Originally Posted by
decemberist
To add to the discussion about carry-ons, here's my dilemma: I fly Virgin Atlantic to the US four or five times a year, and internally with Virgin America or JetBlue. Stays are often 5 nights, but I'm an efficient, light packer. I like to take a carry on only, plus a satchel for my laptop.
The BR U420LC (20" Carry On International Upright) looks perfect with the right amount of space and organisation (but btw it's £259 over here - not at all equivalent to the $ price).
The VA carry on dimension limits are a measly 9"x14"x22", and more importantly, when travelling in PE, the weight limit is just 13lb. The 'light' BR is 10lb, and granted at check in you often get away with a little extra weight, but I have had to check an overweight bag on occasion when caught out. And then there's the question of the outer dimensions of the BR being over the limit too...
So, do I go with a Samsonite B-Light or similar, and forsake the features of the BR?
Any advice/experience/suggestions gratefully received. Thanks!
Those dimensions are the normal 45" linear. The problem at VS, as you pointed out, is their weight limits. I was once in the departure lounge and a gate agent literally was walking around and telling people to gate check bags. When I protested, she feigned difficulty in lifting both my carry on and my smaller bag with my laptop in it. She took the rollaboard for gate checking. It was annoying to no end.