I am flying US Airways and I really want to carry on my luggage but the restrictions are 26 x 14 x 11: my carry on is 26 x 16 x 11...do you think I will be able to carry on anyway or should I just plan on checking my bag?
If I check my bag then I will be able to bring more shampoo and conditioner not just 3oz bottles.
Hi Laura, your bag is too big to take on. Even if you get away with it, you would have to turn your suitcase sideways and it will probably take up almost all of the bin, taking away space from other passengers.
When I take a big suitcase and check it, I do take advantage of the space and pack large sizes of liquid's etc. I would still take a change of clothes and the basic small toiletries in a carry-on. This would tide you over in case your luggage doesn't arrive when you do.
Why take a large suitcase just to pack more shampoo and conditioner? They have those things in Europe.
I don't want to take a larger bag, it's the size of the bag that I own. I really don't want to purchase two more pieces of luggage just so I can carry on.
I checked a bag to Reykjavik in 1993. I'm still waiting for it. If I were you, I'd get a new carry-on bag and buy shampoo in Europe.
I'm afraid you'll need a smaller bag to go carry on. I think it's worth the extra cost because on one trip my wife's luggage didn't arrive. The airline gave her $50, which didn't go very far in the winter. After 3 days, her bag arrived. Luckily we were flying directly to our destination, if we'd been moving around the bag would never have caught up. Now, if I can't carry on, I don't go.
I corrected the post.
With those new numbers you posted, you might be able to "get away" with carrying it on....but....if the flight is crowded you may not find space for it and it will be gate checked. If this is the case, I'd suggest you have a small bag, daypack, or something pre-packed with the items you need for the flight as you won't have access to the big bag.
I also hope it has wheels otherwise you will not be happy moving from one place to another.
Laura,
That's really a generous carry-on size. So, I guess you are lucky. If you still want to take it as carry on, you can try to shrink it, with the straps if it has any, if not you can buy those straps from any sporting goods store.
BTW, why you need more than 3oz shampoo and conditioner? You can find those anywhere in Europe.
US Airways charges $15 for the 1st checked luggage. With that money you could get shampoo etc overseas.
As far as the shampoo issue. If you are staying in hotels in Europe (not hostels) you will find plenty of shampoo bottles in the rooms. Like in the US, the hotels (in MOST cases) offer small bottles in the bathroom for your use. Unless you can't live without your normal shampoo for your travels, you will have to check your bag.
With the airlines trying to make money, keep in mind you should check US Airway's website, or call. You will most likely have to pay at least $15 for the 1st check bag (per passenger)
And yes, you bag is larger than carry on size, so you will have to check. Do not think you will get away with it, the ticket agent, or the flight attendant will not let you, you most likely will have to check it at the door to the jetway, or once aboard the plane. Carry on space on airplanes is at a premium now that airlines charge for checked bags, so trying to place the bag sideways to fit is not going to happen if your plane is full!
On a side note, we've checked our bags for every trip (and yes, they were even carry on size) and NEVER had a problem at the other end (knock on wood) but it can happen that the bag gets routed elsewhere. Always check the luggage tag the agent places on your back when you check to make sure it matches your final destination, and keep your bag claim tickets with your passport or other important documents.
I would operate under the assumption that you will have to check it. It makes more sense than to "hope" you get away with it. Do you have a smaller carry on bag that you could pack and take on the plane. When we flew last September, we were traveling on Air Lingus which has a 13 pound weight limit. I packed my Rick Steves roll aboard right up to the 13 pound limit and then had to check a bag. (The items I checked fit into the Rick Steves bag, but it put it over its weigh limit) As I packed, I made sure I carried enough on that I could "get by" on my trip if my checked luggage didn't arrive. If you do buy a bag, I highly recommend the Rick Steves Roll aboard. I was amazed at how much I could get into it. As for shampoo: when we traveled we did not stay in major hotels but small pensions and B&B type places. Shampoo was NOT provided and usually we had to have to have our own soap. Having said that, it was easy to purchase both. My husband bought shampoo in Austria- I carried enough of my own to get through 5 weeks. (I happen to be quite attached to the kind of shampoo I use.) However, with my shampoo, I got by with 3 ounces for 5 weeks. You might put some of your shampoo in a 3 ounce bottle and see how long it lasts. I wash my hair every day and I came home with about 1/4 bottle left. (My shampoo is pretty concentrated and doesn't take much) Have a great trip.
Just get a small cheap duffle bag at Walmart or Target, and use it as a carry on. Check your large bag. US Airways allows up to 2 checked bags with no fees to you as long as you are travelling internationally.
As well there's the weight consideration as others have mentioned. The airline that I'm flying with has a 5kg limit, and even with packing very lightly I'm finding it impossible to meet that limit.
I'd go for the essentials in another carry on bag, something like a backpack, and then check your main suitcase.
I agree with others that it is worth the money to buy a true carry-on size bag. Not only will your luggage not get lost or delayed (that has happened to us THREE TIMES in the last year), it saves time at the airport upon arrival.
For our 3 week summer trip in June, my husband and I took one RS wheeled carry-on and one medium sized backpack, not each, for both. As our personal item, we each had the RS Civita bag. Not willing to risk my luggage not making it...carry-on only for us. Shopping for necessities like shampoo in the stores in Europe is half the fun. Pack light, pack light, pack light. If I were you, I'd buy a smaller bag. Have a great trip!
On US Airways you do not have to pay any charge for checked luggage when traveling to Europe. But it has to be under a certain weight to be exempt from the charges.
I am not partial to any shampoo but I don't really want to waste time hunting down a drug store to purchase shampoo and conditioner. Has anyone used the no water needed shampoo? I have to wash my hair everyday otherwise it gets oily and this might be great for travelers.
http://www.dynamic-living.com/product/no-rinse-shampoo/
At Campmor.com, there's a carry on bag called the "Outdoor Products Essential Carry on". At $30 and less than 2 lb.,it may be the answer.
I bought the Essential Carryon from Campmor and recently used it for a 2 week trip to Belgium and the Czech republic. I loved it. Very light and good quality.Its all I'll ever need
The whole "should you go carry-on or not" question is a really personal thing, and I know that many posters (myself included) swear by it. IF you really want to go carry-on, and plan of travelling even 1 more time in the next few years, the cost of buying a new bag may be worth it to you. The airlines are very strict about size limits, so if you decide to buy a new bag, do double check the size Before you buy.
I guess I carry on as a matter of principal, keeps me from taking too much, I am out of the airport quicker, and no risk of losing my bag. On the way home though, I check nearly everything just to be able to relax and not lug things around. (That and I nearly always have "liquids" packed in my bag.)
Paul took the words out of my head - we go to Europe every summer for a month and include a RS tour in that month. We each have a RS wheeled carry-on sized suitcase that we take onto the plane. Coming home we do check them as we don't worry as much about them getting delayed. As far as shopping for items like shampoo or conditioner, have you ever been to Europe before? They are now in the 21st Century and have stores that sell those products all over the place. Happy travels.
In regards to buying things (basic stuff) I usually plan on it. Besides personal items, I will freshen up my wardrobe along the way. I pack light, so only an extra pair of pants, maybe two, and only maybe three shirts. So along the way I will pick up a shirt or two, usually some socks (fresh socks are a wicked pleasure after washing yours in a sink for two weeks) and maybe beach stuff if that is where I wind up, or a sweatshirt for the mountains, that type of thing. Point is, do not worry about bringing something for every eventuality, get it there if needed. I also find shopping in a department store, away from the tourist crowds a travel experience in itself (OK, I also go into just about every grocery store as well for entertainment)
