryon luggage size rule of 10" x 16" x 24" max.

For years we've used a few that are 8" x 14" x 20" (the kind with the wheels and the pop-up handle) No problem.

We recently inherited a wheel-bag which is 9" x 17" x 25" (measured directly, but it's really more like 27" high if measured from the floor including the wheels)


Bluntly, will SW let this slightly over-sized bag to be carried on? How strict or lenient are they?



For some extra context, we're a family of 6, and this year we're seriously considering doing ALL carry-on. The other 5 wheel bags will be within the allowed size, but I'm wondering if this one bigger bag #6 will also pass? Thanks.

 

[eangel12]

Southwest has a carryon luggage size rule of 10" x 16" x 24" max.

For years we've used a few that are 8" x 14" x 20" (the kind with the wheels and the pop-up handle) No problem.

We recently inherited a wheel-bag which is 9" x 17" x 25" (measured directly, but it's really more like 27" high if measured from the floor including the wheels)


Bluntly, will SW let this slightly over-sized bag to be carried on? How strict or lenient are they?



For some extra context, we're a family of 6, and this year we're seriously considering doing ALL carry-on. The other 5 wheel bags will be within the allowed size, but I'm wondering if this one bigger bag #6 will also pass? Thanks.

They have been SUPER strict when we have traveled. I've watched them measure bags for carry on. Could just be PHL where we fly!? I wouldn't chance it!

 

[Seabean]

Thanks, yes we're also flying out of PHL.

Any recollection of how they were measuring bags? Were they laid down on their sides (possibly not including the wheels) or were they measuring them while they were standing on the ground (which also includes the wheels)


We also have another bag which is 24" if you measure it just from the edges, but is about 26" if you include the wheels. (never used it for carry-on though)

 

[sam_gordon]

There is no way to get a definitive answer online. Even if 50 people come on and say "you'll be fine", you might get a strict gate agent who requires you to check it.

ETA: Wheels are generally included in measurements.

 

[DebbieB]

Since SW doesn't charge for checked bags, if they say it is too big they will check it for free. Most likely that bag will not fit in the overhead wheels in. So it would have to go sideways, which means it is taking the overhead space for 3 bags.

 

[Lewisc]

Your bag isn't slightly oversized. It's 27" and the limit is 24". That suggests the bag will only fit in the bin lengthwise. As a result fewer bags will fit in the bin. It's considered rude to take bin space which could otherwise be used by other passengers. Full flight. Other passengers are likely to complain. Buy a smaller bag or check that bag.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Are you using ME? If so, I'd go ahead & check the oversize bag. Just make sure to pack stuff in that one that won't be needed till the next day.
We usually pack each other's stuff in different bags anyway - just in case one gets way laid. That way we each have enough to get us through a few days.
Let us know how it works out for you, and good luck.
Have a great time!

 

[Seabean]

Thanks folks. The 27" bag is not going to fly (literally). As for the one that's about 25-26"... I'm not inclined to take the chance.

We always print off our SW boarding passes at home beforehand, so the only agents we deal with are the TSA and then the gate agent just before walking down the jetway. Just out of curiousity though, are these gate agents who take the boarding passes the ones who would stop and measure carry-on bags?



We do have 6 wheel bags which fit well into the specified dimensions, so we'll likely take those.

This will be an interesting experiment - the tradeoff for having all carry-on is that we won't have to deal with curbside checkin (which we do at both PHL & MCO) nor waiting at the baggage carousel (which can be very frustrating at PHL)

 

[JAM113]

I thought there was usually an open top box that a carry on has to fit in. If the gate agent suspects it may be oversized, you just put it in the box to check.

 

[Lewisc]

We always print off our SW boarding passes at home beforehand, so the only agents we deal with are the TSA and then the gate agent just before walking down the jetway. Just out of curiousity though, are these gate agents who take the boarding passes the ones who would stop and measure carry-on bags?

Your kind of missing the point. An oversized carry on bag won't fit in the bin wheels in (or out). There might not be enough bin space for all the the bin bags. A bag which only fits lengthwise is taking space which belongs to other passengers. The FA might take the bag and check it. It is very rude to intentionally plan on taking extra bin space.

The limits have an inch or so smaller then necessary to accommodate passengers who didn't include the wheels or didn't do a good job measuring.

 

[JimS4210]

I hate to sound like a grumpy ("Get off my lawn") old man but this is a pet peeve of mine. This is one of the reasons that flying is such a bad experience anymore. There's nothing worse than being a late boarder (Zone 4, 5 or 6) and finding no room left for your one small carryon bag because some people use all of the available overhead space so they can avoid paying the $25 or don't feel like waiting at Baggage Claim.

We usually fly to Disney 3 to 4 times a year and it gets worse every time. If you can afford a Disney trip, you can surely afford $25 or $50 to check a couple of bags.

Off of my soap box...

Jim

 

[Kristie911]

If your bag takes up extra overhead space, someone isn't going to have room for theirs.

