<p>United has really cracked down. Personally as a frequent flyer, I’m just fine and dandy with this, and I’m glad they have. They can be particularly strict with international, since they may be code-sharing with different airlines whose metal may not be as accommodating. I think the last time I flew on a United code-share with Lufthansa, Lufthansa at ORD made me check a bag I could have rolled on if it had been United metal.</p>
<p>A really good source for flyer info is Flyertalk, though be forewarned, they make CC look warm and cuddly :-)</p>
<p>Don’t know what your route is, but be forewarned that if you route through LHR, you only get one carry-on – and it INCLUDES a purse / backpack, so you have to jam your purse into your rollaboard. It’s stupid, but whatever.</p>
<p>Also, some other airlines (foreign) have restrictions on the weight of your personal bag (meaning your backpack / purse / briefcase). But you can get around it as long as you aren’t visibly struggling with the weight of what you have.</p>
<p>Airlines in the US are not as strict as international companies. Unfortunately, as stated above, some agents can be a challenge. A lot will be determined by the size of your plane. If it is a regional jet you may be asked to check it and should be given the bag back when you land in Chicago on the jetbridge.
The international leg will be a different situation all together. Thai Airways has a 7kg (15lb) weight restriction. They will most likely be strict about it. I recently bought a specific carryon bag designed for such occasions.
As far as the seat selection goes, you can call but don’t be surprised if the seat is assigned at the gate.
Know what seat number you want ahead a time and be as pleasant as you can. Seatguru.com is your friend to find out which seats to avoid.
Good luck and safe travels!</p>
<p>We carried our (too heavy) carry on bags on the first leg of our international flight. When we got to leg two, the bags were weighed, and checked.</p>
<p>Our S is a United platinum and rarely has ever been forced to gate check anything and routinely gets upgraded to 1st or at least business class. He has a Briggs & Riley roller board plus a briefcase. </p>
<p>We are rarely ever required to gate check (only on the rare short flights in tiny planes, and preboard because of medical issues. They don’t include Rx and med equipment as luggage. I’m pretty happy with United. </p>
<p>I agree that if you’re a muckety-muck, you can get away with more (I am United platinum). But I was assuming the OP wasn’t a muckety-muck on the airline.</p>
<p>That’s the problem with United out of Chicago—a lot of airline muckety-mucks and “road warriors” with program perks because we fly so often. It puts less frequent flyers in the back of a long line. That’s one of the of the reasons we got D a MileagePlus Explorer card, since wherever she goes to school next year, chances are she’ll be flying United more often than not. </p>
<p>I think we need to remember that the OP is posting about an international flight. As Pizzagirl noted upstream, the airlines are more stringent with weight and size requirements on international flights. </p>
<p>OP here, and not a muckety muck of any sort! I do have the United card, so get early boarding and one piece of luggage, though certainly not the miles to get into bigger leg room territory. I did look at seats today, and was able to snag an exit row on one flight. </p>
<p>My gate check experience was flying Denver into my small city on a commuter flight. For this flight, out of Chicago, big plane to Tokyo, so hopefully no gate check issues. Interesting that United is doing so much gate checking. </p>
<p>According to The Points Guy, these new United rules started in March, and I haven’t flow since then. Talked to S, who said he has noted folks being turned away from security if their carry ons are too big, regardless of airline. </p>
<p>Funny about international flights being more strict. Back in the day, in Asia, there were all sorts of rules being bent regarding carry on items. </p>
<p>My rolling backpack just makes the 9 inch width, IF I can keep all items out of the front pocket. Will restrain myself, as I really am not inclined to go shopping for a new rolling item with 2 days to spare. </p>
<p>Regarding LHR, we flew in and connected to another city on BA in September. I was allowed my carryon bag plus my personal item, aka purse. It’s been several years since the limit was one bag per person, at least on normal BA flights.
