Wow! Huge jump in Delta bag fees...now $23 each bag, each way

[eliza61]

DO you ever find out that you have left over clothers at the end of a vacation. I always did. I can't pack a carryon only but I I did two weeks in California last June, I had 1 26 inch suitcase. I changed clothes at least half the time I was there and I didn't rewear clothes and still has a couple of clean tops when I came home. It is do able.

Not to much, maybe one outfit. It may depend also on the weather. In the summer when I go to Disney, I know I'm going to need 2 outfits a day. I just can't imagine being in the parks in 90 degree heat coming back, showering before dinner and then putting the same sweaty clothes back on. uugh!

Now in the interest of full disclosure, I don't do housework on vacation. with 3 kids I do 1-2 loads of laundry a day as it is, no way am I doing that on vacation.
I"ve also never been one of those gals who can take 1 pair of black pants and make 17 outfits, like in the fashion magazines.

This summer I'm off to Paris, once again I can't imagine sightseeing all day then wearing the same thing to a nice French restaurant so I'll pack extra outfits.

 

[bavaria]

You mean you could do 2 weeks in Europe with 1 bag? Do you re-wear pants?

ALL the time. I carry one 24 inch suitcase for 6-10 weeks at a time, with much of that being work things. I tend to pack for varied climates and have casual as well as work wear. One trip often spans parts of Asia and Europe.

I wear lightweight, dark trouser jeans; a-line skirts for casual wear; light weight tops; cardigans; at least one casual jacket and usually two work blazers and assorted bottoms.

I have two pairs of shoes (usually GEOX as a personal preference for style and comfort) one more casual, one suitable for dress. Lots of scarves/pashminas and necklaces from around the world.

I wash almost every night in the sink tops, socks, delicates etc and they dry overnight. The jeans dry overnight. If I need to dry clean something I will, but I avoid dry cleaning as it reduces the longevity of clothing. I rarely use a washing machine in my world and have barely ever used a dryer in my life.

AND as you will be in France you can buy what I think is the best hand wash liquid I have ever found in the world (made by Colgate but rarely found outside France or Switzerland) - Génie Sans Frotter Gel Express à la Main

I don't smell either.

 

[bavaria]

I think that is one part of the problem, most people under a certain age don't remember how expensive it was. Also remember, we are now a "Walmart" society. No one pays retail for any thing, heck most people are so used to Disney having free dining I can't imagine them ever being able to stop that promotion.

Someone posted on another thread the fare from I believe MSP to FRA in 1959. It was the equivalent of about $4,500 in 2007 dollars for an economy ticket.

How many people would pay that today? I think that anything under $1,200 is a bargain to/from Europe/USA but I know that I am in the minority.

 

[Brian Noble]

I don't smell either

Unless you count the faint whiff of cacao...

 

[Lewisc]

You mean you could do 2 weeks in Europe with 1 bag? Do you re-wear pants? How do you get them cleaned. I can't imagine running around Disney in the summer in a top and shorts then re wearing them? Yuck!

Virtually every group (bus/train) tour limits you to one bag. Many of the Europe tours are 14 days.

You generally wash underwear in the sink. You should make sure some of your other clothing lends itself to hand washing. Many (most?) people have no problem wearing a pair of shorts, pants or a shirt more then once. There are websites that give packing tips.

I agree the hot summers in Florida can be an issue. Some people have to decide if they want to pay to check an extra bag or if they want to do wash. A compromise is to pack assuming you can wear everything more then once. Too many hot (or rainy) days and you'll do wash. Moderate weather and you'll be OK.

 

[KelnRon]

Hmmmm ... don't think I would be washing undies in the sink! We are a family of six going to Disney for 8 days. We pay the extra money and get a resort that has a w/d in the room. I wouldn't be able to do it any other way. So this next trip we are taking carry-on's and will stop at a Walmart on the way to the resort and buy all the toiletries, diapers, wipes etc. that we will need for the week. We land at 8am so I don't mind stopping and picking this stuff up.

