I have a tight connection in Miami to Peru and am trying to get away with just a carry-on. I have a North Face duffle that is slightly bigger than the allowed carry-on size. However, with what I have in it it's not full and could be smooshed into a small bin. As long as it's under the weight limit will they allow me to carry it on?

If I have to check it from Phila to Miami I don't think there's any way to retrieve it, run around the airport to the international terminal and get through check-in & security in just under 2 hours. American says they can check our luggage all the way through from Phila to Cusco but I've read of others having problems and not getting their luggage for days. Plus, if we are late getting into Miami and miss that flight out but our luggage goes ahead without us, that would be a pain.

One of the difficulties in trying to answer a question like this is no matter what we say you'll still have to get past the airline's ticket/gate agents and/or Flight Attendants - who will have the final say. If any of them tell you "NO" telling them that "WE" told you it was "OK" won't carry any weight whatsoever.

Now for the practicalities, if your bag is not full and not obviously much bigger than the maximum size you'll probably be able to carry it on board. If you are stopped the by airline personnel you'll have to check your bag - that's the risk you'll be taking. Nothing we say can give you any guarantees.

I agree that it is very likely you will have no trouble using your duffel bag as a carry on. I've flown AA from MIA to South America several times (never to Peru) with a carry on that was close to the limit with nary a second look.

Same disclaimer as RA.

Thanks for the replies. I figured it was really up to the agent and could go either way but it helps to hear people who've done it with no problem.

I'm going to try to change our flight from Phil to Miami to an earlier one that day (stand-by) so if we have more time in Miami I won't care if we have to check it.

It's impossible to say because every airline, every ticket agent, every flight can be slightly different. Even if I was able to do exactly the same thing today, doesn't mean you will tomorrow (if your bag is larger than allowed).

I'd carry it on and would keep the current schedule. Is a 2-hour connection in MIA really a tight one?

In the unlikely event that it got gate checked it will probably make it to your destination.

In the unlikely event that your flight is delayed you will have more of a case to not have the bag gate checked. If you can smoosh it under your seat then no problem.

In the unlikely combination of two unlikely events - the bag got gate checked and the PHL departure was late, then you will be able to make the connection without being encumbered by the bag.

In the unlikely combination of three unlikely events - the bag got check, your PHL departure was late, and the bag makes the flight but you don't, then that is ok your bag will be there when you arrive.

Lots of variables, I know!

Thanks for all of the advice.