Virgin Atlantic hand luggage - unusual shaped bag

[FelineVintage]

Hello fellow Brits!

Just wanted to pick some brains about hand luggage experiences. I have a round hard case (50s vintage, it's my thing) and I would like to use it as hand luggage but it is 16-17" in diameter making it outwith one of the dimension restrictions. Virgin were non-committal when asked and said it's down to staff on the day how they view it. I really don't want to check it and if I did decide to risk it I guess I could have it plastic wrapped to protect it but I just don't know how risky a risk it is that I have to resort to that.

Anyone had issues with hand luggage that's slightly awkward?

 

[queendisney]

TBH I don't find VA very consistent with their hand luggage rule. I have seen all sorts of sizes/shapes going on board that def do not comply with their rules. Also some check in staff ask to see and weigh your bags and others just don't. I think they have increased the weight allowance now but not sure about the size. Personally if you love your bag I wouldn't chance it..

 

[2Tiggies]

Vanda's experiences are pretty much the same as mine with regard to inconsistency in the approach. I have never been asked to weigh my hand luggage as far as I recall, but I have seen others being asked to put it on the scale. The problem with exceeding the dimensions is due to the size of the overhead storage. How much over the limit is the one dimension? I am assuming it is shorter in terms of length but due to the shape it is the depth that doesn't make the limit (?)

 

[Kath2003]

Personally if you love your bag I wouldn't chance it..

This - I also wouldn't take a bag I really loved as hand luggage. People shove their stuff around in those overhead lockers, often with little regard for others' belongings. Personally I'd take something I was much less fond of - we have found a good quality backpack to be a very valuable investment

 

[FelineVintage]

It's 3 inches over on one side, if it had a side, it's depth is under and the width is under one side too. It's 17 inches round and 7 inches or so deep. Restrictions are 14x21x9 Middle one may be a bit more off the top of my head.

I can just use a different bag I guess but sadly, my vanity prevents me using a backpack (although I do own one). Basically I dress in 50s vintage and reproduction every single day, I sound like a bit of a vain loon and I guess I am a bit!

Beautiful luggage may just have to stay at home and wait for a UK trip

 

[2Tiggies]

I'd probably take Kath's advice on this one. 3 inches might prevent the locker from closing and if that happens, they will check it with the hold luggage. If an item is going to be damaged, it's going to happen in the hold, not in the cabin so while not what you were hoping for, a different bag may save you a whole lot of stress. Can you get a nice hard shelled trolley case? I don't use a backpack. Well my camera bag is, but it goes into a trolley case.

 

[chmurf]

depends on which plane you fly.
Most long haul planes will accomodate your bag. Since bags are supposed to be inserted wheels first into the storage bin and the handle facing the "door", so the 22" dimension is the actual minimum depth of the bin.

so your bag will fit if it's wider dimension is 17"

but you'll notice that many passengers store their bags the wrong way.
when facing the bin, you should see the bags width (14") but many pax will put it along the biggest dimension. So instead of putting 3 bags in the bin, there is only room for 2 (or room for 4 if 6 would fit)

It can be war for a storage space (especially on US domestic flights where you need to pay to check a bag, but if you fly direct you won't be hit as hard by that luggage warfare)

So what you're facing is that, if you do not board first on your row, or the rows next to yours, then chances are the overhead bin has already been hogged by your fellow passengers.
If there is not enough space left, and even if your fellow passengers have oversize bags, your bag will end up with a pink tag (gate check)

if there is enough room for your bag, chances are the next passenger will try to ram that case of theirs into the bin to have it fit by force, and to avoid having it gate checked ... and you can imagine what it could do to your precious bag ...

bottomline : never take a nice bag on a plane, unless you want it damaged one way or the other (wether checked or carry on, same rule applies)

 

[FelineVintage]

Well, my dilemma has sort of been solved!

As well as the reminder about how inconsiderate fellow passengers are and they're never going to appreciate how awesome my vintage bag is I have just taken delivery of what I thought was one shiny new suitcase but I thought it was darn heavy for just one suitcase and I'd never get it under the weight! Opened it up to find a cabin case in there! So I have shiny new hold and cabin luggage but because it was a bargain and modern people can ram against it all they want

Off topic, also just took delivery of my new "park" sandals and I made a good online choice, they're fabulous and comfy and stylish enough for my precious self! Getting very excited!

 

[Shazzie B]

Well, my dilemma has sort of been solved!

As well as the reminder about how inconsiderate fellow passengers are and they're never going to appreciate how awesome my vintage bag is I have just taken delivery of what I thought was one shiny new suitcase but I thought it was darn heavy for just one suitcase and I'd never get it under the weight! Opened it up to find a cabin case in there! So I have shiny new hold and cabin luggage but because it was a bargain and modern people can ram against it all they want

Off topic, also just took delivery of my new "park" sandals and I made a good online choice, they're fabulous and comfy and stylish enough for my precious self! Getting very excited!

All sorted then, have a great time (comfy feet are a must!)

 

[Kath2003]

It's 3 inches over on one side, if it had a side, it's depth is under and the width is under one side too. It's 17 inches round and 7 inches or so deep. Restrictions are 14x21x9 Middle one may be a bit more off the top of my head.

I can just use a different bag I guess but sadly, my vanity prevents me using a backpack (although I do own one). Basically I dress in 50s vintage and reproduction every single day, I sound like a bit of a vain loon and I guess I am a bit!

Beautiful luggage may just have to stay at home and wait for a UK trip

We don't check bags so find backpacks best for dragging around with us (we connect, too) but pretty they are NOT! I started using them when travelling alone because they're easier when you have no one else to "watch" luggage whilst you grab a coffee, go to the loo etc. and it kinda stuck. Anyway, it sounds like you found a great solution so good job - Orlando is all about the practical

 

[FelineVintage]

We don't check bags so find backpacks best for dragging around with us (we connect, too) but pretty they are NOT! I started using them when travelling alone because they're easier when you have no one else to "watch" luggage whilst you grab a coffee, go to the loo etc. and it kinda stuck. Anyway, it sounds like you found a great solution so good job - Orlando is all about the practical

I do wish I could let it go enough to be entirely practical but I'm so adept at juggling my crazy bags along with all sorts of other things alone now that I manage well enough with a shoulder bag which is my sort of compromise for park practicality.

I am wishing the next week or so away now, I'd have been horrible had I booked it any earlier, there are some things I am not patient about and trips away is one!