I just returned from my trip to Phoenix, and I just wanted to follow up with the whole carry-on bag situation.
I used the Large Duffel for my overhead bag and my Get Carried Away tote for my under the seat bag. I was able to fit everything for a four-day trip {with room to spare}, including my pillow, which I always bring because I cant sleep on a big fluffy pillow. If it werent for the pillow, Im convinced I could have packed enough for a week.
I was on four different planes 2 each way. On three planes, both bags fit perfectly right where I wanted them to be. The duffel fit in the overhead no problem, and the Get Carried Away bag fit under my seat every time. However, on my fourth plane, a very small plane from Minneapolis to Duluth, I ran into an issue of VERY small overhead bins the smallest Ive ever seen! I dont think my sons school backpack could have fit in there!
So of course my duffel didnt fit, but the Get Carried Away bag did. I was really worried about having to gate-check my duffel because I didnt want it to get ruined, but amazingly, it fit under the seat in front of me! I was very happy about that!!
I did have one problem that made me re-think the whole situation. Each bag was only about 17-20 pounds, so they didnt seem too heavy at first, until I had to find my gate in Minneapolis, which seemed to be about a mile away. My neck and side was starting to cramp up, and my lower back was threatening to lock up, which I often have trouble with. When we arrived at the gate, we learned the unfortunate news that the gate had been changed (lesson learned check the screens before you start walking!!), and we had to walk almost as far back the way we came. And we only had 50 minutes between flights! We were almost last to board, and my aunt had to gate check her rolling suitcase because there was no more room in the overheads for them. I was still able to find room for my duffel though.
So long story short, I survived, and saved myself $46 in bag fees by not checking a bag. But it was brutal trying to get through the MSP airport, so if you have an airport where you might have to get to a gate thats far away, especially in a short amount of time, it might be too much to use both the Large Duffel and the Get Carried Away as carry-on bags. But if you can handle it, it really worked great!
Thankfully, Ive already booked a flight with Southwest for my 10-day Disney trip in August, so I dont have top worry about bag fees this time! I think I will use the Get Carried Away tote for my carry-on. Its plenty big to fit everything, but by itself, its not too heavy. I also like that its got ten (?) different pockets to keep me organized, and you have the option to have the top zip shut or be completely open, since it has a zipper like a jacket that comes apart at the end!
Must step away from computer.....
