Worries about carry-on luggage for flying

[dougp]

So, quick question to you recent flyers out there - I'm taking a carry-on suitcase with my clothes, but then taking a "sling-bag" that will hold my laptop/digi-cam/mp3 player/DS/book or two. Do you think they'll hassle me about it? I saw that Southwest listed they allow a laptop+bag and camera+bag to count as the "small personal carry-on."

Anyone have any ideas?

[dougp]

I guarantee you will not have a problem.
So if I do, I'm coming for you GiG ... seriously, I'm not checkin a motherfuckin' bag on that motherfuckin' plane! :ihit

[Sportcamper]

Carry on luggage is for cell phones, samiches & prescription drugs...Pack your clothes in a suitcase & check it in...

[samikeyp]

Yes you can, enigma.

You can bring a purse, laptop, small backpack, etc in addition to your suitcase...they don't count as a carry on.

[Sportcamper]

Southwest does not care. I do it every few months.

Nothing like a 7’ tall exhibitionist dragging a huge suitcase up & down the aisles...Trying to find an overhead compartment large enough to fit it in.... :p:

[dougp]

Carry on luggage is for cell phones, samiches & prescription drugs...Pack your clothes in a suitcase & check it in...
Sorry, but I'm not checking any bags. They say they allow a suitcase plus one small carryon, typically a laptop bag, camera bag or the likes. I was just wondering if they'd be anal about what they call a laptop bag since it's not a portfolio style, and a sling bag instead. You never know about how security might be with the TSA ruleset.

[MrChug]

Good rule of thumb is carryon bag and another small bag.

[50 cent]

1 piece of luggage + 1 personal item.

A personal item can be a laptop bag, purse, backpack, whatever.

As long you only have 2 pieces of "luggage" total, you will be fine.

I fly about once a week and never have any problems.

[50 cent]

Sorry, but I'm not checking any bags. They say they allow a suitcase plus one small carryon, typically a laptop bag, camera bag or the likes. I was just wondering if they'd be anal about what they call a laptop bag since it's not a portfolio style, and a sling bag instead. You never know about how security might be with the TSA ruleset.
Be careful with what you are considering a suitcase. It has to fit in the overhead bin or they will have to check it.

I think it has to be 22" or under, basically a small roller suitcase.

[samikeyp]

Fitty speaketh the truth.

As someone who is in the travel biz...its one of the first questions you receive.

[mrsmaalox]

Coincidence, I have a flying question too: My son (13yrs) is flying this afternoon from SA. Can I walk all the way to the gate with him, or are they still making non-passengers wait at the security checkpoint?

[Sportcamper]

Good rule of thumb is to consider that there are other passengers on the plane...It is not all about your convenience...Planes are packed, the seating arrangement is very tight...Nobody appreciates being near the goof-ball dragging luggage up & down the aisle.... :dramaquee

[dougp]

Be careful with what you are considering a suitcase. It has to fit in the overhead bin or they will have to check it.

I think it has to be 22" or under, basically a small roller suitcase.
I think I read somewhere on SW's website is 10"x16"x24" - not quite sure, but it is under that size, though the depth is around 10.5" in one spot because of a shirt that I can smash down. I got it as a carry-on suitcase, so I do intend for it to be that.

As for whoever told me that it's not about my convenience - yes, that's what flying is. I'm not checking my bags because I want the convenience of not worrying about losing my crap. I don't see them paying for all the shit I have in there, as I doubt they'd give me the money for the A&F stuff, or my Gap stuff.

[samikeyp]

As for whoever told me that it's not about my convenience - yes, that's what flying is. I'm not checking my bags because I want the convenience of not worrying about losing my crap. I don't see them paying for all the shit I have in there, as I doubt they'd give me the money for the A&F stuff, or my Gap stuff.

I think what SportCamper meant was be courteous of others as they should be to you.

[50 cent]

Coincidence, I have a flying question too: My son (13yrs) is flying this afternoon from SA. Can I walk all the way to the gate with him, or are they still making non-passengers wait at the security checkpoint?
Parents of children that are flying alone can get Verification cards that allow them to go through security with their child to the gate even though they are not flying.

