Carry on question
 

I am flying Sat. on SW. I usually only bring a carry on, but since rules have changed my question is can I check in a basic "carry-on" piece of luggage?? Is there a requirement on size limiting me? What a pain! Thanks.

The rule changes since 8/10 are:

- No liquid in carryon
- No gel in carryon

That's it.

If you ask whether you can check a small piece of luggage, then yes. If it's very soft and small, make sure they put in a plastic tray.

Go to the SW website, click on Policies and then read the baggage/carryon rules & regulations regarding size/weight, etc. I assume you are one of the people why normally carried on a 22" wheelie or some such type luggage. You can check that with no problem.

I had my luggage delayed twice in row by AA after 8/10. Therefore, I started bringing on my roller board again - as I always did prior to 8/10. I've had no problems at all and there is tons of room in the overhead. It's about 50/50 whether security looks in my suitcase. In addition, I've stopped packing my shaving kit. Instead, I triple ziploc bag a razor, tooth brush, dental floss, extra contact lenses, storage case with lense solution, glasses and hair wax (which is new for me, but it's considered a solid and gets through security). I've stayed at 6 different hotels since 8/10 and they've provided me with shaving cream, tooth paste and mouth wash.

Miz,

What airport do you fly out of that no one has noticed? We are flying out PHL tomorrow a.m. I would hate to chance it and then end up having to leave the items. Lori, yes I was speaking about a luggage carry-on type with the wheels. I looked at SW but I can't find anything about there policies. I wonder how PHL is these days? I will find out soon enough!

I fly out of MCI. This week I visited Dallas and Tampa. MCI did not look in my suitcase this week, though they did last week. DFW and TPA did this week. The ziploc bag is cheesy, but TSA can easily see my contents and that I have no liquids/gels.

Here's a laugh for everyone. You can't bring lip balm, moisturizer or toothpaste, but you can bring on personal lubricant! It's on the TSA website.

re: personal lube...Maybe they figure that letting people be, um, "happy" on planes decreases risk of flight rage. ;)

Flew SW on Sept 12 - saw a guy checking something in a size of a shoe box! So, no, there are no limits as of how small your luggage is, only how big.

And would it still be a pain if you get off the plane much faster?

<i>And would it still be a pain if you get off the plane much faster?</i>

Yes, if you ended up spending even more time standing in a thick crowd waiting for a checked bag that may or may not arrive intact on the carousel.

(I guess the real answer is you can't win no matter what you do.)