Alitalia Nightmares - Help in Advance Please!!!!
 

Hello and Happy New Year,

I would greatly appreciate if someone could please give me the lowdown on packing for Alitalia's rules & regs. I'm flying direct to Rome from NYC next month and am trying to be proactive by packing it all onto a carry-on (one week trip).

However, I checked the web site and called Alitalia with questions (reassurance, really) wondering if I could even bring a small suitcase on board. They are SO rude! One outright hung up on me, the other one was just nasty. Yikes.

Bottom line, the bag needs to be no more than 45" all around, and max. 11 lbs. Obviously that's how much it weighs before it's even full. Do I even bother packing a carry-on suitcase, only to be forced to check it at the gate? Or do I roll the dice and hope against hope that it makes it there along with me?

Thank you Fodorites :)

Buona sera ant,
I completely understand your angst about checked luggage. I have checked luggage only once in 7 trips to Italy, and only on my return flight to the states.
That said, I have decided to check my bag both ways for my March trip to Italy. I have about 3 hours layover in Newark both ways, and while that is no guarantee my bag will follow me, I keep telling myself it will be OK.
Sure, you can bring a small carry-on. I'm carrying on a "weekend-er size super-purse thing", and I will put a change of clothes in my carry-on. Just remember that you can only carry on 3 bottles of no more than 3 ounces in 1 quart-size ziploc. I'm also thinking that I will put all my electronics, ie: two cell phones, camera, GPS, and IPod in a gallon size ziploc inside my carry-on.
The way I see it, these carry-on rules will only get more restrictive. I might as well get used to checking luggage now.
Have a wonderful time next month. Please let us know how your luggage concerns turn out.
Buon viaggio,
BellaLuna

Hi A,

It's amazing how so many people complain about Alitalia AFTER they buy their tickets or complete their trip. What's the old saying, you get what you pay for !!!

Thanks Bella... I appreciate your words of faith. Also smart to keep your electronics/valuables on you. No sense in taking risks.

Barb, I'm not sure how to respond..? I've never had any dealings with Alitalia before and didn't think to research it before I booked (they're so well-known that I never would have imagined the psycho customer service agents.) It was in my Fodors searches for itinerary/packing ideas that I came across others' stories and began to get nervous.

I flew Alitalia this past November to Bologna - connecting through Milan. I checked my one suitcase and had one tumi backpack that I carried on. My luggage arrived with no problems - the in-flight meal was actually pretty good - my experience with Alitalia was enjoyable. When checking in your suitcase make sure its tagged for Rome and then let it go. If fate decides your suitcase ends up in Helsinki, consider it an opportunity to buy new clothes (in Rome). And just think - you'll blend in because you'll be dressed like a local, unlike the tourists. There is only so much you can prepare for. I would rather check the bag at the counter and personally check the tag than hand my suitcase over to a flight attendant while boarding.

I flew Alitalia in September/October to/from U.S. My experiences with the airline were positive. On time, relatively comfortable seats for coach class, decent meals.

I had no problem with my checked luggage getting there when I did. I also took a carry on bag--a small one with wheels that met the 45" standard. That bag was large enough to pack my camera & charger, a change of clothing, a light weight jacket. The carry on bag was never weighed.

I have flown Alitalia several times and find them absolutely no worse than anyone else. The fact that you think that all carry on size suitcases weigh 11 pounds empty suggests that you don't have much experience with carry on. There are tons of bags out there (20-22" x 14" x 9") that weigh no more than 6 pounds. I have three different ones. My favorite is an Eddie Bauer bag I got at Target several years ago - it's been to Europe more than most people I know and shows no sign of wear. It weighs 6 pounds empty.

Now, that does still only leave you 5 pounds for clothes, but you can get quite a bit in that amount, especially if you don't need to pack heavy shoes. Wear your heaviest clothing, bring the really heavy stuff in your "personal item" which can be a farily large pocketbook/bag. I put all my electronics, books, cameras, etc in that bag. They don't weigh that one.

I've flown Alitalia lots of times and never had a problem. But I don't subscribe to the 'carry on only' school of packing. I find it much easier to check my bag in and collect it at the other end. I just take onboard a small shoulder bag with reading material, medications & 1 night's essentials, just in case. Apart from finding it easier that way, as one who prefers an aisle seat I do worry about big heavy bags falling on me if overhead lockers open due to turbulance or a rough landing. Minimal hand luggage means everyone gets boarded a lot quicker too.

