What's Your Carry-on Bag?

[NYEmomma]

I'm trying to maximize the amount we can get into our carry-on and personal bags (there will be three of us -- me, DH & 2yo DD) to try to keep our checked baggage to only one bag so we can avoid the luggage fees at Airtran.

It's been a while since we've traveled and could use some new luggage so I'm hoping you guys would be able to suggest some good carry-on bags!! I want something that's easy to carry & to get into and won't spill its contents out all over the place. Also something that will fit comfortably under the seat or in the overhead compartment. I don't want to be one of those tools that makes a back-up when they try to shove their too-big bag into the overhead compartment.

Any recommendations???

 

[Brian Noble]

I have a TravelPro 22" suiter. Recent incarnations of this bag are not quite as roomy as they were in the past, but they are lighter and a bit better constructed.

However, if you are packing only carry-on, you need to think *light*. Pack as little as you think you can get away with, and then get rid of more stuff. I always stay somewhere with in-unit washer/dryer, so I deliberately under-pack and do a load or two during the trip. If you aren't ready to pack *light*, bite the bullet and get at least one bag that you'll check. The bag check fee can be worth it.

 

[Missytara]

I'm trying to maximize the amount we can get into our carry-on and personal bags (there will be three of us -- me, DH & 2yo DD) to try to keep our checked baggage to only one bag so we can avoid the luggage fees at Airtran.

It's been a while since we've traveled and could use some new luggage so I'm hoping you guys would be able to suggest some good carry-on bags!! I want something that's easy to carry & to get into and won't spill its contents out all over the place. Also something that will fit comfortably under the seat or in the overhead compartment. I don't want to be one of those tools that makes a back-up when they try to shove their too-big bag into the overhead compartment.

Any recommendations???

You can check the Airtran website for the measurements you are allowed to bring with carry-ons.

You are allowed one bag that fit under the seat in front of you and the carry-on must fit in the overhead bin from front to back - not side to side.

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

You can also try using the vacuum seal bags for your carry on. This will allow a little more space by sucking all the air out of socks and other similar material.

 

[goofy4tink]

I routinely use a medium sized LLBean rolling duffle. It fits the carryon size perfectly. And, I can pack for a 4 night stay in it...no checked bag needed. BUT...I am a light packer.
That bag fits perfectly in the overhead. I also have a Vera Bradley lrg backpack that I store my electronics in, as well as anything I may need for the actual flight.

 

[keishashadow]

I use large vera duffle in overhead bin, haven't been questioned thus far, it's pliable and have never had issue stowing it.

My carryon is vera diaper bagthat does double duty when i have my GD, looks just like their totes.

 

[Thumper_Man's Wife]

http://www.costco.com/Browse/ProductSet.aspx?Prodid=11626541&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|90608|62823&N=4047419&Mo=15&No=13&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=62823&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

DH and I recently bought these duffle bags for carry-ons for our upcoming trip to Vegas...We have the bigger ones already and we love them. They hold a ton and still are comfortable and easy to carry/roll...Plus not too badly priced either at Costco. They don't have many color options, but if they can carry all my junk, then thats all that matters to me. I also second what a pp mentioned regarding the vacuum seal bags. We use these on almost every trip we take and they are a lifesaver. Adds tons of room and not a ton of weight.

 

[NYEmomma]

I think I might just be trying to justify buying a Vera Bradley Weekender.

But seriously though, thanks for the suggestions. I do have one carry-on bag that goes with our luggage set that always fits great under our seats. But that's only one little bag & there's 3 of us that need carry-ons + personal bags so I need to pick up some more. I have a great, roomy Vera Bradley tote, but it doesn't have a zipper close and I just know I'm going to have something fall out of it.

I'm planning on using vacuum bags for our clothes in our large suitcase, plus I'm shipping toiletries plus the few things we'll need for DD (pull-ups for the evening, sound machine, nightlight, snacks). But by nature I'm an over-packer, so I want to maximize all the space that I'll have... and I'm a cheapskate so I'm trying to limit those $25 baggage fees. Plus, I want to leave some wiggle room for souveniers!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Vera has a new Weekender on steroids... The Grand Traveler. Made for the overhead bin.

I think I might just be trying to justify buying a Vera Bradley Weekender.

But seriously though, thanks for the suggestions. I do have one carry-on bag that goes with our luggage set that always fits great under our seats. But that's only one little bag & there's 3 of us that need carry-ons + personal bags so I need to pick up some more. I have a great, roomy Vera Bradley tote, but it doesn't have a zipper close and I just know I'm going to have something fall out of it.

I'm planning on using vacuum bags for our clothes in our large suitcase, plus I'm shipping toiletries plus the few things we'll need for DD (pull-ups for the evening, sound machine, nightlight, snacks). But by nature I'm an over-packer, so I want to maximize all the space that I'll have... and I'm a cheapskate so I'm trying to limit those $25 baggage fees. Plus, I want to leave some wiggle room for souveniers!

 

[SaraJayne]

This is my carry-on.



It's a VB small duffel.

 

[TaraPA]

I think I might just be trying to justify buying a Vera Bradley Weekender.

I use the Vera Weekender as my personal item. It's soft so even packed full, I can stuff it under the seat in front of me! I use a 21-22" rolling suitcase as my 1 suitcase. I can go for a 4-5 day trip with that, anything longer I will have to do laundry at the resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

This is my carry-on.



It's a VB small duffel.

I use that if I don't need a lot...basically just using it for regular old carryon. I use the LLBean rolling duffle if I have to haul something that I don't want to lose, or if I'm trying to get away with no fees.
Last April my rolling duffle carried the majority of my cruise fish extender gifts...had to be about 75 of them in that one bag.