However, my last few times flying (Spirit) the overhead bins were so full that they were taking the carry-on's at the gate and then checking them in. So you ended up having to wait for you luggage at the end of the trip.

 

[taylor3297]

I have noticed recently that women will bring a carry on (stuffed to the brim), a backpack type bag(laptop and other things in the bag) and a purse. Instead of putting the carry on in the over head and the purse and backpack underneath the seat, they will put all in the overhead except for the purse. Then when they want their laptop they have to get up, and struggle to get it out. Also, this takes up too much space in the overhead. Men do the same minus the purse.

My family of four will take on 2 carry ons and will check on suitcase for a week trip. For those who need two outfits a day, that is just two much. Even if you change for dinner, you can wear that same outfit another night at dinner. If I am traveling alone, I don't take a carry on at all. I just pay to check my bag.

When I hear about folks taking air beds and such on a plane. I think these folks are crazy. Didn't they book a place big enough for everyone to stay?

So I will pay the checked baggage fees and smile while paying it.

 

[bavaria]

Unless you count the faint whiff of cacao...

Or Philosophy chocolate body wash....

Billions of people around the world don't use washing machines, and we get along just fine, clean underwear and all.

Nothing wrong with handwashing.

 

[Brian Noble]

True, and I've gone the handwashing route "when in Rome" (and in Paris, and...), but having an in-unit washer/dryer *is* more pleasant, and very easy to accomplish in Orlando. It's almost a requirement when I'm booking a unit in O-town, even just for me. You can't swing a dead Mouse without hitting a timeshare or privately-owned condo development that has reasonable rental rates for fully-equipped units.

 

[goofy4tink]

All right, all right. I've changed my mind...I'm not bringing the Aero bed this summer!!! Sheesh. That would have taken one checked bag by itself...between the bed, the sheets for it and a light blanket, well...looks like there is going to be some bed sharing instead. Get over it kid!!!

We really do overpack. I do at least one load of laundry on each trip..doesn't matter if I'm in a villa with a w/d or if I have to head to a laundry room. I just can't be bothered packing enough clothing to get me through the entire week in August..for three people. So, for a week, I usually pack 5 shirts, 3 shorts, 1 capri, 5 undies, one sleep shirt for myself and same for dd. Dh is on his own..he really needs to learn to pack less. he's getting better but is not yet there.
If we are there from Sat through the next weekend, then I will be doing laundry mid-week. Usually during the day while we're relaxing at the pool. It is so much better than lugging copious luggage around at the airport.

In my carryon? I have two....a tote bag which has my netbook, all my various chargers, my electronics (phone, iPod, camera) a book, passport, wallet with ID's and cash/gift cards, resort confirmation/ADR numbers, some gum. In my LLBean rolling duffle carryon I have...snacks, a change of clothes (shirt, shorts, undies), bathing suit, meds, small toiletries. But I have that change of clothes for each of us, as well as all bathing suits. My dd and dh seldom have a larger carryon bag with them. Dh will carry his own laptop and dd will have her backpack with her stuff. Her backpack goes under the seat, dh puts his laptop bag/briefcase on top of my rolling duffle in the overhead bin.

I do 'get' that people don't want to go out to eat dinner in the same clothes they have been wearing all day...especially if it's hot/muggy. But, you don't need to pack 2/3 outfits per day, for each day of a week long trip. My eldest dd did that once...she had two checked bags. Thank heaven we were flying SW!!! When I questioned her about the two bags, her answer was, and I quote..'Mom, I need to be able to make choices every day. What if I want to wear something black but all I have is brown that's clean?? It's all about choices!!' Ah, no. You're going to WDW..you are not supposed to be decked out in sartorial splendor!! She has since learned to pack lighter.

 

[n2mm]

Not sure if this has been posted, but I just read on CNN that United has also increased their fees too. So add them to the list now to the same rate as Delta ($25/$23 advance).

 

[goofy4tink]

Had to happen. Wonder who else is going to be increasing their fees in the near future??!

 

[DebbieB]

Had to happen. Wonder who else is going to be increasing their fees in the near future??!

