Suze, that may be true, I've never tried although my main bag is carry-on size, but I check it.

I agree with dulci, in part, but believe rather than do away with the overheads, the allowed size of carry-on bags should be reduced, including their weight, and the size and weight restrictions enforced. Some airlines do have weight restrictions on carry-ons and it makes the whole cabin experience better.

I once had an inept woman fiddling with her bag and dropped it on my head, not a nice experience and I suspect it happens regularly. I see no valid reason to have other than "personal items" carried on despite the whining that many will do to justify the practice of bringing all their junk with them.

It is true. I weight my bag every trip. I don't care about this debate, only saying that a typical allowable "carry-on suitcase" doesn't fit under the seat in front of you.

I believe you, Suze, was not disputing what you say. Just that I've never tried, hope never to need to try.

My dispute is with the meaning of the term you use "allowable", which I believe should be redefined.

The OP wrote, "We always carryon our luggage, usually weighing 20-25 pounds. My husband is concerned he can't lift the luggage overhead and feels we should check our bags."

A viable answer is pack less weight in a smaller bag and put it under the seat. Which part of that is it that you don't understand suze?

What is your alternative answer to solve the OPs problem?

While pretty boring from a sartorial point of view, I travel sometimes on foot with about 10 pounds of essentials, including 1 complete change so I can wash the other, for a week or so at a time. My point, it's never how much you pack but what you pack. If weight is an issue, as it is here, then a well-designed travel wardrobe can solve the problem completely. Rinsing things in a sink as you go is no hardship, despite the excuses some will espouse to the contrary.

One needs no more stuff for a month than a weekend if you do it right. Very few use everything they bring along and if we run short it's a perfect excuse for a purchase. There are so many reasons to bring less, and while I have yet to pack the perfect amount, trying is a game I play with myself and is as much a part of travel as planning an itinerary or buying tickets. It's such an obvious thing to do, I never understand the seeming resistance to doing it.

Dulcie asked <<
What is your alternative answer to solve the OPs problem?>>

My suggestion would be to ask another passenger if they might help you put your bags in the overhead locker.

If it was me on that flight, I'd be delighted to help.

No doubt, a nearby passenger will help. But 1 plane trip does not a trip make. There are trains, busses, flights of stairs, on & on. Why not anticipate rather than struggle?

MmePerdu, you are attempting to reason with unreasonable people.

If someone writes, 'concerned he can't lift the luggage overhead' the obvious and logical answer is to not need to lift it overhead or to pack only as much as you can lift overhead, but that would be logical and it is not a logical answer they want.

They want to know how they can do what they can't do. ie. how to get a 25lb. bag into an overhead bin when you are unable to lift it.

I'm sure some actually see that as being the question. In one way it's hilarious in another it is a sad commentary on the average thinking to be found today.

"...a sad commentary on the average thinking to be found today."

Or in any day and why I have no hope whatever for the world. Nothing changes...ever.


So don't worry, be happy.

We follow Rick Steves' mantra in that we pack for a month and a half the same as for a week and a half. We only take carry on and a personal item each, and they are very manageable for us. We're almost 70 and 67. We find we can wear in rotation just 3 changes of clothes, and with what we are wearing we have 4. The clothes have never gotten dirty or smelly. We could definitely rinse out but so far have never had to do even that. No hair dryer or electronics except for cell. I understand people love their kindles, laptops, etc., but they do add some weight. We are happy to help others who need it, but we haven't so far needed it ourselves.

Well done 1965.

Now you may hear from those who will wonder how you manage with 4 changes including underwear and never having to rinse them out for a month and a half. You might want to clarify that small point.

The average tourist who posts here has no idea of what lighweight travel really means.

Those who travel long and often will likely learn from experience as the years go by. It's easier to get around with less and as we get older, 20 pounds feels exactly like the 30 or more we used to drag around. So if our brains don't get the point, our bodies likely will.

Maybe 1965 uses disposable underwear.

Backpacker protip: If you turn your underwear inside out, you can get an extra day out of it.


I guess the ultralight packers aren't big on bringing things back with them.

Sparkchaser, while I consider myself a semi-light, not an ultralight, I don't bring things back, I mail them back.

That seems like an unnecessary extra cost to me.

On my first real long term trip MmePerdu I left home with a Boy Scout knapsack. Much like this one: http://www.lemagasin.eu/wp-content/g...1/img_3577.jpg

I was gone for 51 weeks. When I got home it had pretty much what had been in it to start with along with some sand from the Sahara.

I guess the sand was what I brought back sparkchaser. Or was it the memories of those 51 weeks? I didn't even take a camera and guess what, the memories are as clear as ever still.

"That seems like an unnecessary extra cost to me."

Not to me. Feel free to not participate.

I would also like to state that when one buys a seat on the airline it does not automatically entitle you to the overhead space above your seat.The overhead bins are for EVERYONE so play nice and share! :)

What would happen if passengers who did not need to access the overhead bins were allowed to deplane first? I think it would help clear the aisles for those needing to get luggage down and would be a small reward for those not bringing larger items on board.

<i>What would happen if passengers who did not need to access the overhead bins were allowed to deplane first?</i>

You would get a lot of angry people.