You Are Allowed to Carry On…….
One 45” bag and one personal item such as a handbag or briefcase. This is the norm for most airline travelers today. My first roll on bag was a TravelPro. They could be previously spotted when flight attendants and crew members walked by drooling passengers who were saddled with luggage that was cumbersome and hard to manage. That all ended in 1989 when Johnny Q. Citizen could purchase a carry on a bag with wheels. Not every wheeled bag is carried on to the plane. Airlines have pretty strict baggage regulations and these days they are not as lenient as they used to be.
My first wheeled bag happened to be a TravelPro. Friends bought it for me as a college graduation present. A standard 45” bag measures 22 x 14 x 9, and that is the regulated size for most airlines. Some bags that are odd shaped still need to meet the requirements set up by the carrier. Sometimes they are rejected, and have to be checked.
Be careful when shopping for a carry-on bag, because some retailers will advertise that a certain piece of luggage meets requirements when it really doesn’t. Make sure it is legal by doing a little researching prior to shopping. That is particularly important if you are traveling overseas. International carriers will not allow a bag on a plane even if it is an inch too large. Some retailers will give you inside dimensions instead of the full bag measurements. Remember that overhead space may not fulfill the carry-on requirements and the bag may not fit under the seat. I play it safe and get a bag that is a little smaller just to be on the safe side. Spaces underneath the seats are getting tinier by the day. The smaller spaces are that way because the airline can make more money on in flight videos and other amenities and gear for those things are often installed underneath the seats.
One other personal carry-on item can be taken on the plane. These might include a handbag, an encased laptop, a small backpack or a briefcase. No personal item can exceed 36”. I used to be able to carry Christmas gifts for the grandkids, but now I send them by mail prior to my scheduled trip because of restrictions. If you see an agent allowing a larger than normal bag on the plane retain that information when you check in, and if another agent won’t allow your larger piece to be considered carry-on luggage mention the incident. When something like that happens it means that the airline is not complying with their rules. If they won’t play fair and let you take your bag with you there is a place to complain.
Aviation Consumer Protection Division
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
International airlines tend to have stricter policies than domestic carriers when it comes to weight limits. There is an additional charge for oversized or larger pieces of extra checked luggage. It is best to check with the airline to get the most updated information. Smaller commuter airlines may different regulations when baggage is involved, so it is best to take a few extra minutes and check out their website.
AirTran, Alaska, America West, American, ATA, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Northwest, Southwest, Spirit, United and US Airways all allow one carry-on bag and one personal item. Aloha Airlines sometimes doesn’t allow carry-on lugguage on inter-island flights. Normally, though, they follow the standard rule.
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