<p>My recent experience has been that overhead bin-space is first-come, first-serve, and that because of the cost of checking luggage, more people are carrying more, larger bags on. Every flight I’ve been on recently the last passengers had to gate check their luggage because the bins were full.</p>
<p>I would agree, especially if it’s a non-stop flight that the chances of losing your luggage are pretty small.>></p>
<p>My sister had a direct flight from Dallas to DC. Her luggage ended up in South America somehow and it took 2 1/2 days to get it back since there was only one flight a day back to the states. That was the only time she has ever checked luggage and only did so because she was on crutches.</p>
<p>She wore our clothes and shoes. However, that isn’t an option if you don’t know people where you are going.</p>
<p>Cap: Your sister must have very bad airplane karma.</p>
<p>busdriver11-
I guess there is no difference between flying a plane vs driving a bus any more. 
As a passenger I certainly don’t feel any difference any more.</p>
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<p>**No, no, no. ** That entirely depends. On small prop planes, yes, the carry-on luggage that is checked at the gate will be brought out for you when you deplane - either into the jetway, or you go down to the tarmac, retrieve it and walk into the terminal. But on larger planes and / or larger airports, it all just goes with the rest of the checked luggage into the baggage claim area (though it does tend to be first one down, since last checked often = first bags down). </p>
<p>Do carry-on. Without a question. As a frequent traveler, I NEVER check bags unless it’s absolutely unavoidable. And seriously, having him wear it is not a bad idea, as long as he knows how to use an iron at the back end.</p>
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<p>They’ve been sticky like that for years now. And if you are going through Heathrow, you are only allowed one carry-on … so you’d best stick that purse, grocery bag into your small bag!</p>
<p>Another option is if your student doesn’t want to wear the suit and look like a dork on the plane that he could wear khakis, nice shoes and a button down - this way if the luggage does get lost, at least he has presentable clothing (vs jeans / sweatshirt / sneakers, which is certainly how my 17 yo s would dress!).</p>
<p>If you are on a smaller plane (the kind that doesn’t have room in the overhead compartments for ANY bags), then your luggage is usually waiting for you right as you leave the plane. In a bigger plane, if you’re forced to gate check, the luggage USUALLY goes all the way down to the baggage claim. If you really want to carry on your luggage, its probably a good idea to get a seat in the back of the plane so that you board first, and also pay lots of attention to the boarding process and get on the plane ASAP. I have been on planes where 15-20 people have had to gate check their bags because of lack of overhead space.</p>
<p>It’s been very rare when our carry on is ever taken from us due to priority boarding, but anyone who has had their carry on checked at the gate (from what I have seen) always had their bags at the gate when we de-plane. They don’t usually to baggage claim, maybe each airline is different.</p>
<p>I’d advise my son to wear decent pants (i.e. khakis) and a decent shirt (i.e. polo, button down, or perhaps turtleneck depending on kid) and a sport coat (i.e. navy blazer). Suit and more casual clothes go in checked baggage.</p>
<p>We just flew over xmas. Both DS and DH had carry ons, but our row wound up being the last called to get on the plane so there was no room left in the overheads. Their luggage was gate checked, and to my surprise, we had to collect it at baggage claim. Neither piece was presented at the gate upon our exit. This procedure was new to me. I had checked a large bag (the one with all the xmas gifts, lol) and had to pay 20 bucks each way. There was no charge for the gate checked pieces, but we did have to get them at baggage claim. Mine came out first! Theirs arrived shortly afterwards. Lately it seems, with most folks using the carry on option, the baggage claim area is fast and uncrowded. </p>
<p>I like the wear khakis and a jacket idea and pack the suit. Worst case, wear the plane outfit. </p>
<p>Also note - the security check is taking a bit longer now, so add a bit of extra time at the airport.</p>
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<p>That’s good to hear. I have two musicians here who will NOT check their instruments. They would get off of the plane first. Both have hard instrument cases that more than comply with the carryon size requirements. DS’s is a VERY expensive case as it holds three instruments and is a custom made bag. DDs holds two instruments…also pricey. I know that musicians have huge issues when traveling and checking instruments is not something most want to consider.</p>
