carry on only
Mar 6, 2015, 11:14 pm
#91
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: California
Programs: AS,WN,UA,B6,hotels
Posts: 4,239
I'd say about 90% of trips I do, but I actually like checking bags every now and again. Especially when I'm flying back from a long trip. When I have a bag full of just dirty clothes I pray they lose my bag for a while. I'll take some compensation for something I won't miss for a few days.
Mar 7, 2015, 1:34 pm
#92
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,607
carry-on crowd struggling with their items and looking anything but smug.
Perhaps they have not discovered that going carry-on only also involves
a minimalist packing approach.
Quote often I check my rollaboard on the return trip as a result and sometimes end up having to purchase a new bag for the return too.
Recently I had a big hassle because I knew already the night before my return trip that my flight h was affected by a major delay and I was going to try to get rebooked on a different connection. So I really didn't want to have checked bags despite having acquired quite a few extra items. I did end up having to carry and wear my jacket and sweater which I try to avoid.
Mar 7, 2015, 1:43 pm
#93
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Central New Jersey
Programs: UA-Platimum 2 MM, HH-Gold, MR-Lifetime Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 6,238
Carry on only for me. My last checked bag was back in the '70's when I got out of college. I'm not concerned about the lost luggage thing, it has more to do with getting off a plane and into the city where I'm headed without having to wait for the baggage to be unloaded. For years I was flying weekly both cross country and internationally and learned to pack efficiently. As a woman that meant color coordinating and multi use items.
Mar 7, 2015, 2:48 pm
#94
Used to be 'Travelergcp'
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,826
TLDR- it does save time to carry on. not just waiting for bags at the destination, but being able to arrive substantially later at the departure airport since you're not trying to hit the minimum checkin time for checked baggage. If you fly a lot that time adds up.
Disregard if you're the kind of traveler that arrives an hour early no matter what.
Disregard if you're the kind of traveler that arrives an hour early no matter what.
Mar 8, 2015, 6:54 pm
#95
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 251
When you fly Spirit and Frontier mainly and are a cheapskate, you learn very quickly how to maximize "personal item" packing to avoid bag fees. Not risking losing a checked bag is an additional benefit of this.
My last trip to Las Vegas, I had my Scottevest jacket so full of old socks and ratty underwear, I looked like the Michelin Man. I did look normal on the trip home, however, as I used then pitched the aforementioned articles of clothing.
I imagine any overly curious housekeepers were very surprised when emptying the hotel room trash receptacles...
My last trip to Las Vegas, I had my Scottevest jacket so full of old socks and ratty underwear, I looked like the Michelin Man. I did look normal on the trip home, however, as I used then pitched the aforementioned articles of clothing.
I imagine any overly curious housekeepers were very surprised when emptying the hotel room trash receptacles...
Mar 9, 2015, 8:13 am
#96
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BIL
Programs: Delta FO
Posts: 786
Cool thread to read through. I've been carry-on only with my travels. I bring a backpack and a 20" Costco 4 wheeler on-board. Its worked great for trips up to 12 days or so, as I pack very lightweight thin pants and shirts, and do laundry in the hotel sink every 5 days or so, depending on the local climate's humidity (makes a HUGE difference when air drying). I can easily pack 7 shirts, 7 pants and 5 pairs of shorts in my roller, along with a pair of nice shoes or my sneakers and all the socks and underwear I need. I use a lightweight puffer down jacket from REI which I normally wear on board or stuff into my backpack. My backpack is crammed with all my electronics.
I'm heading out for a 7 week RTW trip this weekend and will be utilizing this strategy. I'm hoping it turns out OK
I'm heading out for a 7 week RTW trip this weekend and will be utilizing this strategy. I'm hoping it turns out OK
Mar 9, 2015, 9:09 pm
#97
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: AA LT PLT (3.6+ MM), UA 1K LT Gold, Hilton LT Diamond, Bonvoy Gold.
Posts: 1,663
Only carry-on. I can do a 2 week combo business and pleasure trip and still fit all my clothes etc in my 20" rollaboard. I did have to check after 9/11. Apart from all the reasons already stated for not checking (short connect, theft, convenience etc.) my main reason is it gives me the flexibility to change flights, such as take an earlier one in the case of an early arrival of a connecting flight. That's not normally possible with checked bags. I probably do this at least once per month....