UA started publicizing the enforcement of their carryon bag sizes last winter, IIRC. We made careful measures prior to flying to Paris in December didn’t have any problems. Once upon a time, close enough was good enough. Not anymore. Now, if they were consistent in enforcement, I’d have no problem - it’s the eyeballing size or letting some folks take on bigger/more cases that don’t go overhead properly that bugs me to no end. </p>
<p>Update: Returned from the trip to Asia a few weeks ago, and had no problems whatsoever with luggage or hassle over carryons, either in Chicago on departure or on any of my 7 flights. I was just at or slightly above the weight limit on some flights. In check in areas, I noted a few carry size checkers, but saw no one using or being asked to use one. The smaller Asian airlines that I flew on had a rather interesting 20 kg weight restriction, but you could check this weight in two divided bags. There was less removal of shoes and lap tops checking in on these airlines as well. </p>
<p>For some internal Thai flights, it was lovely to book a few days ahead of time, for less than $50 one way, and decide after time at the destination when to fly home ( Bangkok being home) I suppose this is available in Europe with Ryan air, but I had never experienced that travel flexibility before. Maybe someday here? </p>
<p>They are getting mch stricter especially on international flights.
Possibly because some try and get around the weight restrictions by wearing their heavy jackets etc., and they haven’t yet started weighing passengers as they board.
I expect that is coming.</p>
<p>United domestic is still allowing people to carry on whatever they can schlep without using sizers, at least for the larger planes. They do gate check rollerboards on the small planes because the bins are tiny. Folks were hauling huge bags on my recent flights. </p>
<p>I am careful to pack necessities and valuables (meds, jewelry, electronics) in my smaller, personal item carry on as flights are so packed these days that overhead bin space can be exceeded. I have yet to be required to part with my internationally sized roller, but have seen others in a frenzy to remove essentials on board when checking is required at the last minute. I also frequently upgrade to allow early boarding, which helps most of the time, though nearby overhead space is not guaranteed. There isn’t uniformity in how thoroughly carry ons are measured, so I tend to be conservative about it. </p>
<p>You take your chances. Many times, larger bags, whether they meet standard size or not get stopped as you approach the aircraft door with someone right there to divert the bag down under. Not quite “checked” in that you get the bag as soon as you get off the plane without playing the roulette wheel at baggage claim, but you can’t bring it on the plane. This happens with planes that have tiny overhead bins and when you are boarding after the first group or two, and the space is very limited. </p>
<p>I would not be surprised if the standards have shrunk either. I use the same carry on wheeled bag that I have for more than 30 years and it’s been in the last 5 or so years that I’ve been having trouble fitting the thing in over head bins, been asking to get taken down under at the door, and no way would it fit under the seats. </p>
<p>Santa was purchasing a rolling carry on for goskid and the salesperson told me that, of the two I was trying to decide between, the one with the spinners (and almost an inch taller) would not be United acceptable. We and goskid both live in United hub cities…</p>
<p>Be careful when buying the spinner bags–many are taller than stated on the tags–the bag part may be 22" (which is the limit for carry-on) but with the wheels the actual height is 24" (which will not fit). Only a tape measure tells the story–I take one with me when luggage shopping.
I also have a Scott’s travel jacket–tons of pockets to hold all sorts of personal items (can get heavy) but comes in great when weight restrictions show up or they get sticky about personal items.</p>
<p>gouf, you are right. I asked for a tape measure in the store…and that’s when salesperson told me which ones were and weren’t going to fit United’s guidelines. The luggage companies really should give the exterior as well as interior measurements on the tags. There was not a single spinner carry on that met the criteria…</p>
<p>Unfortunately you have to go to a 20" bag-space for a spinner (overall 22") or settle for a 22" two wheel type (but what a difference the 2 inches makes in packing!). My best advice is decide on one pair of shoes only. Wear them. Boots look great with capris. And then layer all the rest of your clothes and wear those too onto the plane. You won’t be the only one trending this new airport look.
Be careful of some of the new wider bags too as you shop–think Samsonite makes some. They are short to go in the overhead but a bit wider. The overhead bins (and yes, they have gotten smaller) are made to take 3 standard size carry-ons. Some airlines wont allow the wider bags because you can’t get 3 bags into the bin.
If you know the type plane you’re flying you can actually look up the bin sizes and know if you have an older “roomier” bin plane or the crap little ones they now think should suffice. Next topic is “legless” room…</p>