Just check in at the ticket counter to get your son's boarding pass and ask them if you can escort him through security to the gate and they should give you what looks like your own boarding pass to get through security.

[dougp]

I think what SportCamper meant was be courteous of others as they should be to you.
Eh it kinda came across to me that I was going out of my way to inconvenience others. I'm not going to be lugging very much through there, I fit 9 days worth of stuff in a much smaller area than my girlfriend and her sister, so I think I should be fine ... I just wanted to make sure about the laptop bag.

[mrsmaalox]

Parents of children that are flying alone can get Verification cards that allow them to go through security with their child to the gate even though they are not flying.

Just check in at the ticket counter to get your son's boarding pass and ask them if you can escort him through security to the gate and they should give you what looks like your own boarding pass to get through security.
Thanks!

[tsb2000]

So, quick question to you recent flyers out there - I'm taking a carry-on suitcase with my clothes, but then taking a "sling-bag" that will hold my laptop/digi-cam/mp3 player/DS/book or two. Do you think they'll hassle me about it? I saw that Southwest listed they allow a laptop+bag and camera+bag to count as the "small personal carry-on."

Anyone have any ideas?

They won't hassle you about the # of bags, but you will have to get out all of the electronics and place them in a bin separately from the bag. That can be a royal PITA.

Best bets to get through security quickly are slip-on shoes and a belt with no metal in it, and keep all of your toiletries travel size and in a clear ziploc plastic bag.

[Sportcamper]

I was referring to people with huge carry on items... Walking up and down the aisle banging their suitcases into passengers that are seated....
http://slimg.com/photos/checkin.jpghttp://www.luggagepros.com/images/lifestyle_02.jpg

[dougp]

They won't hassle you about the # of bags, but you will have to get out all of the electronics and place them in a bin separately from the bag. That can be a royal PITA.

Best bets to get through security quickly are slip-on shoes and a belt with no metal in it, and keep all of your toiletries travel size and in a clear ziploc plastic bag.
Laptop
Camera
DS Lite
MP3 Player

Possibly a flashlight

I understand I need to put electric tape over all my spare batteries for my camera?

[tsb2000]

I've never heard of that. You might want to call ahead on that one.

You need a flashlight on the plane? :wtf

[u2sarajevo]

Laptop
Camera
DS Lite
MP3 Player

Possibly a flashlight

I understand I need to put electric tape over all my spare batteries for my camera?Only ones from that list you need to worry about are the laptop (for sure) - take it out of the bag, and the camera - if it's a film camera take it out or your shots will be erased (and any undeveloped film also). If it's digital you are good.

If you aren't checking, make sure any liquids (toiletries) you bring are each in less than 3 oz. containers (travel size) and all in a single quart size ziploc bag. You should take that out of the bag as well so it can be inspected.

[dougp]

For the flashlight - we're going camping for a few days in Cali - so I wanted to use it as an excuse to get one of the LED maglites ;)

Yah, I'm probably going to pull all my electronics out to get them inspected, I don't want to take any chances.

[ShoogarBear]

The other thing to remember is that the allowable dimensions for carry-on on Southwest are smaller than almost every other airline. So make sure you know what's allowed on the airline you are using.

[dougp]

The other thing to remember is that the allowable dimensions for carry-on on Southwest are smaller than almost every other airline. So make sure you know what's allowed on the airline you are using.
Yah, I checked southwests website to confirm.

From the website:
"Southwest Airlines limits carryon bag dimensions to 10x16x24 inches."

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/baggage.html

I'd assume that'd be 10" depth, 16" wide and 24" long which I meet the criteria for on my carry-on. Flying has seemed to become such a pain sometimes!

[missmyzte]

I've never had a problem with carry-ons with Southwest. In fact, I've brought a small travel suitcase (the kind with the retractable handle and wheels), a laptop bag and a purse and have never had a problem. The key is mostly in what fits in the overhead compartments - my suitecase goes in the overhead, the laptop bag under the seat in front of me and my purse in my lap.

[BigBeezie]

Coincidence, I have a flying question too: My son (13yrs) is flying this afternoon from SA. Can I walk all the way to the gate with him, or are they still making non-passengers wait at the security checkpoint?

You can get a pass at the Southwest Ticket counter.