Note anyway that the current rule specifying 1 small bag to carry on doesn't just apply to Alitalia, it applies to all flights departing from airports across most of Europe. So although you might be able to carry on a bigger bag on your way out with another airline, you'd have to check it in going back.

Hi Ant...I think your question is fair and I can't understand why you are getting as rude treatment from some people on this board as you got over the phone with Alitalia...I wish people could use a little more kindness with their responses.

I have tried in the past to do carry on only and I must say it is getting more and more difficult. The suitcase companies must be frustrated trying to make the perfect carry on size which seems to change every year. Not to mention that taking toiletries onboard has become a science...knowing what is acceptable or not.

I say that you pack it and be willing to part with it if it doesn't make the grade with the airline carry on policy. Allow yourself some extra time in case you get to security and they have a problem with the contents of your case and ask you to check it.

Travel is meant to be fun and you don't want to start sweating the small stuff before you even depart. Go with the flow and know that things do go wrong and roll with the punches.

Enjoy your vacation....and Happy New Year to you as well.

Antln-- Alitalia has told you weight and height; you either meet them or you don't. Simple as that. Your insistence on calling ("-reassurance, really-") is a waste of THEIR time given that the guidelines are published and clear. I am not surprised they hung up on you.

Don't be surprised if you continue to receive impatient treatment; to insist on bringing carry-on that clearly does not meet guidelines is not only rude on your part, it is plan childish. Grow up.

Thanks everyone, some good points in there. In fact, the resarch online I had done for "light" suitcases all came in around 10.5 - 11 lbs per piece by the way.

Pausanias, I unlike you, woke up on the right side of the bed this morning, so why don't you just have a nice day and repeat after me: "Nobody says 'duh' anymore". It really takes away from whatever point it is you think you're trying to make.

I am ROTFL because I did not read Pausanias's post before posting mine yet they make the same points, got to the same conclusions, and give the same recs. Brilliant Minds Think Alike!

Antln-- just get to the airport early so you can get your tantrum over by the time is time to fly....

or fools seldom differ

Thank you Crazy, I appreciate your words. Nice to know that someone around here ism't opposed to questions.

Guys, calm yourselves down. I am neither an immature traveler nor a whining person. I simply wanted to know if I should make the attempt to bring a weeks' luggage on the airplane or not. I would never ask for preferential treatment! This is my first trip to Europe and I don't know what to expect at the gate. I've been reading up on various traveler web sites and have seen enough to make me worry about my luggage arriving with me.

As far as calling Alitalia, that's what customer service is for. I paid my fair share for my ticket. If I have questions, they ought to be able to answer them in a courteous manner. Now kindly move on to another post if you don't have anything productive to say.

Wow! Such emotion about an airline! :)

Anyhow, my experience was OK, but I woulnd't fly with them again (in fact just booked my husband with United).

Luggage was checked and NOT lost - always good! I don't think their seats, etc., are any worse than other lines, but I don't seem to be as tuned into that as others.

The attendants aren't extra friendly -- you are more or less on your own except for food service. Wine, soda, etc., are put out and you are free to drink as much as you want.

My complaint: Seating assignment. They just don't do it or live up to the ones they give you. I had a random assignment on my way over (in spite of several confirmations in advance) and there was open seating on the way home, so I ended up by a window. UGH!

I thought this site was meant to help fellow travelers...I was a travel agent for 20 years and have heard every question in the book. Perhaps that's why I have a bit more patience with the first time traveler. I would not want people to be discouraged from visiting this site as a result of some people who really seem to have gotten out of the wrong side of the bed today.

Kindness and compassion get you much further in life than criticism and ridicule.

Celiaaanne & Crazy4Travel: Thank you both kindly. I really was just trying to be proactive and address my concerns before I left and not at the airport..I thought that would have been the smart thing to do!

It's posters like you and the rest of the nice ones on this thread which are the reason I will NOT be deterred from asking questions. I'm truly excited about my trip! I've waited so long for this and will happily heed all the good advice on this forum. Much appreciated.

Have a great trip Ant and enjoy!!

If you're flying direct from NYC to Rome [and you don't have another leg before NYC], the odds are high that your bag will make it if you check it. IMHO it's better to just plan on checking it rather than worry about it and risk holding things up (for everyone!) at the gate.

Incidentally, I flew ATL-JFK-FCO 3 yrs ago with Delta for the ATL-JFK leg and Alitalia for the JFK-FCO. My checked bag did NOT make it because the flight was late leaving Atlanta and they did not get my bag transferred to the Alitalia flight in time. (I only made it because I ran.) In Rome the Alitalia people were awesome about tracking the bag and getting it to me--in Bologna--as soon as it arrived. So even IF your bag should HAPPEN not to make it, you will get it. Alitalia gives out a little overnight kit if your bag goes astray, complete with toiletries, a sleepshirt, and paper slippers. :-)

Thanks Crazy, I will surely post when I get back..

