We are going to Italy on a tour - the airline says that carry on can be no larger than 55 cm in height, 35 cm in width and 25 cm in depth - that works out to be something like 21.5" 13.5" 9"
Looking around at luggage I find some that are close to this but are perhaps .5" too wide etc.
How strict are they and does anyone have suggestions for luggage that falls in that range that I don't have to mortgage the house to purchase
Peter - I understand that they are very strict with luggage size. If the bag you buy is soft sided and you don't stuff it then it can be squished into the sizer if they check you and it would most likely fit. If it is a hard sided bag you're looking at then you'd better buy smaller. We both have the RS convertible carry-ons. We have only used our bags half a dozen times since purchase and I'm darned if I'm going to go spend more money on bags. This is just reinforcement for underpacking.
Actually, 25 cm (9.84") thick is very big. Most bags are thinner than that. Look at the bags in a store and see if they are soft enough to get into 13.78" wide. Buy a 14" wide soft bag and it will easily squash to fit into 13.78 (35 cm).
My experience is that I have been able to get through with bags in Seattle, but I had one that was just a little too full and they made me check it when connecting through Heathrow. Ever since all the new liquid rules I've given up and just check a bag and only carry a small pack on the plane. I do pack a change of clothes and some toiletries onto the plane in case my checked bag gets delayed a day . . . that has happened many many times.