But in normal circumstances, I use that small VB duffle...actually have about 5 other pieces that match it..just for WDW trips!!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-etech-mini-21-wheeled-duffel/68256?productid=837488

We just ordered and received three of these 21" bags. They roll and they are supposed to fit in the overhead compartment.

We used to each take and check a 25" bag. But that's 3 bags fees both ways. So we are downsizing. I'm planning on doing a load or two of laundry half way through the week. We are going to Disney in Jan.

We each get a personal item too. DH is taking his netbook. DS is taking his Mario DS bag. I'm taking my purse. I got a new small backpack purse from bagallini (also ordered through ebags). I wish someday to go to the parks absolutely bag free, but I doubt it will ever happen.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Oops, forgot to say. We also purchased 15 inch rolling bags that were advertised especially to fit under the seat. And they do, however, they were right in front of our toes a bit and one attendant had a cow. She never noticed it until the end of the flight and she told us they were not acceptable. Boo. I'm not sure how many flights we have taken them on and no one has ever said anything because they indeed fit under the seats.

This lady just didn't like that an inch or two came out near our feet.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

When I need to bring my work laptop or larger D-SLR I use a Samsonite Silhouette 15 inch. It will fit under the seat without issue if there is zero overhead bin space by the time I board. It doesn't stick out at all.

Oops, forgot to say. We also purchased 15 inch rolling bags that were advertised especially to fit under the seat. And they do, however, they were right in front of our toes a bit and one attendant had a cow. She never noticed it until the end of the flight and she told us they were not acceptable. Boo. I'm not sure how many flights we have taken them on and no one has ever said anything because they indeed fit under the seats.

This lady just didn't like that an inch or two came out near our feet.

 

[kristenrice]

I have a 19" rolling carry-on from Eddie Bauer that we received 9 years ago as a wedding present. I use that as my carry-on...fits perfectly in the overhead compartment and easily holds 2-3 days worth of stuff for my family of 4. I stuff it with packing cubes from eBags. If I needed a replacement, this is what I would get...
http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-weekender-convertible/143101?productid=1370035

Then, for my personal item, I have this...
http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/kalya-town-square/57682?productid=1246634

I did a "practice pack" and I was able to pack the following in this bag...
1) A medium eBags packing cube (containing 3 prs undies, 3 tees, 3 prs shorts, tank/shorts PJ set, bra and a pair of socks)...essentially, three days of clothes.
2) 10" netbook, power cord and wireless mouse
3) Kindle
4) iPod classic
5) Noise-cancelling headphones
6) Small toiletry case containing toothbrush, hairbrush, 2 BareMinerals makeups w/ brushes, and my EarPlanes
7) Wallet
8) Folder/Envelope with my "documents"
9) 3-1-1 bag
It is a bit of a tight fit, but not a struggle. It carries very well and it is well within the dimensions that AirTran allows to fit under the seat. I'm going to use this and my small waistpack (which I will put my wallet, phone, iPod and Kindle in) on my flight to Orlando. I'm doing the business class upgrade at check in so I will get two checked bags free. I'm just going to check my rolling carryon (since it will be mostly food, laundry detergent and my bulkier clothes) and let DME deal with it. On the way home, I am not going to upgrade so I will just use it as my carry-on. I'll pack the waistpack in it if they consider it "luggage".

 

[robinb]

We all have rolling suitcases. I have a 22" American Tourister, my DH has a 22" Travelpro and my DD has a 20" Liz Claiborne. I have had the AT forever and it's on it's last legs, so I'm in the market for a new one. We bought the Travelpro and Liz Claiborne at Macy's when they had their big Thanksgiving luggage mega-sale a couple years ago. My DH is a "road warrior" and his suitcase looks like new. You can pick up reasonable rolling suitcases at a reasonable price at TJ Maxx or Marshalls. I would bring a tape measure so you can measure the bags. I have also heard good things about Kirkland bags at Costco, but I seem to remember that the current offerings are not as good as they once were.

My personal items are a purse and a laptop backpack.

 

[under da UP]

well I just ordered this sweet 20.5" samsonite spinner from luggage pros.

Can't go wrong with the mars red. Although I would have preferred a lime green or cerulean blue or hunters orange/charcoal We don't leave for WDW til Feb but I thought $136 for a bag that retails for almost 3 times that was too cheap to pass up. I am so glad WBC has a washer and dryer so i can pack light and avoid baggage fees.

Hope it doesn't disappoint!!

 

[ToddyLu]

I too use Vera...the Miller bag, and smaller backpack. MIL likes the Villager. Of course they have to match each other

 

[canopynut66]

I'm trying to maximize the amount we can get into our carry-on and personal bags (there will be three of us -- me, DH & 2yo DD) to try to keep our checked baggage to only one bag so we can avoid the luggage fees at Airtran.

It's been a while since we've traveled and could use some new luggage so I'm hoping you guys would be able to suggest some good carry-on bags!! I want something that's easy to carry & to get into and won't spill its contents out all over the place. Also something that will fit comfortably under the seat or in the overhead compartment. I don't want to be one of those tools that makes a back-up when they try to shove their too-big bag into the overhead compartment.

Any recommendations???

We do not do carry on . We do have a large leather purse that has our documents etc in it and any meds we need and that is enough.Have a 29 inch suitcase and shoulder bag and if you have the travel points you can upgrade to first class and pay nothing for checked luggage on Air Tran. Any checked luggage then goes straight to your room if your staying on property and taking ME to resort. I need to get new luggage and want 29 ' as can get it all in for two weeks and do no so that works for us