I flew with my DH for our honeymoon and when we boarded all the overhead space was taken. The flight attendant grabbed our carry-ons and said they would be checked. Guess what? I had to go the whole flight without so much as my purse because I couldn't keep my bag. All our money, electronics, even the book I was reading was gone and checked. She snagged it so fast I didn't even have a chance to ask to take a couple things out of it. We were stuck at our layover for 3 hours with NOTHING. I was furious. So yeah, it's kind of rude to try to get away with using oversized baggage when you KNOW it's oversized.

(Granted, in my case, it was an airline issue too, which I complained about, because she didn't even allow us a chance to get our items but the fact that the bins were completely full when there were still a couple of dozen boarders was more my point) There were people from the front of the plane going all the way in the back to store their items because the front filled so quickly.

 

[DebbieB]

I thought there was usually an open top box that a carry on has to fit in. If the gate agent suspects it may be oversized, you just put it in the box to check.

I don't think SW has that.

I hate to sound like a grumpy ("Get off my lawn") old man but this is a pet peeve of mine. This is one of the reasons that flying is such a bad experience anymore. There's nothing worse than being a late boarder (Zone 4, 5 or 6) and finding no room left for your one small carryon bag because some people use all of the available overhead space so they can avoid paying the $25 or don't feel like waiting at Baggage Claim.

We usually fly to Disney 3 to 4 times a year and it gets worse every time. If you can afford a Disney trip, you can surely afford $25 or $50 to check a couple of bags.

Off of my soap box...

Jim

SW gives 2 free checked bags per passenger, so it isn't a matter of avoiding the charge.

If your bag takes up extra overhead space, someone isn't going to have room for theirs.

I flew with my DH for our honeymoon and when we boarded all the overhead space was taken. The flight attendant grabbed our carry-ons and said they would be checked. Guess what? I had to go the whole flight without so much as my purse because I couldn't keep my bag. All our money, electronics, even the book I was reading was gone and checked. She snagged it so fast I didn't even have a chance to ask to take a couple things out of it. We were stuck at our layover for 3 hours with NOTHING. I was furious. So yeah, it's kind of rude to try to get away with using oversized baggage when you KNOW it's oversized.

(Granted, in my case, it was an airline issue too, which I complained about, because she didn't even allow us a chance to get our items but the fact that the bins were completely full when there were still a couple of dozen boarders was more my point) There were people from the front of the plane going all the way in the back to store their items because the front filled so quickly.

This happens very often. The fact is there is not enough overhead room for each person to bring a carryon. The people getting on last will have to gate check their luggage. Why didn't you have your purse out separate?

 

[seashoreCM]

If The flight attendant grabbed our carry-ons and said they would be checked. Guess what? I had to go the whole flight without so much as my purse because I couldn't keep my bag. All our money, electronics, even the book I was reading was gone and checked. She snagged it so fast I didn't even have a chance to ask to take a couple things out of it. y.

You don't ask to take a couple things out of it. You take a couple of things out of it on the spot without saying a word, as soon as you hear that the remaining carryons need to be checked. (Well, you could wait until you enter the jetway.)

Next time in a similar situation, ask to see the captain and the ground complaint resolution officer immediately. The gate agent or flight attendant does not have the right to snatch things out of your hand. Particularly if you had valuables or medicine in the bag, he violated the rules since those items are not supposed to be in checked baggage.

It would be too late to complain if you wait until you get off the plane and find things missing.

 

[paults]

SW---we don't use the overhead anymore, I just have my backpack carryon under my feet and check 1 bag . Before when I used the overhead and someone had there bag turned sideways because that's how it would fit I just turned that bag around and put mine in and sat down. I could care less if their bag fit or not they didn't care so just let the FA take care of it.

 

[jayhawk74]

Before when I used the overhead and someone had there bag turned sideways because that's how it would fit I just turned that bag around and put mine in and sat down. I could care less if their bag fit or not they didn't care so just let the FA take care of it.

If you were flying a Classic (the -300 or the -500) IMO you were being rude. That is because those aircraft have smaller bins and 95% of the bags only fit lengthwise. Also in the -700 the bins in the 1st few rows only hold bags lengthwise because those bins are smaller than the rest of the aircraft due to the shape of the fuselage. So not everyone who puts their bag lengthwise is being a bin hog.

 

[Seabean]

Thanks folks - I think I made it clear up in post#8 that I've decided against risking the "slightly oversize" wheel bags. We've already got 6 compliant bags under 24x16x10 which we'll use.

 

[teambeaman]

I have been on SW flights that were filled to capacity and they have asked everyone in the gate area to bring their wheeled bags over to the gate for measurement.

 

[JimboCh]

2 free checked bags are included in the price of your Southwest ticket price........check any bags in question and avoid the hassle and having to worry about it.

and I hear you about hassle it it is at the Baggage claim area......that is just the over all hassle of flying into any airport.......just expect delays and go with the flow......could be worse, you could be at WORK !

end of question.............

 

[DebbieB]

If you were flying a Classic (the -300 or the -500) IMO you were being rude. That is because those aircraft have smaller bins and 95% of the bags only fit lengthwise. Also in the -700 the bins in the 1st few rows only hold bags lengthwise because those bins are smaller than the rest of the aircraft due to the shape of the fuselage. So not everyone who puts their bag lengthwise is being a bin hog.

Part of the problem with SW is they allow up to 24". Most airlines only allow 21". Bags in between may not fit wheels in and have to go sideways.