I'm a hobby/amateur bookbinder. There are some beautiful papers to be had in London. A friend tells me she folds hers and puts them in her suitcase, or sometimes buys a cardboard tube and puts them in there. I do often bring back a book or two, plus flyers, handbills etc. to use in my travel journal, but I'm not sure a poster would survive as well.
I will have a carry-on bag and personal item. Does anyone know if airlines (specifically, Virgin Atlantic) would not allow me to take a cardboard tube on board? I figure I can put it in the overhead bin. Thanks!
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12115 posts
https://help.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/baggage/hand-baggage.html
My 'guess' at what the gate agent allows the day you fly would be no help. Perhaps a bit more lenient if in biz or better class.
The airline is the only source for a definitive answer.
Posted by
395 posts
I've never flown Virgin Atlantic.
But I have traveled with a cardboard tube in the past. Long before airlines started charging for checked bags and everyone started carry-on only. I put it in the overhead. No problem.
Where you might get resistance is from having too many items. 1 carry-on, 1 personal item. Not 1 carry-on, 1 personal item and 1 cardboard tube. Can you fit it into your carry-on? Or can you somehow strap it/tape it to the personal item. I've seen yoga bags that have something like a trolley strap for the yoga mat.
I got stopped at the gate once because I had my underseat carry-on, my waist-pack and a neck pillow stuffed in a drawstring bag. I had to consolidate the waist-pack and drawstring bag that had my pillow in it. Could only have 2 items. All fit under the seat and after getting on board, they became 3 items again.
Shrug.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7998 posts
The last two domestic trips I was on in November & December, the gates were announcing a strict 2 items only. And I saw them stopping people and making them consolidate even a fanny pack. So, plan on two total items.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5696 posts
Ive brought back handmade papers in a tube in the past, but always put them in my checked bag, so it fit diagonally. Mailing tubes can be found as short as 12". Perhaps measure the inside diagonal in your carry on to see how long a tube will fit?
Posted by
395 posts
That's another idea. Mail it home.
Posted by
OP
Pennsylvania, USA
773 posts
Thanks, all. I will definitely measure the diagonal on my checked bag. Mailing, I'm afraid it would get lost. The postal service seems so unreliable these days...
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
798 posts
Yes , they will allow you to bring the cardboard tube but no, they will not let you bring the cardboard tube, your personal item and your carry-on. You would have to check the carry-on.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
431 posts
I have brought tubes home a couple of times, most recently from Greece in 2022 on Delta and have not been stopped. However, both times the tube was one of my 2 allowed items. I usually consolidate to make sure I never have more than two items.
Posted by
OP
Pennsylvania, USA
773 posts
I measured my suitcase and I don't think it's going to be able to fit a tube. At least the size tube that will accommodate the paper I have in mind.
Thanks, everyone, for your opinions!