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Canada and baggage sizers

It's been a while since we flew in Canada. Looking at the Air Canada website explaining carry-on baggage size, I see that "automated carry-on baggage sizers" have replaced "metal sizers" at major airports. Can anyone explain how these work and how precise & accurate they are? Also, from the AC website, I gather that all a/c in the fleet can accommodate the standard luggage size of 55 X 40 X 23 cm. Anyone have experience with that on the DeHaviland Dash 8 ? We are using the RS rolling carry-ons which supposedly adheres to those dimensions.

Many thanks.

Posted by
11872 posts

Its been several years since I flew in a Dash 8 ( Horizon Air) , but as best I can recall the standard roll on bag will not fit in the cabin bins in a Dash-8. Horizon had a cart at the boarding steps for folks to leave those bags, which went into the 'trunk' and were put out on a cart at the destination.

What Air Canada does for that type plane, i have no info.

Posted by
51 posts

Hi,
The last time I flew on a Dash-8 with Air Canada, the cart was used as described by joe32F, which was great. You just need to grab anything you need on board from your suitcase. I’m flying Air Canada in a week and could report back on the sizers — first I’ve heard of this. 😬

Posted by
255 posts

Thanks, MaryLou. I'd be glad to hear of your experiences with this "auto-sizer" gizmo, if any. The AC website says they are installed at Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. So it appears that the YouTube clip mentioned by Mister É does indeed show the "auto-sizer" at Toronto. We aren't traveling for a while yet, but forewarned is forearmed. Hope you have a pleasant trip.

Posted by
5429 posts

If you luggage is soft and it fits with a little squishing, it
probably wont pass this test? As you cant squish it?

Mr E, the AC website says that if the automated sensor rejects it, it will then be 'assessed" re: checking it. I'm thinking that if it is squishable, it would be allowed at this secondary check.

Posted by
3480 posts

I flew Air Canada in April from Vancouver to Italy, and no one even looked at any of my bags.
One flight to Montreal, then on from there to Rome.
I had a 21" carryon case, a small backpack and a medium crossbody bag.
I didn't have to put them in any sizer contraption and didn't look to see what others were doing.
AC usually cares more about size than weight, so it's good to stick to the posted sizes, just in case.