So you have picked a place to go and now you have to pack. Do you check a bag or carry-on? There is no right or wrong answer. It really depends on what you feel comfortable doing. I personally prefer to only have carry-on. I do not like to wait 20 minutes or more for my luggage at my destination and it gives me some flexibility to take an earlier flight if available. Other may want to be less hassled with their baggage whilst on the plane. Being both a frequently traveler and having worked for the airlines, there some things to consider when deciding to check a bag or not.
- Do I have a connecting flight?
- Is the time between my connecting flight short (e.g. 30 mins or less)? The weather and highly trafficked airports do factor into your connection time with potential delays or shortening of connection times.
- Your bag gets lost or does not make my connection (odds are low on losing your bag, less than 1%). If this does happen, passengers are entitled to some compensation. Inquire with your airline.
- If your flight gets cancelled at the gate or you want to take an earlier connection, your bag is with you.
- The possibility of your luggage being damaged. Rest assure, a large majority of luggage arrives at your destination harm free.
- Baggage fees (enough said). You will however need to keep your airline’s baggage restrictions in mind when carrying on your baggage. European airlines are more restrictive (weight/size) than the U.S.
Travel Tip: some airline credit cards or mileage programs will waive the fee for one (1) checked bag per person.
Keep in mind your destination when deciding to carry-on or check a bag. You will have to lug it around, so the bigger your bag…not good. Many of the hotels in countries outside the U.S. have super small lifts (elevators) or no lifts at all. Planning a trip to the beautiful island of Santorini, Greece? Stairs, stairs, and more stairs. Does your trip include multiple modes of transportation? Trains and buses have limited space for luggage. If you are using the subway at your destination, you may encounter stairs at some stations
Santorini Stairs
Know what you can put in your luggage (carry-on or checked) by visiting the TSA website (https://www.tsa.gov). You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Checking a bag does allow you less restrictions on items, think YES on a bottle of wine and NO to lithium-ion batteries. (you are limited per a country’s customs rules on what you can and cannot bring in/out of a country)
Size and weight restrictions. Yep, sorry. This too is not without restrictions. There is not a ‘one-fits-all’ rule when it comes to luggage weight and size. Individual airlines are entitled to change luggage size requirements, so consult the airline(s) you will be traveling with.
Carry-on: U.S. carriers currently have a maximum dimensions for a carry-on bag are 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches (22 centimeters x 35 centimeters x 56 centimeters). This includes handles and wheels. There is (generally) not a weight restriction as long as YOU can lift it into the overhead bin. Flight attendants are there for your safety and not to lift your bag into the overhead. Generally, you are allowed to one (1) carry-on bag (per dimensions above) and one (1) personal item (briefcase, handbag, etc). Always consult the airline(s) you will be traveling with.
Checked: For checked luggage on a U.S. carrier maximum dimensions are 27 inches x 21inches x 14 inches (68 centimeters x 53 centimeters x 35 centimeters) and cannot weigh more than 50 lbs (22 kg). If you exceed the size and weight, you will be asked to pay an excess fee per bag (e.g. $50 per item over limit). Always consult the airline(s) you will be traveling with.
Getting through the security check point. Please do not be one of THOSE people who brings the kitchen sink to the security (TSA) check point. The less odds and ends you need to pull out or account for going through security, the quicker for everyone it will be. If you have a lot of stuff, please check your bag(s).
- Be prepared. Have your ID or passport and boarding pass (electronic or paper) in hand and ready to go BEFORE you queue up for security.
- If you are bringing gifts as a carry on, do NOT wrap them. You will have to open it at security.
- Put off adding a belt, jewelry, glasses, metally things, etc. until AFTER the security checkpoint.
- Choose easy on/off shoes or at least have your shoes ready to pull off/slip on prior/after security. Please wear sock! The airport floor is beyond gross.
- Have all your 3.4 oz or smaller liquids in an easy to access 1 quart bag.
- Same goes for your electronics (e.g. laptop), make them easy to access. In most cases you will need to pull them out of your carry-on to be placed in a bin prior to going through the security checkpoint.
- After security, quickly grab your belongings and step off to the side if you need to “redress” / repack. Do you have everything? Then off to your gate you go.