Spanish

You and me both. Tote will be fine...

PHLGovFlyer

I've done it many times. Mostly cases of wine.

A few years ago traveling from GOI to BLR the security screeners pulled my carry on luggage from the x-ray machine. They saw the small cork screw that I keep in my toiletries bag and said I can't carry it on the aircraft. It's about 4 inches long and 0.5 inches diameter - mostly plastic with a metal helix. They politely offered to check it to BLR, so I took them up on their offer. The looks on the baggage agents at BLR when I picked it up were priceless! You could just see the end of it sticking out from under the sticker.



Maybe I should cut back on the wine...

pauleeepaul

Years ago MIA- SAP someone had checked a couple of automobile tires. Upon inspection they weren't even new.

mvoight

I did that for a flight to MBJ when my kids where younger. It contained snacks and water toys. It was the only time I ever had to go to secondary screening on arrival in a foreign country.
If everything was in large suitcase, I am sure it would have been cleared without an issue, but a cardboard box suddenly meant something illegal was going on. Interesting government logic

TBRIC

Way back in the day, before Coors was available on the east coast, I packed a dozen cans in checked luggage coming back from CA. Upon arrival at baggage claim, that piece of luggage was not on the carousel. About 15 minutes later, baggage agent walks out from the back holding a bag dripping from the bottom, calling my name. Several cans did not make it in one piece. Decades later my kids are still laughing. Thin aluminum cans cannot take much trauma!

OTD

I once put three cases (IIRC) of Coors in an Air Force duffel bag to bring to Florida. It weighed a ton. The clerk at MCI made me put it on the scale, but I was able to have the bottom third of the bag sit on the floor, which she didn't notice. Even so, I just made the weight limit. In my case, all the Coors made it safely to Florida and into my friends' bellies.

wetrat0

This is the only real issue-- ensuring it's secured so that it doesn't open in transit. Some departure airports have that service that will shrink wrap your luggage-- I have used that when I've checked cardboard boxes and the like. Otherwise, use a nylon baggage strap-- useful to check things like coolers where the lid might be prone to open unexpectedly. Sturdy packaging tape (alone) would be a last resort for me if I didn't have anything else.

If your item does not appear sturdy, it's also possible the agent will make you accept a damage waiver (meaning, they'll let you check it in only if you agree that they won't be responsible if it gets damaged). Never experienced it on AA but this has happened to me a couple times when checking in non-suitcase items on Southwest. Each time the item came through fine.

Redeemed

Thanks for all of your replies. I will try the Rubbermaid tote and make sure it's securely fastened!

mvoight

I am sure other passengers weren't thrilled to find out their bags had beer all over them

Losgatos

American Airlines says NO to boxes, totes, coolers. Anybody suggest a workaround? Was hoping to travel first class with 4 totes toColombia in lieu of shipping household goods.

Antarius

Buy some cheap suitcases.

AA has restrictions on non suitcases for certain locations. To my knowledge, there isn't a way around it other than to comply.

LAX2Anywhere

I’ve used a cheap foldable duffle bag and put box (or boxes) inside on AA to a destination that had restrictions on non-suitcases with no problems.

redtop43

When I worked in Bermuda, I came back to the USA every 3 weeks and literally did my grocery shopping here. I would go back with one suitcase and two large moving boxes, either the 3.0 or 4.5 cubic foot size. The heavy-duty type made the trip better. I would often have a cooler with ice packs and refrigerated food. I never thought twice about checking a cardboard box. I also did that when moving to and moving back from Bermuda. I'm not sure just why (status, flying F) but I was able to check 3 items, so when I moved back I did it in two trips, with 3 4.5 cubic foot boxes each trip, plus a carry-on. I never really thought of reusable items, but I wouldn't have wanted to anyway, because I wouldn't have wanted to fly with them in both directions.

Zacnlinc

When I was traveling to Anchorage for a spell (2x/mo for 6 months), I always noticed at baggage claim on both ends of my trips, large Rubbermade totes that were wrapped entirely with duck tape coming out to be claimed. Maybe it's allowed on certain trips when they know people are shuttling goods to/from destinations.

Antarius

AA allows boxes to most destinations. I frequently check cardboard boxes in for stuff headed one way.

They just limit boxes to some destinations.