baggage question

Remember the measurement includes the wheel base (which can add a good inch in some cases). If you can, and for peace of mind, take the actual bag to a Delta counter and ask them.

I have never seen anyone "measure" luggage. However, they put the bag into a measuring box. And it all has to fit inside the box -- wheels, handle, etc. If anything sticks out, it is checked. I have stood in a check-in line and watched as everyone's wheeled bag was reject. Also, I have also observed that the spinner type luggage is a poor performer on anything other than a smooth surface. In Europe it is rare to find a smooth surface.

I agree with previous comment about uneven surfaces. If you are going to be walking anywhere besides the airport and cannot carry your bag, I would seriously consider a different style of bag.

I have to agree with Frank and Kay. I've had spinner luggage (well, still do) but use it only for domestic flights, you know, land, hop the Avis Shuttle and into the trunk. I've had at least one of the wheels knocked off on domestic trips where, while annoying, isn't a deal breaker. For international travel I have a soft sided bag with LARGE mostly recessed wheels. Also have same in hard sided luggage which I take when visiting my daughter-in-law's family in Northern Japan (a place of snow and of much rain).

Oh no! I got a 21" spinner suitcase to carry on for my Italy trip because last time (Paris and London)I was miserable lugging a 23" suitcase with the 2 recessed wheels thru the metro. I thought the spinner would be better so I can push it in front of me or beside me as it hurt my shoulder to pull it behind me. Why don't the spinners do well on the cobblestones?

The only problem I had with my spinner is running with it in the train station. It sort of took on a life of its own and went in the opposite direction of where I was pushing it. I don't foresee a lot of walking with it, except for the airport and the train station as we have a rental car for most of our trip. I re-measured it and I think that it will make the 62 inch cut off including the wheel frame, excluding the handle.

I doubt they will measure the dimensions of a checked bag, but a carry-on probably. Weight will be more of a problem. You would be better off with a bag you can pull behind you (2 wheeler) as you may have to deal with uneven/cobblestone streets and a 4 wheeler will have a problem negotiating such pavement as the wheels will likely get stuck and the bag will be hard to handle, not to mention that the wheels will probably get knocked off in transit. If you pull a bag behind you it can "skip" over gaps and bumps. Life will be easier. How big is your bag? If it is too large, it will be difficult to get up and down stairs (some buildings don't have elevators) and also on/off of trains. I made a huge mistake of taking a very large bag on my first trip to Italy (Europe). I regretted that and have used smaller and smaller bags ever since.

After accusing other people of not properly reading questions, I realize that I miss read your question. I was think of a spinner for carry-on luggage and whether you would be forced to check it.

To directly answer your question now that I understand it. I have never seen a checked bag checked for size - only weight. So I would not worry if your bag is within a inch or so. It would have to be obviously very over sized to be a problem.

Now -- reading between the lines and recognizing that many of us truly believe in packing light -- a large spinner bag approaching 50 lbs is going to be very difficult to hand in Europe. I know it many be too late but you really should rethink the size issue. And since you stated that this was your checked bag, I am suspicious that you also have a carry on bag. You are approaching the level of "way too much stuff." But good luck.

Thanks, Frank. You have very valid points about being able to handle my bag once I am in Italy. I am going to try to remove a few items from my wardrode and maybe do a little more sink washing. My carry on will be tiny, probably about 10 lbs. or less.

I have a "stuff" issue because I am bringing gifts for 10 people (family, friends, hosts, etc...) Believe me, they are all small and light, except for a certain book that my cousin requested. I think that is the source of all my anxiety now. My bag is 31 inches high. I am locked in with the spinner now because I leave tomorrow. However, I will weigh my bag and try to make it as light as possible.

Lori, you should ship your gifts FedEx to arrive ahead of you. Don't pack them and make life difficult for yourself. This would be the ideal solution for so many gift items.

Lori: maybe you could put some of the heavier items in your backpack. That is what I did when I returned from Italy - I put a lot of "stuff" in that backpack and it saved me.

Is there a size limit on the Italian trains? I'm taking a 25" suitcase on wheels---will that work?

If you can get it up the very steep and crowded steps into the train, and down the narrow aisle you will be OK. The train has no restriction on what you can carry on except for really large items like a bicycle. Probably too big for overhead storage so put in the bins near the car entrance.