Food for Thought, Lifestyles - Written by trench on Saturday, April 26, 2008 0:59 - 9 Comments

We need standardized carry on sizes!

With a little over five weeks left before our month long vacation to the US mainland, my wife and I have been debating on whether to check in luggage or to simply travel light with a single carry on and a small backback.

After reading all the problems the airlines in the continental United States have had the past couple years with baggage claims and lost luggage, we opted for the latter. We just need to find time to sort out our things so we know exactly what we’ll be needing and what we can do without.

Its seems that the biggest problem now is figuring out what carry on we can use to get to all our destinations without having to check-in anything. Each plane we board on our flight route have different specifications for their carry on capacity.

After finalizing the itinerary we ended up on three different carriers. The most accommodating was Continental. They allow the following size. 51 linear in or 130 cm(L+W+H). Northwest however, was a bit more restrictive at 45 linear inches (9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches)

My biggest problem however is the intercontinental travel on US Airways. Although they allow up to 51 inches/129 cm (11×14x26 inches or 28×35x66 cm) I have this short flight on a smaller aircraft run by US Airway Express which requires a much smaller carry on 45 inches/114 cm (19×15x11 inches or 48×38x28 cm). I think it would be pretty ridiculous if I had to check in my bags just to fly on a plane for about an hour. I’ve been trying to get more information on this because the plane although operated by US Airways Express is called Air Wisconsin so the bag requirements might be different. I have not been able to get any information on this however.

So many problems to take a simple vacation these days. It would really be ideal if they could come up with a standard size for all planes. Or at the very least make it so that if we buy the complete package route on your carrier, we can use the carry on throughout our trip with no complications.

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There also needs to be standard for luggage weight.

Flying to Vietnam I think I had 60kgs. Yet from VN to Malaysia, which was still international, only got 20 kgs. I didn’t know that until I was at the airport and got fined. I think it was on the ticket, but I didn’t know there were differences.
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Comment by Michael on April 26, 2008 at 3:13 am

The varied restrictions on carry-on sizes are probably indicative of differences in actual plane sizes. Smaller planes do not have the extra overhead compartment space, such as your Air Wisconsin flight.
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Comment by Toni on April 26, 2008 at 5:45 am

Toni, it just sucks that we might have to check in that bag for just a single short flight like this. Why not fly straight from Vegas to Richmond instead. Boo!

Michael, I agree. It sucks when your clueless as to whats going on.
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Comment by trench on April 26, 2008 at 4:03 pm

Traveling light wherever you go is a big plus. An advantage to this is that you can zip through customs. Good thing you aren’t going in the winter due to the added size of winter clothes.
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Comment by Polaris671 on April 26, 2008 at 4:53 pm

I agree john. Good thing we dont need winter clothes. I hear Virginia is hot this time of year and so is Vegas. The only real place we’ll need warm clothing is in Seattle and Canada.
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Comment by trench on April 26, 2008 at 5:47 pm

You’ve just reminded me that I never really shared my adventures with lost luggage during my travels Dec/Jan. To be honest with you… if I weren’t a girl… I would definitely be carrying light all the time. In fact, I’m still going to try and do my best to do so! All the best on your travels… do tell where you’ll be going???
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Comment by fragileheart on April 30, 2008 at 12:25 pm

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Pingback by united express airlines on May 2, 2008 at 12:50 pm

Virginia is freezing right now… was in the 50’s yesterday and the 60’s today. We have crazy weather.

Tonis last blog post..Nuptial News
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Comment by Toni on May 13, 2008 at 2:41 pm