You bet USAirways will be next, they never met a fee they didn't like. Except when they started charging for soft drinks and no one else followed, they had to back off.

I think it's crazy. They should be discouraging carryons with the security concerns instead they drive more people to bring them.

 

[bavaria]

All right, all right. I've changed my mind...I'm not bringing the Aero bed this summer!!! .

Ultimately it is a personal decision. Some people feel the need to wash their undies in industrial strength washing machines, and that's ok, if that is what they need. Others are ok with wearing the same outfit twice in a 10 day span.

But no matter what one decides, one should follow the rules and bring only what is permitted on board, and not overstuff the carry on.

And readers should well expect that America (pretty much the only country with such generous carry on allowance) will one day soon restrict carry on size, or number, or weight. The extra bag fees still are not offsetting the major losses on the US carriers, and they can only raise them so much and so often.

The more people abuse the carry on rules, the longer it takes to turn a flight, and the more money it costs the carrier. Look for that leak to be plugged next.

 

[eliza61]

I have noticed recently that women will bring a carry on (stuffed to the brim), a backpack type bag(laptop and other things in the bag) and a purse. Instead of putting the carry on in the over head and the purse and backpack underneath the seat, they will put all in the overhead except for the purse. Then when they want their laptop they have to get up, and struggle to get it out. Also, this takes up too much space in the overhead. Men do the same minus the purse.

.

LOL, last November we were at the Orlando airport and a family was arguing with the poor gate person from SW because they wanted to take a kid size stuffed Winnie the pooh on as checked luggage. Attendant told them they either had to check it (fee) or pay for a seat for Pooh.

Doesn't Disney suggest people to ship those things.

 

[locolala]

Eliza, you would have hated life as a deployed military member then! When I was deployed I had 3 sets of camis, so 3 tops and 3 bottoms. I had 7 skivvy or undershirts, 7 pairs of underwear, and about the same in socks. We were able to do laundry about every other week. You always had to have one uniform ready to wear, so you couldn't wash all your stuff at one time. Most of the time, I went about a week between showers because I never ever had time to shower, between work on the base, missions, pt, and sleep.. I had no spare time. I took one hour a week to attend to personal stuff like showers and laundry.

So needless to say, I could very easily go two weeks with just one suitcase. Even now I wear jeans several days in a row without washing, simply because they really don't get that dirty, and I only have 2 pairs that fit me well.

 

[ohlas]

Just drive then you can take all the junk that can fit into your car. Im not flying anymore because i hate the waiting its so much more zzzz then playing games in the car and moving take a hour flight then wait 3 hours in an airport then take one hour flight lol

drive dont fly then the prices will go up more

 

[crashbb]

Everyone feel free to roll their eyes at my special snowflakeness but...

I hate washing my running clothes in the sink. Or, rather, I hate wearing most clothes that are line dried. I've done it when traveling and end up with very irritated/chafed skin. Hang drying makes clothes "crunchier" - I know it is only a tiny bit, but apparently it is enough of a difference that my skin notices.

I don't change outfits a million times per day (of course I change into/out of running clothes) and I'll wear my outfits more than once, but I do bring a number of changes of running clothes when I travel - no way am I getting by with one outfit for 7-10 days.

 

[bavaria]

You have a problem with crunchy underwear?

 

[goofy4tink]

Everyone feel free to roll their eyes at my special snowflakeness but...

I hate washing my running clothes in the sink. Or, rather, I hate wearing most clothes that are line dried. I've done it when traveling and end up with very irritated/chafed skin. Hang drying makes clothes "crunchier" - I know it is only a tiny bit, but apparently it is enough of a difference that my skin notices.

I don't change outfits a million times per day (of course I change into/out of running clothes) and I'll wear my outfits more than once, but I do bring a number of changes of running clothes when I travel - no way am I getting by with one outfit for 7-10 days.

Awwww, you poor thing. Nothing worse than crunchy clothes on your delicate skin!!! But I hear ya. My dh always line dries his jeans and khaki's.....that would drive me nuts. I hate the feeling of that against my skin. But...I do enjoy line dried towels!!!