Travel Technology - Carry-ons for UK travel

I don't know if this is the correct forum for this but... With the restriction for one carry-on bag flying in or out of the UK, is there a bag that can be converted from two bags to one when traveling to the UK? Thanks

I don't know if this is the correct forum for this but... With the restriction for one carry-on bag flying in or out of the UK, is there a bag that can be converted from two bags to one when traveling to the UK? Thanks

There are size limits to the carry-on imposed by Security, so you can't just join two bags together unless overall the single unit is within the limits.

In practice, many people just leave enough space in the main carry-on for the second bag (e.g. lady's handbag/purse, laptop) when actually passing through security. This is then removed after security, leaving space for the shopping. :D

Key to this is getting a sufficiently large main carry-on, within the limits. Many bags do not use the full size allowances, especially the width:

"Passengers are allowed to carry ONE item of hand baggage, no larger than:
56 centimetres tall (approximately 22 inches)
45 centimetres wide (approximately 17.7 inches)
25 centimetres deep (approximately 10 inches)"

(N.B. Some airlines, but not security, are more restrictive than this.)

Incidentally, the one carry-on item only applies when leaving the UK, although you would normally want to plan for the departure on the way in.

I use a Briggs & Riley 20" which just (and I mean just) fits into the UK gauges.

I can normally fit a week's clothes and a slim laptop case into it.

I know it's a little off subject but how do you fit a week's worth of clothes AND a computer caase in a 20" bag? What am I doing wrong????

Just as a note on BAA sizing...my wife has a 22" Travelpro that did NOT fit their sizer (went about halfway in) and they would not allow us past. So if you are carrying a 22", be very aware it could be right on the edge.

Steve

What am I doing wrong????You're packing too much clothing! Think Rick Steeves :D

My 20" TravelPro just makes it into the UK sizer.

Rick who?

I know it's a little off subject but how do you fit a week's worth of clothes AND a computer caase in a 20" bag? What am I doing wrong????

Ditto that. How is this possible?

Thanks for the info - very helpful

Thank you for the info - it will make my selection much easier

Ditto that. How is this possible?

Replace 2/3 of your clothes with laundry supplies.

I'm looking for a soft cabin tote which will maximize the BA sizer dimensions. My idea is to use detachable wheels and put them inside the bag at security. I have a large Briggs & Riley but it is 11.5" deep and the allowance is 10". I'd like outside pockets but not fixed inside dividers. Suggestions?

Sylvia

Rick who?

Rick Steves, author of Europe Throught the Back Door (read it) and a jillion other travel books. (OT: I have never been disappointed staying in even a cheap hotel he recommends in one of his books.) Basic motto of PACK LIGHT. Pack your suitcase, then take half the stuff out and leave it at home. :D

A lot of packing tips on his web site www.ricksteves.com Mostly for vacation travel, how to do 2 or three weeks in Europe (in the summertime) with one carry on. If you need suits and ties for garb, even for a short trip you will have to check a bag. :( Winter travel is also much more difficult.

Apologies to overseas freinds as I post in "inches". :D You can convert to mm better than I can. :D

As mentioned above, I am surprised LHR sizers allow 10 inches deep. This is my biggest pet peave with all the bag makers: Do they never travel with their own stuff? On most planes I find that under seat or overhead, about 9 inches is all you can bet will fit. (Note: Business or vacation, I am a Carry On to the MAX limit and check nothing if possible flyer. Airline and airport size limits are all posted on the web. My bags are maxed but within the limits.)

Look on ebags. There is nothing for sale under 9 inches. :mad: Many bags say 9 inches in the description, but the real bag with handles and such is 9.5 inches and that is before you over stuff it. :D Compression straps pull the edges in but do not pull the center height in.

IIRC the LH posted size limit for cabin bags is 8.5 inches. I find NOTHING for sale in the US that is this small. Lots of 9.5 to 10 inches, even in 18 to 20 inch bags, which are good for checked bags only. I have an old Eagle Creek 22 inch roller with a backpack that zips on. Without the backpack and without being stuffed, it is 8.5 inches deep and barely fits through the security sizer at FRA, where I see lots of pax being sent back to check their 9.5 inch stuffed to 10.5 inch "carry on" bags.

For those of you who want a bag like mine, too bad. This model is discontinued. The current Eagle Creek roller with zip off backpack has the same "depth inflation" and is 9 inches. :td::td::td::td: US bag makers simply do not sell things suitable for carry on use in Europe. :mad:

Every president of every bag maker should be required to take a RTW trip with their own largest bag before they can call it a "carry on." If they have to check it once, they're fired! ^

I'm going nuts trying to measure my bags to determine which to take with me for the trip back home! (I have camera equipment that I want to make sure stays with me!)

The size that the manufacturer claims for the bags is just sooo wrong! If I buy a 22 inch bag I would expect it to fit in a 22 inch box. No, it won't. It would certainly be nice if the manufacturer could specify the outer dimensions of the bag with a "normal" amount of clothing/stuff which includes things like the wheels, handles, feet and anything else attached to the bag. Something on the order of "This bag, when normally packed, will fit into a box/sizer with interior dimension of 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm."

Maybe this is a marketing thing like $xx one-way but only if you buy a return at the same time and then we add the taxes and fees so that the $xx listed is only a guess and we really don't know how much it will be until after you buy it.