carry-on luggage (low cost, airlines, flights, baggage)

[pitroad]

AA/United have a size limit of 45" (total length/width/height) for carry-on luggage. I have what was once a roll around carry-on but if you incorporate the wheels/handles it is going to exceed the 45". How close do the airline enforce the policy.
Also if I need to purchase a new carry-on I would like to get one that would suffice for a 5-6 day trip without checking luggage. Do you have a favorite C/O that works that you would recommend. I realize I will have to pack light and will probably use compression bags etc.

[CHTransplant]

Originally Posted by pitroad

AA/United have a size limit of 45" (total length/width/height) for carry-on luggage. I have what was once a roll around carry-on but if you incorporate the wheels/handles it is going to exceed the 45". How close do the airline enforce the policy.
Also if I need to purchase a new carry-on I would like to get one that would suffice for a 5-6 day trip without checking luggage. Do you have a favorite C/O that works that you would recommend. I realize I will have to pack light and will probably use compression bags etc.

My experience is that weight will get you in trouble more than size. I've never seen them take a tape measure to a carry on to see if it's within guidelines. Seems to be more of an "obviousness" standard - not that they catch people on a technicality because the wheels stick out an extra 1/2 inch.

But: Five to Six days in a carry-on? That sounds like a lot. I'd hate to think you'll be one of those people I sit and watch trying to stuff their giant carry-on into the overhead bin while they hold up everyone behind them, until the flight attendant finally comes and tells the person they'll have to check it plane-side.

[frankpc]

Many airlines at RDU have the "size bins" in the gate area that they sometimes use to size check carry ons. They typically don't enforce that as closely as the weight penalties ..

Unfortunately not all overhead compartments are the same size - do you know if it fits under the seat?

Frank

[pitroad]

Originally Posted by frankpc

Many airlines at RDU have the "size bins" in the gate area that they sometimes use to size check carry ons. They typically don't enforce that as closely as the weight penalties ..

Unfortunately not all overhead compartments are the same size - do you know if it fits under the seat?

Frank

Well I'm not sure it would fit under the seat. I think I always put it in an overhead. I do need to do a dry run and weigh the darn thing though.

[Francois]

Originally Posted by chtransplant

i'd hate to think you'll be one of those people i sit and watch trying to stuff their giant carry-on into the overhead bin while they hold up everyone behind them, until the flight attendant finally comes and tells the person they'll have to check it plane-side.

thank you.

[Alaskan Mutt]

On the last couple of flights I have taken there have been several open seats, so oversized carry-ons have not been a problem. However, during peak times I have seen airlines look closer at the carry-ons. Also, I am seeing more and more of the smaller jets which have much smaller overhead bins. Rather than tempt fate, I would get a carry on that was a couple inches smaller than what they allow and pack lighter. For trips less than 4 days I use a day pack which will pretty much fit in any airplane overhead. More than that I check a suitcase.

FYI last year I flew on US AIR out of Houston and they had a person at the screening point who would turn back anyone trying to carry on more than one bag or an oversized bag.

[NeilVA]

The thickness is the main issue. The thinner the better. For thickness measure from the back of the wheels to the front (across the bottom). The handle really makes no difference. Also if you really want to beat the system, do a gate check of the luggage. It will be waiting for you right at the gate when you get off the place. On trips of a week or less, I haven't checked any luggage in years.

[Chava61]

Originally Posted by NeilVA

The thickness is the main issue. The thinner the better. For thickness measure from the back of the wheels to the front (across the bottom). The handle really makes no difference. Also if you really want to beat the system, do a gate check of the luggage. It will be waiting for you right at the gate when you get off the place. On trips of a week or less, I haven't checked any luggage in years.

You might not want to check in your carry-on luggage if you think it might fit in the overhead compartment/bin on the aircraft. At the gate, the flight attendants might request that your check-in your baggage if they deem it too thick/big. I think in this case you may not be charged.

[Jaggy001]

Originally Posted by Chava61

You might not want to check in your carry-on luggage if you think it might fit in the overhead compartment/bin on the aircraft. At the gate, the flight attendants might request that your check-in your baggage if they deem it too thick/big. I think in this case you may not be charged.

As a frequent flyer, I have never seen a US airline check sizes before boarding the flight (they do this in Europe, however, especially the low cost carriers). So you main issue is whether it will ft or not.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by Jaggy001

As a frequent flyer, I have never seen a US airline check sizes before boarding the flight (they do this in Europe, however, especially the low cost carriers). So you main issue is whether it will ft or not.

I have seen the TSA stop people at Chicago-O'Hare when their carry-on did NOT fit through the template of the x-ray machine. They were required to go back to the gate and check the bag.