Will my carry on be allowed?

[pinkprincess30]

We fly on JetBlue in two days. I just discovered my carry on bag is 24" long, and JetBlue says 22" is the maximum. Do you think there's a chance they'll let it slide? If they tell me I must gate check the suitcase will I have to pay for that? I'm trying to avoid the last minute search for a carry on but I don't want to be dinged the extra $25 at the gate either. TIA!

 

[dis_guy]

There's no way of knowing....but your bag is too big, so yes you may be forced to gate check it and the airline would likely be within it's rights to charge their checked bag fee. You won't make any friends with your fellow passengers if it won't fit into bin wheels first, either. I wouldn't chance it. Maybe just check that one and take a legal sized one into the cabin. I've seen smaller ones (19 inch) gate checked because the gate agent thought it was over filled. It was on United and yes, it was my bag. No point arguing. For the record, the worst airport for forcing gate checking, that I have seen, is MCO when it's crazy busy.

 

[Alesia]

Save yourself some stress and bring a different bag.

 

[Tonberry]

I gotta agree. Take a different carry on. Even if they do let it pass on your way to MCO, you may have to gate check it on your way back home.
Look at it this way, you've probably payed a lot to go to Disney, so extra $25 to check your bag is a drop in the bucket.

 

[n2mm]

We flew home from mco on Jetblue in May and they made everyone boarding with carryon to stop and put their bags in the measurement bin. We were a full flight. They did offer anyone prior to boarding gate check their bag for free. It took forever to board. We just stayed in our seat until called at the end (row 8).

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Use another bag; your is too long and won't fit in the overhead correctly. There is a reason for size limits.

 

[megster1123]

OP - is your bag soft sided? Like a duffle or canvas bag? If it can be smoothed down to fit within the required measurements you'll be fine. If its a wheeled bag or something that can't be made smaller then you're probably out of luck.
Honestly, if it's only $25 to check it at the gate...that's not a considerable charge and might be worth a try.

 

[nacho113]

OP - is your bag soft sided? Like a duffle or canvas bag? If it can be smoothed down to fit within the required measurements you'll be fine. If its a wheeled bag or something that can't be made smaller then you're probably out of luck.
Honestly, if it's only $25 to check it at the gate...that's not a considerable charge and might be worth a try.

On the other hand...if you get dinged $25 each way to check it, might as well put that $50 towards a new legal size bag before you leave and save the hassle.

 

[rigs32]

I don't mind gate checking my bag as it's always been free. I carry on only to avoid baggage fees. When I fly SW, I often bring only my purse on board.

 

[megster1123]

On the other hand...if you get dinged $25 each way to check it, might as well put that $50 towards a new legal size bag before you leave and save the hassle.

$50 to check a bag roundtrip is a bargain compared to most airlines..especially for getting hit with checking at the gate. I don't know if you could buy a quality bag at $50? If it were me I'd stick with trying to make it work with the bag.

 

[n2mm]

Actually for Jetblue it only cost $20 if you pay at the Kiosk or online. Only at the counter/gate does it cost $25. If you pay for luggage when you buy your ticket it only cost $15.

 

[wilkeliza]

Just a heads up at many airports now Jetblue makes you check before getting in the security line. Their check bins are actually smaller than what will actually fit as M has a bag we have always brought as a carey on and has fit in every plane (except those smaller commuter plains) and the 1 time we were told to check at the bin it didn't fit. They tried to make M take it back to check it and pay but they let us try it when we said we had flown many times with it in overhead wheels first so was unsure why it didn't fit in their bin. Come to find out the check bins at the front are for the smallest aircrafts in their fleet so they are several inches shorter than the airbus overhead bins.

 

[pinkprincess30]

OP - is your bag soft sided? Like a duffle or canvas bag? If it can be smoothed down to fit within the required measurements you'll be fine. If its a wheeled bag or something that can't be made smaller then you're probably out of luck.
Honestly, if it's only $25 to check it at the gate...that's not a considerable charge and might be worth a try.

It's a soft sided suitcase with wheels. The wheels are what put it over the limit. I will have to take a different bag. I agree it's not worth the stress! I think it would be $25 each way. I'd rather save myself the $50. Thanks!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I don't mind gate checking my bag as it's always been free. I carry on only to avoid baggage fees. When I fly SW, I often bring only my purse on board.

And hopefully someday all the airlines will adopt the ONE thing Spirit does right and start doubling the charge for gate check for oversize bags! That would speed up the TSA checkpoints and boarding!

 

[monorailsilver]

When we flew in April on Jet blue, our bags were the measurements they have on their site. We have one bag that is 2 inches bigger but we didn't use it.

Amyways, our bags just fit the security xray machine. Luckily it was soft stuff so it smooshed.

 

[pinkprincess30]

Just a little update. I have flown with JetBlue and Southwest since I posted this question. I used the large carry-on in question and was never measured or questioned. No problems! I actually forgot all about the issue and flew without thinking twice about it.Most times now the airlines will offer free gate-check on full flights because everyone is doing carry-on now.

 

[goofy4tink]

Just an aside....wheels out, not wheels in. My friend and I had this very 'discussion' a year or so ago. She said it was wheels in, I said wheels out. We finally asked a FA...he said wheels out, fits much better than way!
I've gate checked my carry on bag the last 4 or so flights! If I have a checked bag anyway, or am with someone that will be waiting for a checked bag, I figure what the heck. Let them deal with the bag. Of course, last Friday I didn't want to worry about it at all....checked that darn thing when I did online checkin with JetBlue!! It was worth the money to not have to lug it back to MCO with me and lug it the ladies room, a few times, at the gate!!!

 

[pooh2001]

Can you bring a carry on under the seat carry on and a small purse or small camera case too per person on Jet Blue?

 

[wilkeliza]

Can you bring a carry on under the seat carry on and a small purse or small camera case too per person on Jet Blue?

Jetblue allows an under the seat/small personal item and an overhead item. A small purse or camera bag would count as 1 of the 2 items allowed. I often put my camera case and small purse in my laptop bag for my under the seat item.

 

[nkereina]

I've seen smaller ones (19 inch) gate checked because the gate agent thought it was over filled. It was on United and yes, it was my bag.

Happened to me on Delta. The gate agent started gate checking people's carry-ons about halfway through the boarding process because so many people were carrying on suitcases, and she assumed the bins would be full. Many people were irritated because they would need to retrieve their bags at baggage claim - they weren't placed on the ramp on the way off the plane. Turns out, there was likely enough room in the bins for everyone.

Honestly, if it's only $25 to check it at the gate...that's not a considerable charge and might be worth a try.

Agree - and it would be cheaper than buying a new carry on bag just for this trip.