How strict is AA for carry on size restrictions?

[augie]

Any group experience/stories on this?

We'll be flying Ft. Lauderdale to San Juan to St. Thomas on American (the only leg on American Eagle is on the way back, so this will be a moot point then).

I'm considering carrying on a polar bear cooler with some frozen meat. The 48 pack has dimensions that add up to 50 linear inches, and the 24 pack add up to 40. According to the carry on guidelines at the AA web site, the max size for a carry on is 45 linear inches.

Do you think the 5 extra combined (L x W x H) inches will sink me?

[waterguy]

Just don't wave it around and I think you will be ok The worst that will happen is they will make you check it at the door

[Steve S]

For proper carry on etiquette, you should be able to fit your carry on in the overhead compartment lengthwise perpendicular to the aisle. My experience is a 24-25 inch long soft duffel will make it but a 26" (which seems to be a popular wheeled suitcase length) won't. It really riles me when someone has to put a piece of luggage sideways in the overhead and as a result takes up the normal space for 3 people.

Some airlines post a maximum length for carryons and we all have seen the box at the gates that your carry on is supposed to fit in.

[Gromit]

Check the aircraft size. IF you're on a puddle jumper from San Juan to STT (most are) then you'll have to check it underneath at the steps of the plane just before you board anyway.

MY past experiences with carry on is they aren't too strict as long as you can actually put it somewhere (over or under) --But I've seen people bring some pretty ridiculous stuff on board. I saw a woman once with a bag that was bigger than she was! It took up the ENTIRE overhead bin. She couldn't even lift the thing above her head and was batting her eyelashes to get some "big strong guy" to help her out- UGH!

But if it isn't much bigger than a regular duffle bag or carry-on suitcase, you should be A-OK.

That being said however they can be strict on the weight of checked baggage and WILL charge you. I've gotten by on occasion without paying overweight charges (usually cause the line was long and they wanted to move people through) but I've seen people get seriously tagged and have to pay overweight baggage fees.

[augie]

I went back and looked again and the actual linear inch measurement is 47 inches, VERY close to the 45 stipulated.

Also, it's only 21" long, so it passes the "Steve test".

[MrsCARolph]

Unfortunately, the airlines can be very inconsistent, just like the TSA agents at the security checkpoint (haven't we all snuck in a liquid that was more than 3.4 oz?). Sometimes you'll be busted, sometimes you'll go unnoticed. I'd recommend checking how many seats are available on the plane before you decide. If the plane is half or a quarter empty, you'll have room for the cooler and no flight attendant will make a fuss about it--they just want to get going like you. But if the plane is booked to the max, there truely might not be room for it (especially since so many of us don't check any bags now) and when they're searching through the overhead compartments for more room, your cooler might stand out. But like I said, the airline as a whole can be very inconsistent. If you take your chances, the worst they can do is make you check it. Either way, good luck!
-Cheryl

[RickG]

People routinely get away with rediculous carry-ons, whether they should or not. If you are on a puddle jumper from San Juan to St. Thomas you will need to gate check your carry on luggage. That's still a better bet than checking your bag at the ticket counter.

Cheers, RickG

[augie]

With the change in flights I made this morning we are now on 757s coming and going, non-stop Miami to St. Thomas, so we won't have to worry about the puddle jumper thing.

AA's web site seems to indicate we should be OK.

Rick - your web page with info for new St. John travelers is AWESOME - best thing I've found on the net to help newbies be prepared - thanks!

[RickG]

Rick - your web page with info for new St. John travelers is AWESOME - best thing I've found on the net to help newbies be prepared - thanks!

Thanks! I think I need to update it. The Google maps have people asking about street names! Too bad the streets are sparsely marked, and then don't always agree with Google. I'm going to take some photos in April/May and update some of the directions.

Cheers, RickG

[Mark]

We have a Polar Bear 48 Cooler and have always checked it and never carried it. I have never been able to totally fill the cooler, therefore the cooler will collapse to the appropiate size if it is a tight squeese. We have also never put ice in the cooler and all of the frozen items were still frozen when we unpacked I.E. Meats,Spag Sauce,Creamer.This is a very good cooler and will keeps things frozen for the trip.