<p>We finally got around to measuring one of the two pieces of luggage S will be checking on the plane next Sat. It’s one of those soft-sided duffel bags like service personnel carry through the airport with all their stuff in them: it does not have wheels or an internal frame. Although it will weigh very little (only clothing and soft stuff inside), it appears certain to exceed the 62" L+W+H total dimension allowed by the airline. Their max total dimension is 115", and it will surely be less than that, so it will be allowed, and it will not exceed their weight limit of 50 pounds.</p>
<p>I have never checked a piece of oversized baggage before. Do they allow any wiggle-room on the dimension part, if it’s close? Will they give us any hassle, or just take my credit card for the oversized baggage fee and say thank you? (Well, maybe not say “thank you”… ) Does it take a lot longer to check in with a piece of oversized luggage? Will they put it on the baggage claim chute at the destination with the rest of the regular stuff? (Given that it’s not skis or golf clubs or a surfboard or something notably oversized and odd-shaped and hard-sided like those.) BTW, no need to suggest he buy that stuff at his destination: he already has a box of most of that stuff scheduled to arrive the day after he does, but needs to get his clothing and a set of temporary sheets and towels there the same night he arrives.</p>
<p>I think I’m worrying about something I don’t need to worry about, just so I won’t worry about all the other stuff. (Thanks for your indulgence.)</p>
<p>I have seen it take forever…I have seen it go unnoticed. It will cost you if they notice. I think the weight is more of an issue right now due to the high fuel costs. I’d say if they give you crap just take an additional empty bag and repack what you can…send the rest UPS ground. This will save you money and it will get to your son in a couple of days. Heck for what they sometimes charge you could send it FedEx and still save money.</p>
<p>I think it depends on the airline. S#2 had a VERY overweight duffel bag and Southwest charged $25. I have successfully checked the extra large Lands End Lighthouse duffel packed with bedding without charge. In fact, S#3 will be taking it despite the fact that his sister’s name is embroidered on it.<br>
If you are truly worried about an oversize charge and use the check-in at the curb, tip the skycap a little extra and I bet it goes right through.</p>
<p>I’m a bit worried about this too. What about a third piece of luggage to check? I’d much rather not lug around a medium sized luggage bag at Hartfield for hours and hours (okay, two hours… I hate Delta). </p>
<p>We have those nice handy self-check-in machines, and I think (when I flew Delta before), that you had the option of checking 0-1-2-3 bags. What happens when you pick 3? Your credit card gets charged?</p>
<p>We used ups to ship 4 enormous boxes at $25 each one. So there won’t be an overweight bag the day son leaves which is crucial since he flies two planes (one a small commuter variety) he has a box for last minute things to send the day before he leaves. He gets some extra weight because of his frequent flyer status but…</p>
<p>Don’t know if this link will help anyone. It does give each airline’s policy, but it indicates that there is an element of luck.</p>
<p>I think kinshasha may be right about using curbside check-in and being extra nice ($;) ) to the sky cap.</p>
<p>tlaktan - when do you fly? We are flying Delta also and one of S’ high school parents is a Delta ticket agent. I think I’ll give him a call in the morning to pick his brain/see how strict they are - I sort of weighed the one big duffel we have packed and it’s “around” 50 lbs, which is the limit for overweight. I’m wondering whether they’ll let a slight overage squeak through.</p>
<p>Tip #1: Hockey bags are the least expensive, best constructed duffel bags. Recently flew with the US ski team and got a bit confused as they also know this tip and dozens of huge CCM bags came rolling off the carousel! That never happens down under!</p>
<p>We fly around the world using the largest of the hockey bags–which now come with wheels. Woo hoo! Stuffed to capacity they are over the dimensions.</p>
<p>I recently flew 20,000 miles and checked in two 70+ pound bags on the return with no problem (American) but we have been charged extra for weight overage–and we have had to purchase a third bag on the spot (Continental).</p>
<p>My son’s duffles are enormous and we’ve never been charged extra. He always keeps them under 50 pounds. Sometimes he makes them meet the dimensions with duct tape.</p>
<p>My husband and I have found that you can often skate past such rules by doing curb side check-in and tipping heavily. Have that $10 or $20 bill in your hand and obvious as you hand the bag over. (He has one bag that we have never succeeded in getting under 55 pounds. We’ve also never paid extra for it, by using this method.)</p>
<p>I’m shipping a 100-pound trunk to the UK - $287 door to door, not bad really - it’s up to S to find storage over the summer because I’m NOT doing it every year!</p>
<p>Our friend the Delta ticket agent says:
*expect rigid adherence to weight limit of 50 lbs.
*maybe not be as strict on size limit, but no guarantees
*skycap may take your bag inside to weigh it, if it seems close to limit, so the “skycap endaround” may or may not work (depends on size of $$bill in your hand ;)? )
*do allow a little longer for check-in with the slew of bags you might be taking, esp. if - like us- some of the contents are electronics. They will not be responsible for damage to electronics/stereos/game systems etc. so cushion them well.</p>
<p>And, especially for Andrew, you definitely can check up to 3 bags. They will charge your credit card for the extra. The check-in kiosk may bump you over to agent check-in, though, if you have the extra bag. So allow time for that.</p>
<p>I have a dumb question that may get lost on this thread, but here goes - daughter has to change planes and airlines at Reagan National - she will have to collect her baggage and go back through check-in and security at the second airline - correct? Anyone familiar enough with Reagan to have insight into the difficulty of this, she has a 2 hour layover, so she should have plenty of time, she has E-tickets and is comfortable with kiosk check-in.
Also if Delta loses her bag, wil they deliver it all the way to her in NH, or will it stop in DC and become USAir (I think that’s the other carrier) responsibility? Sure hope Delta hangs on until Sept 14.</p>
<p>Just keep in mind that airlines are trimming weights in funny ways due to high cost of jet fuel and some analysts are predicting chapter filings…I think you better pray for good luck and a disgruntled clerk…I hope you can get by just fine.</p>
<p>It’s the not the weight my S will exceed, it’s the dimensions of the duffel bag with soft stuff in it. I think we’ll try the skycap route this time…</p>
<p>cangel, I have always known domestic airlines to cooperate in baggage handling – they coordinate transfer of baggage to the other airline, it happens all the time. (The agent tags it appropriately at check-in and it just transfers to the other flight at the connecting airport.) Your D should not have to do anything with her checked luggage at National. (Or did something change recentlhy and I was asleep at the switch??)</p>
<p>I’d would do curbside and when I check bags I always use it. Just allow time. I realize you are not overweight but more observant is just that…airlines are facing big troubles right now. Who knows what dictums are handed down from folks whose wages are not at risk. I feel for your friend at Delta.</p>
<p>Thanks, hazmat. Friend is “retiring” at the end of this month, as Delta is scaling back operations here. He’s still a little young for retirement, but will go on furlough for the year-plus he needs til he can collect.</p>
<p>Looking for other jobs - and NOT in the airline industry!</p>
<p>'Nuf said re airlines facing troubles and how that might trickle down to us paying customers.</p>
) Does it take a lot longer to check in with a piece of oversized luggage? Will they put it on the baggage claim chute at the destination with the rest of the regular stuff? (Given that it’s not skis or golf clubs or a surfboard or something notably oversized and odd-shaped and hard-sided like those.) BTW, no need to suggest he buy that stuff at his destination: he already has a box of most of that stuff scheduled to arrive the day after he does, but needs to get his clothing and a set of temporary sheets and towels there the same night he arrives.</p>
(Thanks for your indulgence.)</p>