<p>DD MUST check baggage when she travels for musical things. She is an oboe/English horn player who makes her own reeds. The “tools” to do this can NOT be carried onto a plane thus requiring checked bags. We have NO PROBLEM with this restriction…but checking the instruments…NOPE…not going to happen.</p>
<p>The whole carry-on luggage thing has gotten out of hand since some airlines started charging for checked luggage last spring. People now carry on all kinds of luggage and usually the bins are full by the time the plan is half loaded. It’s become quite a nuisance. I think they need to start charging for more than 1-2 small pieces of carry-on luggage in order to put a stop to this.</p>
<p>I’ve never had to pick up luggage in baggage that was checked at the gate but with the amount of carry-on luggage people are trying to bring on, I’m not surprised.</p>
<p>The one thing we’ve noticed is everything varies from airline to airline and even flights with the same airline seem to have different policies. AND different airports in different countries have vastly different policies. It makes you realize that security around the world is not consistent.</p>
<p>As an aside, my H has a medical condition that requires him to travel with filled syringes. He almost always carried them on the plane. Only once, since 9/11, has he ever been questioned by security. That was in Australia in 2003.</p>
<p>Should be no problem to bring the suit as a carry on in a garment bag. Keeps it from getting wrinkled and then he knows he has it with him. He should use one of those garment bags that can fold in half however, and preferably one that has a shoulder strap. THat way it travels like a shoulder bag, but maintains the look of the suit. In almost any luggage store you can find a wide variety of these kinds of garment bags, or even better ones that fold into a small rolling suitcase shape, as business travellers often need them and don’t want to check luggage. Extra bonus would be to look for the ones that have zippered pockets on the outside for small personal items, or pockets on the inside for carrying shoes. </p>
<p>The main thing to remember is that he will not be allowed to bring liquids, gels, or aerosols in his carry on luggage unless they are in containers that are smaller than 3 oz and all of the containers are in a large, clear ziploc bag. This is the most frequent trip-up for people that don’t travel by plane often. Remember that this includes deodorant, shaving cream, toothpaste, and hair gel. When in doubt, check it!</p>
<p>I’ve been on several flights recently where the overhead bins filled before the front 15 rows were even on board. So beware, if you prefer to be LAST ON, FIRST OFF - you may wind up having to check your carryon as all the bins may be filled. I have since switched to FIRST ON, LAST OFF - but I have my carryon bag onboard.</p>
<p>“Last on” is for amateurs. Experienced travelers know that the best way is to get on your plane as soon as you are able to.</p>
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<p>To check bags over this is silly - go to any Walgreen’s and you can get travel sizes for any of these toiletries. Simply put them in a plastic ziploc bag. Done. To check luggage over THAT isn’t worth it. Save checking luggage for when you absolutely have no choice in the matter.</p>
<p>Are you sure he needs a suit? If it’s a scholarship weekend, they will want to see him in action and see how he relates to the university. A suit may be overkill! Nice pants, button up shirt for the interview, nice jeans and t-shirts or polo shirt for the rest of the weekend…???</p>
<p>Re: the toiletries…most cities have stores. You can buy most anything IN a store (toothpaste, etc). If you’re staying in a hotel, they will provide your shampoo, soap etc.</p>
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<p>Unless you are seated in a called section or have an elite status, you can only board when they tell you. I’ve seen many people turned away when they hand the agent their boarding ticket and the agent says, “Sorry, we haven’t started boarding your section yet.”</p>
<p>On smaller planes they don’t need to board in sections, so that’s when it pays to make a dash for it. OTOH, on smaller planes, there is a lot less room for carry-on so you are more likely to have to check at the gate.</p>
<p>Interestingly, they don’t always board from back to front, seems like they skip around sections of the plane. I haven’t figured that one out yet because people still end up blocking the aisles.</p>
<p>If we have a short connection time, I always book the front of the plane because it can take a while to get off the plane if you are sitting in the back and if your flight is delayed or you are having to traverse across a large airport, you need every minute you can get. There have been many times when we have had to literally run across an airport to make a connection. and several times when we have missed it (although, one time was in Paris and we were forced to spend the night - that wasn’t so bad )They have gotten very strict about not holding a flight for connecting passengers. Otherwise, I will sit in the back.</p>