The US Virgin Islands Best Guide

Don't get grounded by new carry-on size limits

Notifications
Clear all

Don't get grounded by new carry-on size limits

Please Register / Login to take part in discussions about the Virgin Islands.


 John
(@john)
Posts: 88
Estimable Member
Topic starter
 

Full Article: http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/hobica/2014/06/10/carry-on-luggage-bag-size-limits/10246511/ ]

Quote from Article: "To make a long story short, it was rejected as "too big." What I didn't realize, because it's never been an issue before, is that American (as well as Delta and United) has updated their carry-on bag policies, including a 14-inch maximum width, and my Rimowa is 15 inches wide, as are many carry-ons. Even though it's an inch shorter than the 22-inch length limit, and an inch below the official 9-inch depth limit, back to check-in, I went. And the line was so long, I almost missed my flight. I was then told that this is a new "FAA regulation," a questionable claim given that not all airlines have the same allowances."

 
Posted : June 13, 2014 4:17 pm
(@seabreeze19)
Posts: 166
Estimable Member
 

My American Tourister carry-on, which I have been using for years with no problems, is 15 inches wide. It looks like I have to buy a new one, which I'm not happy about.

 
Posted : June 14, 2014 11:02 am
(@chris-at-work)
Posts: 1138
Noble Member
 

The airlines made millions on baggage fees alone last year. If they re-size the limits making more items eligible for fees they are feeding the cash machine. Pretty standard business practice anymore...
I believe they took the page from pharmaceutical industry. Rather than spend a fortune trying to find a cure for an existing disease let's create a disease/symptom where the existing drug can be used.
More profitable.

 
Posted : June 14, 2014 3:45 pm
(@seabreeze19)
Posts: 166
Estimable Member
 

American, Delta, United downsize acceptable limits for carry-on bag

American, Delta and United airlines recently altered carry-on sizes to a maximum of 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high.

Revised its carry-on policies to include a maximum width of 14 inches instead of 15 inches.

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-trb-carry-on-luggage-size-20140611-story.html

 
Posted : June 14, 2014 5:07 pm
(@seabreeze19)
Posts: 166
Estimable Member
 

The three airlines discussed are the major airlines that service the US Virgin Islands. Be careful with the size of your carry-ons, so you don't end up having to check it with a fee to pay.

We as passengers are getting nicked and dimed with subpar service and expensive airline tickets.

 
Posted : June 14, 2014 7:38 pm
(@fl-barrier-islander)
Posts: 568
Honorable Member
 

We are flying out of STT on Wednesday. Have measured our carry-on rolling carts. One might just squeeze by (if confronted to argue the point) in that it measures 14 inches on the bottom/wheel end - 15 in on the top/pulling end. The other is 15 in full stop. No room to negotiate. Question to John: AA gate attendent didn't offer to check the bag at the gate? I suspect it's because STT doesn't have ability to process CC transactions at the gate but just want to confirm why you were forced to go all the way outside to the ticket counter line, through US immigration/customs line again.

 
Posted : June 16, 2014 8:30 am
(@fl-barrier-islander)
Posts: 568
Honorable Member
 

Further, just reviewed the FAA site http://www.faa.gov/passengers/prepare_fly/baggage/

"•The maximum size carry-on bag for most airlines is 45 linear inches (the total of the height, width, and depth of the bag). Anything larger should be checked."

On AA.com https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/baggageAllowance.jsp

"The size limitation of your luggage is calculated by adding the total outside dimensions of each bag, length + width + height.

Carry-on roller board bags, duffle bags, large backpacks, or other personal items that don't fit in the overhead bins or under the seat must be checked at the gate and placed in the cargo compartment on American Eagle planes."

AND

"45 in/115 cm (carry-on) No larger than 22 in/56 cm long, 14 in/36 cm wide, and 9 in/23 cm high"

So.....AA is correct that on the FAA web site, FAA says 45 linear inches but the FAA statement implies this is not an FAA "rule" rather a rule imposed by the airline. .....just to confirm that seems to me it isn't the govt making these sizing rules for carry on luggage. I assume size of the plane (and the overhead compartments) dictates the max size of what goes up there. But.....when did this rule change? I've just purchased a new carry-on (now exceeding the width restriction) less than 3 months ago. Guess it might make a nice dog bed.....if I had a dog.

 
Posted : June 16, 2014 8:49 am
 John
(@john)
Posts: 88
Estimable Member
Topic starter
 

Oh I should have been more specific, that quote was from the article that if you hover over and click the quote you will be lead to...

