United Airlines question

[ShellyL]

We are flying United next month and I am wondering what your experience has been with carry ons. Our carry on is 47 linear inches and their site says maximum of 45 inches. I called to see if this would be a big deal and if they would measure my carryon and they said yes. I have never had anyone measure a carryon but not sure if they have gotten tighter about this stuff.
Thanks
Michele In PA

 

[DebbieB]

We are flying United next month and I am wondering what your experience has been with carry ons. Our carry on is 47 linear inches and their site says maximum of 45 inches. I called to see if this would be a big deal and if they would measure my carryon and they said yes. I have never had anyone measure a carryon but not sure if they have gotten tighter about this stuff.
Thanks
Michele In PA

Worse comes to worse, they will make you check it at the gate.

 

[ShellyL]

I am trying to have everyone take a carry on because of the price of checking luggage. With the 7 of us we can tend to take a lot of luggage and I thought this would perhaps make the kids pack a little lighter and we would only check 2 bags. Thanks!

 

[DebbieB]

Even if the luggage is within regulation, you might have to gate check. With the luggage fees, many people are bringing carryons rather than checking it. Almost every flight I've been on recently had people not being able to find space for their carryons and having to take it back to the front to gate check. They do not charge for gate check. I personally think they should if the bag is not within regulation, it's not fair to those who follow the rules.

 

[ShellyL]

I don't know what you mean by gate check it.

 

[DebbieB]

I don't know what you mean by gate check it.

They put a tag on the luggage and leave it at the end of the jetway by the plane door, where a baggage handler picks it up and puts it under the plane. Just like they do with strollers. In most cases, you have to go to baggage claim to get it at your destination. For regional jets (50 to 75 seats), they will bring it back to the jetway at the destination.

 

[rwdavis2]

Depending on how full the flight is and where your boarding position is there may not be any overhead room to store a bag. BUT, United usually asks for volunteers to gate check the luggage and they normally do not charge you a checked bag fee for that. It is free. So take the bags to the gate and if there is no room on board it should be checked for free.

 

[ShellyL]

My biggest concern is the carry on being and 1 or 2 over the size limit. I guess I will have to see and if it needs checked it needs checked.

 

[rwdavis2]

My biggest concern is the carry on being and 1 or 2 over the size limit. I guess I will have to see and if it needs checked it needs checked.

Just carry it n and see. Mthe worst that can happens is that it gets checked at the gate. They rarely check the size before you get on the plane. Depends on how busy they are.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I'm a UA 1K, so I have a lot of experience with flying with a carry-on. They don't usually measure them, but they can. The measurements are set for a reason; if your bag is too long or too tall, it won't fit in the overhead bins.

I have often heard UA gate agents offer to gate check your bag for free when the flight is going to be full. I have also often see later boarders having to gate check their bags because the bin space is full.

OP, I suggest you use luggage which fits the size limits.

 

[LilyWDW]

Purchase luggage that fits within the limits. They don't always check the size, but I have seen them do it. Why even deal with the possibility? Just follow what the airlines have set.

 

[goofyfigment]

In September Delta was measuring so I'm sure everyone is probably going to start measuring since everyone seems to be going the carryon route these days

 

[anonymousegirl]

If the 1 or 2 inches is in the height of the bag (bottom to top, or wheels to handle) then the bag will probably not fit in the overhead. Ditto if the bag is stuffed to bulging. Then to make it fit, you turn it sideways, and now you are taking up space for two carry ons, depriving someone else of the ability to store their bag.
I would check that bag as well. $40 or $50 (roundtrip cost of checking bag) is going to give you peace of mind as well as playing fair with the rest of the passengers.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I always fly United, not because I think it's the best, it's just the limited choice in my area. Anyway, I can say that United always makes an announcement that the flight is full and even before boarding starts, they are asking to check carry-ons at the gate. With luggage fees, most people just do carry-ons and the overhead bins fill quickly. I've had two instances when getting to the airport to check in for fly that a United employee was standing where you enter for the line and was placing peoples carry-ons in that spot where they advertise what size it should be and how it should fit.

 

[ShellyL]

I am just planning on another whole suitcase and forgetting the carryon. I would be mad if I had to check it and I didn't have the big one and jammed stuff in it. thanks for all of your input from everyone!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

In September Delta was measuring so I'm sure everyone is probably going to start measuring since everyone seems to be going the carryon route these days

I wish..

And then when your carryon is a trunk I think you should be charged twice the fee to gate check it. I see folks rolling 26" and larger suitcases to the gate to get them checked for free.. which just ties up the boarding for the rest of us.

But I fly Delta almost weekly and can't recall the last time I saw them make even a token measure to enforce their carryon rules.