new rollaboard expanded=ok for american airlines?

Most airlines will not let you carry on the bag once you have expanded it. If you want to carry it on, don't expand it. If you need to expand it, then plan to check it.

By the way, the AA website states that carry-on cannot be larger than 22 x 14 x 9.

http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/baggageAllowance.jsp

I read American's specifications to say that each dimension listed is a maximum and the bag must fit into the "sizer." That means no trading off an inch here for an inch there, even if it still totals 45."

Also, keep in mind that if you're one of the last to board and overhead space gets full, that can be another reason for the airline to gate-check your bag. Keep valuables in your smaller "personal" bag," which will fit under the seat in front of you.

This reminds me of a man I saw on a flight. He boarded with an expanded carry-on. It was about 12" thick. First he tried to force it into the overhead bin. No luck. Then he tried to force it into the area under the seat in front of him. Nyet. Then a younger man took the bag and forced it into an overhead bin. It looked like it took quite a lot of force to accomplish this. I think it is unreasonable to expect to board with a bag expanded to its limits, even if it is "allowed."

o.k....thanks for all your replies...

No, they will not send you back to check it. They will just take from you at the gate and do what is call, gate check. You need to maximize you bag when it is not expanded. Unfortunately my wife's rolling bag is dark green with several exterior pockets so it looks big. It will always past the box test. Very tight fit but it fits. But she is frequently stopped at the gate and told that the bag is too big. For some reason, it does look big.

So if your bag is expanded, I know it will look big so it will just depend on the gate personal and how carefully they are watching luggage. So take it expanded but do not be surprised if force to gate check.

I put my bag (non-RS) through the United sizer as a test before packing -- no problem. Then at the airport AFTER packing it didn't fit (unexpanded) so I didn't even try to carry on. Made it much easier to walk through the airport, though, and only added a few minutes to getting out after the flight. Carry-on may be overrated.

Laura B - Carry on can seem overrated until your checked bag doesn't show up. I concur that the extra 20-30 minutes waiting for the checked bag isn't a big deal usually. But, spending a lot of time on the phone with airlines and not having your bag for 4-5 days does put a damper on your trip, especially if you're not staying in one place very long and your bag is trying to play catch up, is a big deal, at least for me. I do sometimes check a bag, because sometimes I travel for work and carry work-related things, but when I do, I make sure to carry whatever I'll need for my first 24-48 hours in a carryon of some sort, so I'm not spending my first jetlagged day trying to find pajamas, underwear, etc.

The concern about lost bags is also over rated. The vast majority of all bag arrive on time. Granted if your bag is part of the one tenth of one percent that doesn't make it, it is a super pain in the butt. But, again, the probability of a lost bag is so low is that it is not a factor in our decision to carry on. We carry on mostly for the overall convenience.

I will grant you that lost luggage is rarely a big concern for me. However I have checked bags in the past. Often it added 10 minutes of waiting time or so after I had deplaned which is no big deal to me. Once I waited an hour and 45 minutes (in the Toronto airport) and almost missed my flight (had to reclaim your luggage and go through security again.) That was the most significant delay I have had waiting for luggage but I did make my flight by running through the airport with my shoes untied with my belt in hand. In many airports (such as various cities in Germany I have passed through) you must go through security after a connecting flight---with your luggage. Carry on is great there as I have no wish to repeat my Toronto experience.

rylanderjones, the thing about carryon size restrictions: there is the written policy, what some people will get away with, and the willingness of the gate agent to enforce. All of which can be overruled by the flight attendant. I haven't found it makes much difference which airline, it depends on the circumstances that day, on that flight. So you just need to make your best judgment and consider your willingness to risk.

I do agree with Frank. If you are pushing the limit, its no sin to check a bag. If worried about losing a bag, only check expendables and things easily replaced. I think the main advantages of carryon-only as promoted by RS, are ease of getting to and from hotels, getting on and off public transportation, and just having fewer things to manage - not just the wait for baggage at the airport.

yes, I'm beginning to see the "luck" factor in it all...over the years I've had my bags lost (transatlantic to Europe at Christmas--ugh) and my airport (Austin,TX) is notorious for 30-45 min. delays in getting bags at certain times (or at least MY flights :0(
On the other hand, more than once the bins have been so full that I've had to put my carry-on in a bin in the back, requiring me to wait until most people had exited before going against the (salmon)flow to get it--and almost missing the next flight...stressful...so there's no certainty ...so many factors to consider...maybe i'll flip a coin :0)
Thanks for the info...

Just checked the description on the RS store page -- it specified that the bag would NOT meet carry-on standards when expanded.

Yes, it will not meet standards if anyone bothers to check it.