 
Posted : June 16, 2014 10:24 am
(@seabreeze19)
Posts: 166
Estimable Member
 

FL Barrier Islander wrote:
But.....when did this rule change?  I've just purchased a new carry-on (now exceeding the width restriction) less than 3 months ago.  Guess it might make a nice dog bed.....if I had a dog.

Looks like the rule change went into effect March 1, 2014 for United Airlines that also owns American Airlines or visa-versa.

http://thepointsguy.com/2014/03/uniteds-strict-new-carry-on-baggage-rules-go-into-effect/

FL Barrier Islander wrote:
We are flying out of STT on Wednesday. Have measured our carry-on rolling carts. One might just squeeze by (if confronted to argue the point) in that it measures 14 inches on the bottom/wheel end - 15 in on the top/pulling end. The other is 15 in full stop. No room to negotiate. 

What are you going to do??? Please keep us posted after your return trip. It will be appreciated. 

I can get a better buy and better quality luggage in the states than on Stt. If I can make it to the states just this one and last time with my current carry-on, that measures 14 inches wide at the wheel base, but 15 inches in the middle width, I will be happy. 

I wonder how strict they are here on Stt with the measurements and using the sizer. Do they even have sizers here at the Stt airport? Or are we all going to be using measuring tapes?  

 
Posted : June 16, 2014 3:17 pm
(@fl-barrier-islander)
Posts: 568
Honorable Member
 

Went throught the airport regime smoothly. No one even looked twice or asked any question about our carry-on. They did mention on the overhead speaker the dimensions of carry-on (including 14 inch width) but no one enaged us to check (and I didn't see anyone else being stopped or asked about it either. There was also no "drop it in this and see if it fits" structure anywhere either at the ticket counter or the gate. And, I didn't see anyone with a tape measure.

 
Posted : June 19, 2014 7:30 am
(@seabreeze19)
Posts: 166
Estimable Member
 

FL Barrier Islander wrote:
Went throught the airport regime smoothly. No one even looked twice or asked any question about our carry-on. They did mention on the overhead speaker the dimensions of carry-on (including 14 inch width) but no one enaged us to check (and I didn't see anyone else being stopped or asked about it either. There was also no "drop it in this and see if it fits" structure anywhere either at the ticket counter or the gate. And, I didn't see anyone with a tape measure.

Thank you very much for your report. Good to know information included.
Did you have a non-stop flight back to the states or did you change planes? Just wondering because if one would change planes if they would run into any problems with their carry-on and sizing on the connecting flights.

 
Posted : June 19, 2014 12:54 pm
(@fl-barrier-islander)
Posts: 568
Honorable Member
 

Bound for Tampa - connection via Miami. No one blinked. Not a peep. Nada. Smooth sailing....except for the "mechanical problem" which delayed our flight by one hour. Seems the plane originated in Phildelphia and in transit, the window next to the pilot's left shoulder came loose and had to be re-glued in place. Just another travel day.

 
Posted : June 20, 2014 8:21 am
(@seabreeze19)
Posts: 166
Estimable Member
 

FL Barrier Islander wrote:
Bound for Tampa - connection via Miami. No one blinked. Not a peep. Nada. Smooth sailing....except for the "mechanical problem" which delayed our flight by one hour. Seems the plane originated in Phildelphia and in transit, the window next to the pilot's left shoulder came loose and had to be re-glued in place. Just another travel day.

Sorry about your delayed flight.
Thanks so much for keeping us informed.
I'm happy you had no other problems.

 
Posted : June 20, 2014 10:23 am
(@seabreeze19)
Posts: 166
Estimable Member
 

I had no problems with my carry-on luggage either on my flight this week, but I'm still buying new luggage.
Same experience as Fl Barrier Island, which he explains in his posts above.
I had a delayed connecting flight also and a custom's officer ask me some strange questions that were never asked of me all these years living on St. Thomas. Plus the customs line was out to the curb, starting to snake down the sidewalk.
I made my flight with just under thirty minutes to board.

 
Posted : July 18, 2014 9:51 am

St. Thomas Activities

Set sail on top-rated charters, explore underwater wonders with scuba diving, encounter exotic animals, and venture into the wild with kayaking and ecotours. Feel the adrenaline with parasailing, aerial tours, and water sports for a memorable vacation.
Book Your St. Thomas Adventure Now
Virgin Islands Books & Maps