Carry On Sizes

Measure the height, width, and depth of your bag. If the total, added together, is less than 45 inches, you'll be fine.

If you have a ETBD convertible carry-on bag, it should be OK. As long as it is not "stuffed", it should fit the size requirements. A rigid, wheeled, carryon might not fit.

I just flew Lufthansa with a slightly smaller bag with no problem.

I carried by RS 21 inch rolling bag on Continental in October.

It is a Travel Pro bag. I guess I'll just have to dig out a measuring tape and see what happens. I've carried this bag on Continental before many times, but with new restrictions I am a little worried. I don't have time now, nor do I really want to spend the money to get a new bag.

Continental changed it's carry-on bag policy on Nov.1. When you measure your bag, make sure you include the wheels and handles.

Okay, I think I'm screwed. My empty bag measures 24x10x15 including the handle and wheels. I guess my only option is to try to carry it on and see what happens. I guess the worst thing they can do is make me check it.

I've kinda given up on this. I have a very small carry on that will even fit under the seat in front on me and it carries the real essentials (change of cloths, toliet kit) and then I now check a bag. I think the days of traveling with just a carry on are, well limited, for most of us. I did indeed travel around the world for 6 weeks with just a carry on bag. It was a Army surplus duffle bag. Good luck gettting that on a plane today. Yes I could travel to Europe for 6 weeks today with just a backpack but do I really want to given the cost of air travel, B&B's, trains etc. And yes, I know this is anti-Rick Steves travel advice.

While using a rolling bag that now must be checked is hot his style of travel, Rick Steves readily admits that his wife, daughter and the majority of his staff prefer a wheeled bag.

RS Packing Light

I always check a bag, and I have never had a problem with delayed bags. Just to be on the safe side, though, I keep essentials and a change of shirt, socks, and underwear in my carryon. On recent flights to and from Costa Rica (last week) the overhead bins were jammed with wheeled bags. On one flight they were not even allowing coats and jackets in the bins in order to make room for bags. With a 24" bag you have no choice -- you will have to check it.

My bag is considered a 21" bag, and I have carried it on multiple times before. Continental has apparently changed the size they allow for carry on, so I'm afraid that when all the dimentions are added up it will be too big. I will attempt to carry it on and hope it works. My biggest concerns about checking the bag are that - 1. We have a very long (overnight) layover in Houston (we will actually spend the night with my mother-in-law and return to the airport in the morning) so it may increase the possibility of the bag getting misrouted. We leave here (Sacramento) at noon on 12/24, but don't arrive in Amsterdam until the morning of 12/26; and 2. We fly to Amsterdam but will only be there for 24 hours before taking the train to Bruges. If my bag is delayed it would be difficult to get it.

I guess it could be worse. The news showed horrible weather delays for people traveling to Portland and Seattle. I don't think that will affect us, and the airports we travel through aren't having weather issues. We will just have to go with the flow...

If you make it to the gate with the bag, and then they say it has to be checked, ask for it to be "gate checked."

Gate checked means it is put separately than the "hold" bags and you will retrieve it as you get off the plane rather than at the baggage carousel. Not all airlines will do this, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Whatever you do, don't have them check the bag through to Amsterdam. You won't see it until you get to Amsterdam. If they have to check it at "check in," only get it checked through to Houston. And then, the following day, check it through to Amsterdam.

I found a Jansport bag that measures 20 1/2 x 13 x 11, which would just barely fit the requirements. It obviously has a smaller capacity than what I am used to, but I'm going to use it next time. The bag seems sturdy and cost less than $100--more like $70, as I recall.

My bag is considered a 21" bag. .. My empty bag measures 24x10x15 including the handle and wheels.

Darned airlines. When they say a bag can't be longer than 21", they measure it instead of going by what someone considers it to be.

Seriously, though, the 21" is probably the length of the part that holds your luggage, not the entire bag.

I've flown to Europe twice in the last 15 month, once less than two month ago, and I saw plenty of people getting on with oversized bags (You'll recognize them. They're the ones trying to push to the front of the line so they can get their bag in the bin before the "legal" people). But I have yet to see anyone denied taking a bag on because it was too long, so you might as well try. Just realize that, if caught, you don't have a leg to stand on, so allow for having to check it.

I have heard of an airport putting "gate checked" bags on the next plane to the destination, but I don't think they would do that on a trans-Atlantic flight, where the next one is tomorrow. Would they?

I have two bags, my 21" wheeled bag and a smaller tote. I just finished packing and will have enough room in my tote for several days worth of clothing, etc. I am seriously concerned about my bag arriving in Amsterdam with me, in case I have to check it. I wouldn't worry so much except for the length of the layover. So let me see if I understand this correctly - If I have my bag "gate checked" I will be able to pick it up as I get off the plane?

Here's how gate checked works (and remember it may not be available on all flights.)

The flight attendant, door attendant, whomever, decides there is not enough room in the overhead for more bags. You will be instructed to leave the bag at the end of the jetway where baggage handlers will load it into the hold. When the plane arrives, those bags marked "gate checked" will be returned to the jetway when you arrive. You will pick it up there and continue on through the terminal as if it was a carry -on.

Now, if at the gate, the rep prints out a computer baggage tag and slaps it on your bag, it is going into regular baggage claim. Should they do this...and this is important...ask that your bag be gate checked instead. If they won't, explain that you have a 24 hour layover in Houston and will need the bag as you are not staying at the airport. Ask if they will only check it through to Houston. If they will, you pick up your bag in Houston at baggage claim and re-check it in the next day for Amsterdam. (It is possible that you might get an inept agent who isn't capable of doing this and your bag will be checked through. There's even a chance your bag will get to Amsterdam before you do.)

Bags normally get misplaced when there is a change of plane with a short connection, numerous changes, or late arrival of bags that never make it on to the plane.

Don't lose sleep over this. The vast majority of bags arrive with their owners. You only hear the stories of the ones that don't.

Excuse me for what I'm about to write, but I just can't resist: Since you're flying Continental, have you check to make sure your bag is fireproof?

Sorry......

Frank Im not sure that last comment was necessary.Stick with good advice which you usually post.

I got to Paris today and finally have access to a computer. I just wanted to report that at no time on my three flights to get here did anyone questions my bag. There was a remark made to my husband, who has a bag smaller than mine. His is red and mine is black. That just proves my theory that black makes you look smaller... :)

. . . and red always draws attention!

Have fun!