<p>Am I your mother? ;)</p>
<p>funny, choco… I was thinking the same thing. I’d assume if Krabble is staying in a dorm, some of these questions should be posed to whoever is arranging his accomodations. Sounds like this is krabble’s first plane trip… or at least the first solo trip.</p>
<p>My son will probably just take a duffle with a change of clothes and sleeping bag. To save space you can take a pillowcase and stuff it with a sweatshirt instead of taking a full size pillow. That’s what my boys do for backpacking. The duffle will fit in the overhead and he’ll probably have his backpack for misc. papers and books. You might want to look over the papers you got from the college about the overnight. My son didn’t think his said anything about bedding but when we looked it over again, it said to bring a sleeping bag and pillow. If you go to your airlines website they will have specific size information about carry-on luggage but a medium size sports duffle is something that we’ve always been allowed. If your suitcase or duffle is too large, they will just check it for you. Not a big deal since you’ll probably be meeting in the baggage claim area anyway. Here is United’s policy for carry-on’s <a href=“http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1032,00.html[/url]”>http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1032,00.html</a></p>
<p>Not to stress you out but as a young man traveling alone, you may well be pulled aside to be searched during security check in. Make sure you don’t have a pocketknife or lighter in any carry-on bags. My daughter has said that her guy friends from college get pulled aside and checked just about every time they fly. Also, not a big deal - my 12 year old got the full treatment last year and it took about 2 minutes. </p>
<p>Hey, krabble, don’t stress, you’re going to have a great time!</p>
<p>just one comment - the photo id has to be a gov’t issued photo id</p>
<p>A few more things–
First of all, according to Krabble’s stats, he won’t be 18 til June 10. As long as you are under 18 you don’t need to show a photo ID. I’d still have it (your drivers license) with you if I were you, but it is not mandatory if you are under 18. For those of you who are over 18, if you ever happen to forget your ID (like when my s. accidentally left his at a sportsbar where they required you to leave your license as collateral when you checked out poolballs, and he didn’t realize it 'til he was going through security at the airport), just say you are 17. No problem (as long as you look young.) </p>
<p>Second, you can take TWO carry-ons on the plane (see kathiep’s link to the airline baggage guidelines) so krabble, you shouln’t need to check any luggage, and I woudn’t bother if I were you. Just one more hassle. Take your backpack (which you store at your feet) and one carry-on (usually will need to be under 21" high-- again see Kathiep’s link) that you can put in the overhead compartment. Unless the plane you are flying is one of those teeny embrauer planes (only holds like 50 people)your carry-on will fit overhead. If for any reason it won’t fit overhead, the flight attendant will check it for you at the gate (where you board the plane) and give you a receipt to pick it up at the Pittsburgh baggage claim.</p>
<p>Lastly, they do like to “select” people for random searches if they booked their ticket at the last minute, so it is “possible” they’ll do a random search. It really is no big deal. Juse be sure you’ve taken your keys, wallet and even packs of chewing gum out of your pocket (the suilver backing/lining can set off the alarm) when you go through security. Put it all in your backpack, rather than in those plastic bins that go through the xray machine. Its too easy to accidentally forget something at the security checkpoint, and if you do get “selected” for a security screen, you dont want your wallet just sitting in one of those plastic things. Also, be sure to keep your boarding pass in your HAND when you go through security. Have you ever flown before, or is this your maiden voyage?</p>
<p>Hey,</p>
<p>I’ve flown before but never by myself. I’m thinking about bringing a suitcase, although it’s about 2 feet high and 1.5 feet wide. I’ll only be bringing some clothes and a sleeping bag (but most likely a blanket). My suitcase is about 51-52 linear inches, and (thanks to kathiep for the helpful link) United only allows carry-on luggage to be 45 linear inches or less. Will I still be able to carry this with me? If I take my suitcase, I will most likely not need a bookbag. Thanks again for the help!</p>
