<p>Momlive, I’m so glad that you were able to take advantage of the sale! I had to pick up something fast, because S2 leaves tomorrow. The rolling duffel I’d planned to use turned out to be too small when I got everything in (barely). We went to Macy’s tonight and found a great 28" rolling duffel by High Sierra in a nice green, less than 8 lbs. It was 50% off, and the salesman gave me a 25% off coupon, so I ended up spending under $100.</p>
<p>NYMomof2,
Be sure to weigh your S2’s packed suitcase so he won’t have an expensive overweight charge surprise at the airport. Some of their scales may read a few pounds different from your home scale as well. S was charged a $100 overweight fee by United & they WOULD NOT let him repack, tho he could easily have redistributed & put more on his carry one or elsewhere. 
He has been much more careful ever since–they do take advantage of our kids.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip, HImom - he is taking only clothes, so I’m sure there won’t be a problem. But I will check on our bathroom scale…</p>
<p>Hi thumper, sorry, I seem to have commented without reading the last page of posts. I’m so glad your D sorted out her luggage and is launched. You must be so proud of her - what an adventure! I have a D living abroad too and my H travels internationally every month so we’re always juggling bags - packing is one of my rare areas of expertise. </p>
<p>Himom, I think that is outrageous that the airline wouldn’t let your son repack his overweight bag. If I were you, I’d write the airline and demand a refund. Last time I checked my D in to fly back to Asia, the young girl at the next check-in station was being encouraged to buy a second bag at the airport shop so she could redistribute her belongings and avoid the overweight charge. She kept saying she didn’t want another suitcase and they charged her $150. I felt bad for her knowing she would be charged repeatedly during her study abroad trip. </p>
<p>I must brag that my clever world traveling D had a 50 lb. limit on her bag and that morning it weighed in at 50 lbs. on the dot. She often uses her Balanzza hand-held scale but has apparently learned to hand weigh without the scale.</p>
<p>I have let S handle the matter and it has stood him in good stead. He is now a very careful and LIGHT packer and has never had any issues since. I doubt he would now know what to do with even 40 pounds of stuff and generally is fine with about 25 pounds or so. He always hand carries everything and has NEVER been charged a penny for luggage since. S had only clothing too!</p>
<p>S even had a hand carry he could have redistributed things with & the charge was A LOT more than the ticket! It was a very valuable lesson for him, much more than my talking to him.</p>
<p>I have purchased an electronic scale. It is quite accurate but mostly important when we fly outer island & are limited to 20 pounds or less, which is tough for me to gauge.</p>
<p>One other thing–we have sometimes had our wheeled cases NOT fit in some overhead bins, which is pretty upsetting & requires some shuffling & repacking ON the plane (especially after gifts are purchased).</p>