Forced to Check Carry On Luggage?

it happens especially with Low Cost Carriers,never happed to me but I usually check a bag anyway but I know it has happened to friends.

I've seen it happen quite a few times with low cost airlines. It looks like the airline staff keep count of how many people are bringing larger carry ons and if the plane is full and the overhead lockers will be filled, they ask people to check in their baggage. If you are concerned about this, try to get in line to board the plane early, so you are not among the last people to get on the plane.

Happens daily on Delta!

Delta does a really bad job of enforcing carry on requirements and once the overhead bins are full they gate check. Gate check is to your final destination. Be ready to take out any valuables (computers, ipads, electronics, prescriptions) out quickly and put them in your carryon luggage.

Thanks everyone! I am planning on having locks on the bags just in case this happens. But I will definitely try and get to the front of the line to board. ;)

my cousin travels Delta+KLM whenever he returns to UK and they frequently manage to lose his checked bags! He's got the form filling down to a fine art but they always turn up in the evening or next morning.

Make sure they are TSA approved locks. I've had carryons rejected by both Air France and Alitalia. Both times because of slight weight overages.

Two thoughts that will minimize your problems if you are required to gate check your carry on. First, be sure to have medications, important papers, and such in your purse or personal bag that will fit under the seat. Second, pack half of his clothes in your bag and half of your clothes in his bag. If one bag goes on it's own vacation you'll still have enough to get by.

I frequently fly Delta (and I've done KLM in Europe through Delta), and can recommend the following.

If you're flying US to Prague, the first leg of your flight should be fine for your carryon bags as long as they meet Delta's size requirements. When I have traveled to Europe, the overhead bin space has been sufficient on every flight.

Having said that, the people who may wind up gate checking luggage are the people who board last. If you are flying business or even Delta Comfort Plus, you should have no problems. If you have a Delta branded AmEx card and use it to book your flights, you should still be good. All of these things ensure earlier boarding spots.

I also have had no issues with KLM, but again boarding spot is key. Some smaller, regional planes simply cannot accommodate larger roller bags. For a point of reference, we just returned from a trip and my Rick Steves roller bag fit into the very tight space available where many larger roller bags did not.

As a previous poster said, divide your stuff between your available cases. AND if you can carry a huge purse or smaller backpack as your under the seat personal item, you can also make sure that your medications, electronics and a change of clothes make it with you.

Delta has only lost my suitcase once. I don't even feel it was their fault given the circumstances at the airport that day. The suitcase did reach me two days later.

Worst case scenario, make sure that you already have a lock on each carryon bag. Go ahead and download the Delta app. Sign up for a frequent flyer number if you do not already have one. If you are forced to gate check your bag, you will receive a receipt. Hang onto the receipt (do not let them take your bag without it). On our most recent flight, you could track your luggage (even gatechecked items) via the app, as long as they had given you a barcoded receipt.

Check to see if there are weight limitations beyond size limitations. A lot of European carriers are sticklers for this. Swiss Air is something like 8 kilos and even a small bag will likely weigh more than that. KLM probably has similar weight limits. And, Delta may have them on international flights.

I generally resign myself to check a bag and have a small carry on has a clean shirt and underwear and toiletries just in case.

My checked bag typically weighs about 25 lbs and is 20" x 13" x 9".

I was asked to use the carry-on bag sizer departing Prague. My RS Classic Carry-on Backpack was pretty stuffed but fit the sizing Czech Airlines sizing frame with a push on my part. It was allowed on board.

The usual case for gate checking is bags that are too big or when the aircraft's on-board luggage overheads cannot accommodate everyone's baggage.

Flying United to Colorado Springs on a smaller plane with limited space -- a sign in the boarding area requested all passengers to gate-check bags. Not a problem because I followed the advice given above -- medications and spare undwrwear were in my hand luggage under the seat and the intended carry-on was delivered to me at the airplane door on landing.

A lot depends on the specific plane.

When I flew from New York to Biarritz on Iberia, the flight from New York to Madrid was on a large plane, with plenty of room for everyone's carry-ons. So, I had no trouble bringing on both my carry-on and my personal item. However, the flight from Madrid to Biarritz was on a small jet with VERY small overhead bins. Therefore, while we could take our personal items on board, everyone had to gate-check the larger carry-on bags. Because the entire plane had to do this, it was very efficient. Iberia personnel went around the waiting area tagging everyone's bag. We deposited them on a rack as we boarded the plane, and they were waiting for us on the tarmac when we got off.

I agree with the tips to have all valuables, batteries, medications, etc., in your personal item, just in case, and to split up outfits, so that if one bag gets lost, both of you still have things to wear.

Thank you, everyone--this was extremely helpful info and many good suggestions! I do need to take a daily medication, so that, along with a small change of clothes will go into my personal item (purse) under the seat just in case. :)

Thanks again!