Mar 9, 2015, 10:07 pm
#98
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,684
How many of you guys are using the carry on luggage ONLY philosophy advocated by Rick Steves and other world travelers? I see many seasoned travelers swearing off checking in luggage. While I see the benefits i've never actually traveled with carry on only on trips of a week or longer...few days is fine but anything more than that I carry a larger pack that needs to be checked in.
For my next 12 day trip to Europe i'm thinking of going carry on only. Infact I am thinking of making a permanent switch to carry on only for most trip unless I absolutely have to cart something big like my scuba gear on a dedicated scuba trip.
For my next 12 day trip to Europe i'm thinking of going carry on only. Infact I am thinking of making a permanent switch to carry on only for most trip unless I absolutely have to cart something big like my scuba gear on a dedicated scuba trip.
Mar 9, 2015, 10:33 pm
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
Cool thread to read through. I've been carry-on only with my travels. I bring a backpack and a 20" Costco 4 wheeler on-board. Its worked great for trips up to 12 days or so, as I pack very lightweight thin pants and shirts, and do laundry in the hotel sink every 5 days or so, depending on the local climate's humidity (makes a HUGE difference when air drying). I can easily pack 7 shirts, 7 pants and 5 pairs of shorts in my roller, along with a pair of nice shoes or my sneakers and all the socks and underwear I need. I use a lightweight puffer down jacket from REI which I normally wear on board or stuff into my backpack. My backpack is crammed with all my electronics.
I'm heading out for a 7 week RTW trip this weekend and will be utilizing this strategy. I'm hoping it turns out OK
I'm heading out for a 7 week RTW trip this weekend and will be utilizing this strategy. I'm hoping it turns out OK
Mar 10, 2015, 10:14 am
#100
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BIL
Programs: Delta FO
Posts: 786
In retrospect, Aeroflot is the only airline that has ever given me grief about bags in the past. They like to play fast and loose with any of their rules to squeeze a few rubles from you.
Mar 10, 2015, 10:55 am
#101
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
I don't even have to bold the important part of your post. You did it for me already.
The time you save when not checking bags is minor. If you are so cramped for time that 10-15 minutes is going to have an impact on your life, take an earlier flight.
Compare that with the hassle of lugging around a big bag, hoping the GA and FA don't size or weight check it, hoping you can get on the plane first so there is space, not caring how that impacts others who have carry on, lugging it down narrow aisles, trying to take it out of the bin when everyone on the plane stood up at once to leave, dragging it through the airport, then washing your clothes in the sink.
To save 10 minutes?????
I understand in some cases the concern for lost baggage. If you are going on a business trip and there is something critical for the success of that trip, you can't risk it being lost or even delayed. If that is the case and it's small, carry it on. It not, ship it via FedEx or UPS or something if you don't trust the airline.
Flying can be stressful as it is without adding the stress of turning yourself into a pack mule.
The time you save when not checking bags is minor. If you are so cramped for time that 10-15 minutes is going to have an impact on your life, take an earlier flight.
Compare that with the hassle of lugging around a big bag, hoping the GA and FA don't size or weight check it, hoping you can get on the plane first so there is space, not caring how that impacts others who have carry on, lugging it down narrow aisles, trying to take it out of the bin when everyone on the plane stood up at once to leave, dragging it through the airport, then washing your clothes in the sink.
To save 10 minutes?????
I understand in some cases the concern for lost baggage. If you are going on a business trip and there is something critical for the success of that trip, you can't risk it being lost or even delayed. If that is the case and it's small, carry it on. It not, ship it via FedEx or UPS or something if you don't trust the airline.
Flying can be stressful as it is without adding the stress of turning yourself into a pack mule.
Good advice on FedEx or UPS'ing items if it's critical and can't be carried on. I've done that before for work items and also for certain souvenirs that are too big/awkward to carry on but too valuable to trust in the checked bag.
Mar 11, 2015, 2:00 am
#102
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,307
In Business Class you'll probably be fine. In Y it's only a matter of time before you do the "check-in of shame", to the relief of your fellow travellers.
Mar 11, 2015, 2:23 am
#103
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: QF LTG:
Posts: 1,859
Am currently doing a 21 day trip in the UK and have previously spent 28 days in the US with HLO.
The secret is to have quick drying underwear so you can wash it in the evening and it's dry by the morning.
Frankly it is the only way to travel.
The secret is to have quick drying underwear so you can wash it in the evening and it's dry by the morning.
Frankly it is the only way to travel.