Will I need to check-in my baggage?

Parent Cafe
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<p>I have one sleeping bag, a piece of luggage ([Balmoral</a> Large luggage holdall - Luggage - BagsDirect UK](<a href=“http://www.bagsdirect.com/Product/7662_Large_luggage_holdall.aspx]Balmoral”>http://www.bagsdirect.com/Product/7662_Large_luggage_holdall.aspx)) and a tote purse.</p>

<p>I know that on Continental, we can have one piece of luggage, one personal item, and that’s all. I’m just wondering if I can get away with having something else too. I’m imagining the answer is no, but I figured I should ask to see if anyone has any experience with this. Thanks.</p>

<p>BTW, my plane leaves in about 6 hours, so any info before then would be very much appreciated ;)</p>

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<p>I’m packing our bags to go to East as we speak. Airlines usually allow one carryon item plus a purse/laptop bag (not sure if Continental’s rule is different). Last week, we flew to CA. D had three items with her: a sleeping bag, a large tote with clothes and a tiny purse. For the purposes of boarding, the purse went into the tote, and voila - she had the two allowed pieces. If you are only allowed one carryon, can you “merge” two of the items you are planning to take on board temporarily?</p>

<p>There you go:</p>

<p>[Continental</a> Airlines - Carry-on Baggage](<a href=“http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/carry-on.aspx]Continental”>http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/carry-on.aspx)</p>

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<p>Good idea. I never thought of that. I’m sure I could do that, too. Thanks!</p>

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<p>I agree - Stick the tote purse into one of them as you are getting on the plane. They may “gate check” the larger of your two things, meaning take it from you just as you get ON the plane and then give it to you when you get off, so put the purse in the smaller one if it fits.</p>

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<p>You didn’t say where you’re flying. We were suprised on our trip back from the UK last summer when the UK security people told us we could only have one carryon bag even though the airlines stated two were okay and we could bring two onboard from the USA to the UK. They were unyielding on the point so we had to check the extra bag each. This caused us to have to wait for the bags so we could clear customs in Atlanta before returning to San Diego. This was about the slowwwest baggage claim I’ve seen in a very long time. Once we claimed it and went through customs they forced us to check them again between Atlanta and San Diego even though we should have been allowed to carry them on. They claimed we had to because it was checked through to SD (which we had to do in the UK) even though I was holding the bag in my hand. I asked the guy “what if I just take off the tag and carry it away?” and he said the airline would charge me extra money when they discovered the bag didn’t pop out in SD. I don’t know about that but I do know that checking bags is a mess and what one needs to do seems to vary with the airline, the airport, and the country, and maybe even who you happen to talk to.</p>

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<p>Hands,</p>

<p>Is this the same trip you posted about a while ago? If so, as I recall, you had a tight connection coming home.</p>

<p>If you find that you need to “gate check” a piece of luggage (the ticket agent takes the luggage and puts a tag on it and stows it when you board)on the way out, consider actually checking the bag on the way back home so you will not need to wait for your bag between your flights in Chicago.</p>

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<p>Yes - Most UK airports you can have one carry on - I think the rules are set by their aviation authority and vary by airport which is confusing - I stuff my purse into my carry on then Put the carry on up in the overheads and keep the purse out. I know they changed it earlier this year )or late last) and allowed some airports to allow carry on plus purse but it was not all airports.</p>

<p>OP - the bag looks bigger than allowed for carry on. I would think you would have to check it. 67cm is @ 30" - too big for carry on I think.</p>

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<p>I often carryon the outbound flight and then check the bag on the way home. If the luggage is delayed it isn’t such a big deal since I am already home.</p>

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<p>This was the case up until a few months ago (and they were super strict about enforcement too) but they have now relaxed the rules at most UK airports. I recently traveled through London Heathrow and they now have the same system as US airports (one carryon plus one personal item).</p>

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<p>Thanks everyone! It’s actually a domestic US flight, and the luggage I showed was just an example of the type it was. Mine is actually smaller.</p>

<p>I put my tote bag in my larger bag and I think that will work out really well.</p>

<p>Thanks again, everyone. I’m really shocked each time I come to the parents’ forum with the kindness I am received with. Thanks</p>

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<p>But of course! You got back what you gave out. Hands, look how nicely you entered the forum, even though rushed:</p>

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<p>I hope your travel went just as smoothly ;)</p>

<p>p.s. sometimes parents eat the ones who come on snarly…</p>

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<p>The allowables for checked baggage are changing in May, as airlines imposed fees for more than one checked bag. I think the rules will vary with airline, and the effective dates may vary, too. I don’t think this change will effect gate checks, because those are actually carry-ons. Check with your airline before flying on a ticket that overlaps the fir week of May.</p>