<p>KRabble88, the airlines are very strict now with weight and dimensional restrictions. That suitcase may not fit in the overhead. You can either go to Walmart and pick up a cheapie for $20.00 or check your 52" suitcase in.</p>
<p>choco-
I am beginning to believe he is messing with us…</p>
<p>jym626, who are you talking about?</p>
<p>krabble-
In your last post, you noted that your suitcase was over the United’s allowable size for carry-on, and then asked if they’d let you carry it on. I am beginning to feel that YOU are messing with us. The answer to your question, if it is serious, is NO. They have size limits. Some people try, and do, get away with bags that are oversized, but I wouldn’t count on it.</p>
<p>Oh, okay. I didn’t clarify my question, but what I meant was, it is so close to the accepted limit that I thought they may let me carry it with me on the plane. I’m guessing they won’t actually measure it, rather they will tell me it’s too big and that’s the end of the discussion. Sorry for the ambiguous post.</p>
<p>Well, he is from Pennsylvania, they don’t have much access to the outside world ;)</p>
<p>Oh, we’re not talking about you KRabble.</p>
<p>chocoholic,</p>
<p>I’m am from Pennsylvania, and I don’t know about the rest of the state, but I sure don’t have much access to the outside world haha…</p>
<p>Ahem!! krabble is not the only Pennylvanian here!</p>
<p>Krabble, most arilines now have a steel frame thing that you can put your carry-on in to see if it will be within their size limit. If you do the traditional check in, you would be able to do that before you get up to the ticket counter.</p>
<p>Kathiep is right about those metal gizmos that you can see if your luggage fits into. I believe they are generic-- not made specifically to any one airline’s luggage specs (thought I could be wrong…) Anyway, if you measure your luggage in front of anyone within eyeshot at the ticket counter (they are usually not too far from the counter) and your luggage doesn’t fit, you’ll for sure have to check your luggage. If you don’t care, then use the luggage you described above and just go ahead and check it. If you are a bit of a gambler, and want to takeyour chances, then just either check in at one of the electronic kiosks at the airport (assuming United does that) or on line, as we’ve all suggested, and indicate that you have no luggage to check. That way you bypass the ticket counter and go right to the gate. At the gate, you are at the whim of the folks on duty to see if they’ll let your overside bag in the overhead or not (do NOT bring it to anyone’s attention-- do NOT go up to the gate agent and ask—just get on the plane and try it out). It often depends if you get a nice gate agent or someone who got up on the wrong side of the bed that morning as to whether you’ll have a hassle about your luggage or not. If they do say anything to you, be VERY NICE and act very dumb (you didn’t know… or…you thought it was the right size, etc). They may just let it go, especially if the flight isnt very full.</p>
<p>This should have answered any question you could possibly have. have a nice flight. You will be fine.</p>
<p>Thanks a bunch!</p>
<p>I will certainly have to try to bring my luggage on board (instead of checking it in). My flight is supposed to arrive around 9:20 AM, and I’m supposed to check in at CMU by 10 AM (although this is a very loose time frame because the student with whom I was speaking told me that it really shouldn’t be a problem as long as I eventually meet with my host). Again, thanks a lot!</p>
<p>Do you have transportation arranged to CMU? It’s a long way from the airport. If you have to take a cab, be sure you have enough cash.</p>
<p>I’m taking a bus from PIT airport to CMU (it takes about an hour). I know for sure I won’t make CMU’s campus by 10 AM, but I’ve been reassured that it isn’t a problem.</p>
<p>OK, I’m having a little bit of trouble checking in:</p>
<p>I went to the “check-in” tab on United.com and after logging in and viewing my itinerary, I read this message:</p>
<p>"Status: This flight in your itinerary is being operated by a carrier other than United, Ted or United Express. Please check in with the operating carrier. "</p>
<p>I’m reading my E-ticket (Receipt) and under “Flight” it reads:</p>
<p>United Airlines (Operated by US Airways).</p>
<p>I went to USairways.com and tried to check-in, but they ask for one of the following: Confirmation Code, Dividend Miles Number, or Flight Number. I cannot find any of these on my E-Ticket or the confirmation e-mail they sent me. I’m a little frustrated, but if worst comes to worst, I suppose I’ll just check-in at the airport instead.</p>