Airline Personal Carry-On Item

This still doesn't answer my question -- How big is small? LOL
Thanks

I agree that "it depends" ... I have seen some people carry what I take to be LARGE -- one of those "stuff it all in" bags and get away with it. Other times, nope.

Can you describe what you've thinking of trying to carry on as your "small" item?

As someone who flies a lot between Hawaii and Seattle and Seattle and Europe, I have seen people bring all kinds of stuff into airplanes. Even on the same airlines, I have seen different enforcement, with some things allowed and others made to check them at the entrance to the plane. As someone else has already said, "it al depends...". Personally, I wish that airlines would go back to using the device at the gate that we use to have to put our carry-ons into to see if they fit and thus were able to take them into the plane. That way plane loading would go much smoother in not having to wait for folks who have taken way too large of carry-ons trying to find space for them or being unable to fit them into the overhead storage bins. Aside, I would sure like to see the airlines reserve the overhead bins for the folks in the row beneath the bin. Lately, when I am sitting towards the front of the plane, when I board I find most or all of the overhead bins taken by folks who boarded earlier and did not want to take their carry-ons back to where they are seating. I recently flew first class (a rare occasion believe me) and when I was boarded right after all of the disabled and those with children, all of the overhead bins in first class were already filled with personal items or crew stuff. I would have expected better in first class on Hawaiian Airlines.

I have traveled with one laptop that fits in a bag that is 12"x10"x3". My latest one fits in a bag 11"x9"x3½".

That's small.

I mostly fly Continental. We have had no problems taking a tote bag the size that slips over the handles of a wheeled bag as our personal item. As long as it fits under the seat it probably won't be a problem.

Am I reading too much into your question by guessing that you are trying to figure out the absolute maximum you can carry on the plane?

My best advice would be to pack light. Really. Don't try to max out what you can carry - rather try to see how little you can bring. You will be glad you did.

I lost a camera on a bus at Oktoberfest because I was trying to keep track of too many items. Since then my rule is everything I have is in one handle. It's easier to keep track of for security reasons and easier to pack around.

I bring a daypack in addition to my carry-on. Anytime I'm carrying my bag, however, the daypack is packed inside - not carried as an extra item.

Thank you all for your help. We are traveling light -- each have a carry on -- the problem is we bought a day bag that's tamper proof and has a padded back place for delicate items but this makes it totally inflexible so we can't put it in the carry on bags and it seems bigger than would be allowed as the personal item. I'm wondering if we try and they say it's too big -- what do they do with it?

Patricia

Patricia,

If you really want/need to bring both bags, the best thing to do is pack as if you will have to check one of them (but hope that you don't have to). Make sure that you have all the important items in the bag that you will definitely carry on along with a change of clothes. If you are travelling with someone else, you may want to each put half of your items in the others bag.

They may very well allow you to carry both ... but if they don't, just be prepared.

Patricia - I usually use a day pack for my camera and anything heavy that I dont want to be weighed in my RS Bag (electronics books etc). If you have a small day pack (think 20L or less) you should be fine. I consider it my personal item like a briefcase or laptop bag. All your electronics and etc can be in there. again as someone said - if it fits under the seat that should be fine. If asked tell them its your purse & camera bag and you should be fine!

Thank you. The bag I'm worrying about is approx. 18 x 15 x 4 In.

Patricia, that bag is a little big....but...it's really up to the gate agent. If they think it's too big, you'll have to check one of the bags. More than likely they'll gate check it. (You can ask for it.) What that means is they take the bag from you at the end of the jetway, and then when you get off the plane, you get the bag back. No need to go to the baggage carousel.

I can't speak for CO as I don't fly them often. But on most airlines now if your bag is gate checked you WILL be picking it up at baggage claim. Exceptions are things like strollers/wheelchairs etc. Luggage is not re-delivered to you at the gate. (Unless you are on a commuter plane, but those don't generally fly from the US to Europe!)

It would be nice to have the same carryon restrictions airline employees follow (3 bags, etc.)

Edwin

Thanks everyone. Looks like we'll have to bite the bullet and check one bag.

Pat