To Check or Not to Check – Carry On Luggage

Luggage SizerLuggage Sizer

Traveling with a Carry On Bag Becomes More Difficult

Luggage Sizer

Luggage Sizer

To check or not to check. That has become one of the questions of the day. When traveling do I go with a carry-on bag only? Or do I take a chance and check my luggage with the hopes that it will arrive at my destination with me? The answers to these questions depend on a lot of factors.

Typically when I travel within the United States, I fly with a carry on bag and a backpack. The size of the carry on is dependent upon how many days I will be gone. Usually for a one to three day trip, I can get by with a 20 inch wheeled bag and if the trip is for four to six days, I up the size to a 24″ bag. My backpack is typically packed with my electronics, my medicines, reading material (either Kindle or a book), a travel document pouch which holds itineraries and reservation copies (yes, I am one of those who has to have a paper backup), and a small change of clothes (in the event that my bag ends up checked). The backpack also allows me to ‘consolidate’ my purse if I need to upon boarding. But, yes, I admit, I have probably dragged more into an airplane cabin that has exceeded the allowable limits.

I was really surprised the other day when flying from Seattle back to Charlotte to actually see empty space in the overhead bin as the doors closed. So maybe more people are listening and paying attention to what they are bringing aboard.

Empty Luggage Bin - A miracle!

Empty Luggage Bin – A miracle!

Airlines are becoming more strict with their carry on rules and, as I am struggling with top tier status this year (where are you double pqm promotions?), I will have to be more careful in the future. There is even a Twitter account, Carry On Shame, started by San Francisco based travel writer Spud Hilton that has been set up to shame those people who carry on luggge far exceeds what is allowed. You can follow it with the hashtag #CarryOnShame.

Carry On Shame #CarryOnShame

Carry On Shame #CarryOnShame

You should check with your airline first, but most domestic airlines permit a carry-on piece of luggage that is 45 linear (total) inches. A common sized bag for carry-on luggage is 22″x 14″x 9″. Most airlines have a carry-on weight limit of 40 pounds.

Even airfarewatchdog‘s George Hobica was caught out on a recent American Airlines flight out of JFK. Stopped while in the security line, he was forced to go back to the ticket counter and check his bag before passing through security.

Here are some of the other new rules and regulations:

Frontier Airlines – In April, Frontier became one of the carriers to charge a fee for a carry-on bag (economy class) with fees ranging from $20-35 depending on when you purchase your ticket. This is an obvious effort to discourage carry on bags altogether. (Spirit and Allegiant also charge)

United Airlines – Requires passengers to acknowledge the size restrictions during online check in and has installed sizing boxes to ensure that no violators get past the ticket counters.

 American Airlines – The maximum dimensions cannot exceed any of the following measurements: 22″ long x 14″ wide x 9″ tall or 115cm (56 x 36 x 23 cm). All carry-on items should be stowed in an overhead bin.

In the future, I will try to be more mindful of what I am carrying onboard. However, I think the airlines have created this mess themselves by charging outrageous checked bag fees. It is not something I worry about too often because having status with the airline allows me a certain number of checked bags. The baggage allowance of three bags really comes in handy on our family trips to England when at least one of our huge suitcases is packed with presents for family members. But for people flying in economy or families with multiple children and multiple bags, fees can certainly add up far too quickly.

I noticed when flying Air Berlin, that the airline encourages checked luggage and does not charge for it. I think what I find the most difficult about European carriers, however, is the weight restrictions for carry on luggage. 8Kg is not a whole lot of weight and my backpack typically weighs in a little over that. It was the weight issue that kept me from taking a carry on bag on a recent Lufthansa flight from Toronto to Munich although when I boarded, I realized that I could have definitely brought it with me.

So when shopping for a new bag, keep the new rules and regulations in mind. Take a tape measure with you if you need to in order to be mindful of the dimensions. What has worked for you in the past may not work for you now.

Luggage Size Chart - Courtesy of TravelNerd

Luggage Size Chart – Courtesy of TravelNerd

International Carriers Luggage Sizes - Courtesy of The Daily Mail

International Carriers Luggage Sizes – Courtesy of The Daily Mail

 

Above all else – pack lightly – travel smart!

How do you travel? Carry on luggage or checked?

1 Comment on "To Check or Not to Check – Carry On Luggage"

  1. Checking a bag is the worst as it wastes valuable time. If all airlines had the 20 minute guarantee like Alaska Airlines, I could probably see myself checking more often.

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