DejaVu, that's really good to know. I'm going to Rome, then Florence so I was wondering how they would handle it if I were in another city by the time the bag was found (should it have been lost). Thanks!

1. I agree with DejaVu. Chance of losing bag on a non-stop flight is very slim.

2. Light weight 21" rollaboards that can be carried into the cabin usually weigh <8lb. Many choices out there. Like the Skyway that I bought for my mom.

I've taken the last couple of weeks off from work and spent at least a couple of hours a day doing research on my Italy trip for Spring Break. I've actually done quite a lot of traveling, but mostly within the US by car for the last 15 years due to family size and associated expenses.

It's been 30 years since I've flown to Europe and you should all realize the changes that have taken place with air travel during that time period. I have to be amused at how some people read things into other people's posts. I think that's why many schools don't like teachers to communicate with parents via email...too much can be misinterpreted. Ants original question seemed fairly innocuous to me...how Pausanias found it to be whiny and desiring special treatment is odd. The question is helpful to me because I haven't gotten that far in my research and am actually still trying to decide on the best flights and airlines. Remember...it's like school...don't be embarassed to ask a question. Frequently others have the same one.

I personally am quite OCD and would rather understand and verify all rules and regulations in advance. Websites are not always kept totally up to date. Rudeness in Customer Service should never be tolerated...their job is "Customer Service".

As Mother always said...if you can't say something nice...don't say anything.

Oh...and one other thing....some of us have to work for a living and also have families we want to spend time with. We appreciate other people's questions whether they seem novice to some of you. We don't sit on the computer all day looking for people to belittle.

Why start off a wonderful trip to Italy with a problem before departure if it can be avoided?

Thanks Deb...very well put. I have traveled for many years but like you say...things are changing all the time. I have found the Fodors website very helpful in planning my trips. I just don't understand the harsh remarks which really go overboard in my opinion.

>>There are tons of bags out there (20-22" x 14" x 9") that weigh no more than 6 pounds.

I've made five trips to Europe with a 2-1/2# ETBD convertible bag. It shows no signs of wear. I am now replacing it with a 1-3/4# Campmor bag. It's made of lighter weight nylon. I got tired of carrying 3/4# of "quality" around Europe.

Still, I am well above the Alitalia 11# limit (I get 17.6# on Lufthansa).

It is a little late now, but the best advice, check the airlines website in advance of buying tickets. They all give the carryon limit. And, don't fly Alitalia.

Ant: again, I don't think it will happen, but if it makes you feel better :-) : yes, Alitalia would get your bag to you in a city other than the arrival city. It took an extra day, but my bag arrived right at my Bologna hotel safe and sound. It's a good idea to have your hotel's full address (postal/zip code and all) in case you have to give it to the airline people. That's good practice anytime.

Oh, and I should say, I went straight from Rome airport to catch a train to Bologna, so the total time I was without my bag was two days. It would have been only one day had I been staying in Rome. It was not long.

Last few posts are awesome... I am sending a big huuuug to you all for making my thread a little more warm & fuzzy :)

I am always the one it seems that opens my big mouth and asks the questions everyone else is thinking but nobody wants to ask. It gets me into trouble sometimes, but at least I know I'm going to somehow get an answer.

Deb, very well put indeed. Larry cracked me up with that last line :)but I do thank you for the luggage suggestion. DejaVu, I will definitely have my hotel information handy, for sure!

The funniest thing about this whole thing that I just have to share with you guys is that I travel domestically quite often for both business and pleasure. I never have trouble navigating the carry-on situation with our airlines. It's just that I've been abroad only twice, both times to S. Africa for work. I had co-workers that had been there many times and they gave me all of their luggage tips, plus we had a working relationship with SAA so I never had any questions go unanswered. That was of course, before all of these new rules and restrictions.

The last thing I want to be is "that guy/girl at the gate" who's holding everyone up. I'd rather bug people on here first and see what I come up with ;)

Truly though, you guys are really helping to put my worries to rest, so again, thank you.

Hi Antln, put your intinerary with the dates, complete information where you will be staying (include the phone numbers as well) and your name and information. That way if your ID on the outside of your luggage gets ripped of the information will be inside your luggage which will help Alitalia get your bag to you. Enjoy beautiful Italy!!