Carry-on v. personal item

onthelake · Post by **onthelake** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 10:17 am

We are also 'all carry on' this year. I was going to bring my regular backpack as my personal item, but I may look for something that has more compartments. Any suggestions?

cass · Post by **cass** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 10:36 am

My personal item that I take on every flight is also a very large canvas bag, and then my rolling carry on size suitcase. My canvas bag is big. It holds my large purse, snacks, snorkel gear, extra pair of shoes, two outfits, one hat, camera, Ipod and accessories, book, swimsuit and a few other little things. I tend to overpack it, in case they make me check the carry on (and it gets lost). I bet you'll be okay. Just make sure when you stuff it under the seat, you push really hard on it with your feet to conceal it until the passenger walk through/check is done!

Exit Zero · Post by **Exit Zero** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:13 am

Last weekend on my Spirit flight FLL-STT at least 15 people were made to leave their rolling carryons at the front of the plane, given tags, and the bags were collected and stowed in the checked luggage compartment - this was because the overheads were full. They were not charged $ for checked luggage but they did have to go to the baggage claim carousel. The amount of things people carried on was amazing to me and the flight attendants made some pointed but polite suggestions to some of the passengers but let it continue until the overhead bins were stuffed to overflowing. My impression was that the gate agents were just too lenient and that the policies will soon have to be enforced more stringently when all the seats are full.

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:25 am

I'll be grumpy if I have to check my bag, especially if I don't make my ferry. However, as long as I don't have to pay to check it, I will live.

bobcside · Post by **bobcside** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 2:17 pm

While I understand the baggage issues full well, I must say I disagree with the concept of pushing the envelope with the size of your "Personal Item" which is clearly defined as a purse or laptop type item. If you can fit your purse, laptop and other items in a bag and call it your "personal item", you are subverting the intent of carry on allowances. The airlines will soon catch on and eventually strictly enforce the size (weight and dimensional) restrictions. I'll bet some folks,so concerned, read these boards. I have personaly heard passengers complain to the flight crew quite insistantly about the size of some people's carry on/personal items. I've also been in the securty line when a young girl behind me asked her mother "Mommy how come that lady can have two big bags and you can't?" You keep tappin the nest, your gonna get stung. And everyone else along with ya. I might be a little old fashioned but I kind of like to stick to the rules. Just my 2 cents.

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 2:33 pm

Wow, I figured I'd check my thread one more time before I sailed off into the sunset, and I just can't win for trying around here. At least it validates my decision to hit the trail. Or maybe it's my turn to be hypersensitive. Whichever.

My bag is not jam-packed full of crap. It's just a big bag. And it's not big because I wanted to fill it full of crap; it's just the only bag I could find that was water-resistant, because I'm still a little upset about all my belongings getting ruined when I dropped my bag in the ocean last year. It will easily, even with contents included, fold up and fit under my seat. I just suspect that it probably does not meet the airline's size restrictions because while it's not too much bigger than a purse, it is a little bigger than a purse.

I'm not trying to push the envelope, and if they force me to check my roller bag, I will. If the airlines don't want people pushing the envelope with carry-on luggage, they probably shouldn't charge us to check our bags. I'm sure they'll start charging us for carry-ons soon enough anyhow.

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:58 am

I have an update! So, I was packing some stuff up today, and I'm still a little worried about the size of my bag. However, I really want to take it because my stuff is less likely to get ruined in it. So, I got this great idea. I am going to pack the contents of my beach bag in a smaller bag for the plane and fold the big beach bag up and put it in my roller bag so there is no issue with me trying to circumvent the system. Yes, it means that I have to take an extra bag, but my beach bag will be good for the beach, even if it's not good for the plane. Plus, if I really need to buy anything, I could always use it as my carry-on on the way back and check my roller bag. (Assuming this doesn't interfere with my rum-checking plan.)

designbyroe · Post by **designbyroe** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 10:52 am

lulu,
that is so funny......i was going to tell you to pack your beach bag......i may have room if you need some ......i am taking my roller bag and folding my beach bag and packing it. i take that to ivans. i carry on my roller bag and my knap sack.....i have very little stuff....
i think i have learned to travel light..

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 10:56 am

It just came to me driving down the interstate today. Of course, my fellow carpooler was a tad bit disturbed that I almost hit an SUV.

I have to finish up my booklet and press release at work, plus clean off my desk.

Get cash, gas and a pedicure (which I may do myself and save the moolah for STJ).

And finish packing a few odds and ends and print out ferry schedules and such since I will not be here for a week and have no intentions of getting on the Internet on St. John.

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 11:04 am

I flew home from Florida on JetBlue last night and people had some pretty huge "personal items," much bigger than I have seen coming home from other destinations. Nobody said anything.

Have a great trip!

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 11:09 am

I know that some people probably have bigger bags than mine. And I know that I can probably get away with it. It'll fit under my seat, because it's nowhere close to being full. I just don't want to push the envelope, and I don't want to worry about it until Saturday. So, if the other bag will work, then I'll do that instead. Fingers crossed!

FTC · Post by **FTC** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 5:22 pm

You'll be fine with the bag, but do check about bringing home the booze. Last time we hit a duty free shop, they packed it then checked it (it's was certainly more than 3 oz...), rather than letting us carry it directly onto the plane. I didn't see this coming and gave it up rather than repacking it first. The gin made it, but coconut rum & Kalua didn't (a very sticky mess not to mention disappointing!)...so be sure you have your packing and pack it yourself before letting them check it! At least you won't have customs to contend with on this, just the airlines.

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