historytraveler

Since I usually travel by myself and travel light, I 've always selected the saloon car, although have gotten everything from SUV to a van. This trip I'm taking family and a bit baffled my luggage terms. Can I assume that a suitcase means a checked bag over the usual 22"/ 23" requirement for carry-on and that hand luggage refers to carry-on bag size which would be less than 23"?

There will be eight of us and have not convinced everyone that carry-on is the way to go. I'm looking at reserving two cars with 4 passengers each. My daughter and son-in-law will be taking larger bags ( about 26" ) my grandsons ...thanks to their clever Granna who purchased carry on size luggage for their Christmas will be fine ( under 23" ) each person will have a backpack (day size). My son, daughter- in-law and granddaughter are more travel savvy and each has a carry on size bag ( less than 23" ) and each will have a day pack. However, they will have a bag of climbing gear just under 50 lbs. and about 36"x24"x 9" or 10" .

Guess after all this verbosity, I'm simply asking if the day packs will be counted or not since they can be held in lap or on the floor. Several years ago I had a driver very upset with me because I had a tote bag which easily sat on my lap but had not been included with other luggage ( traveling with husband). He insisted that I owed him more for the 'extra' bag. After a long trip I was not in the mood to argue, so I paid but was not happy about it. This time I just don't want any hassles in the first 24 hours.

janisj

>>I'm simply asking if the day packs will be counted or not since they can be held in lap or on the floor>36"x24"x 9" or 10"

historytraveler

Thanks, janisj. That's pretty much what I thought, just looking for further clarification. Yes, that one bag is a bit of a bear, but it'll be full of climbing equipment.

Christina

I don't think the term suitcase pertains to size, but the type of baggage it is. You can have a suitcase that is only 18". I think you know what it is, it's not a backpack or duffle bag or totebag, something of fixed size more or less, that is relatively hard-sided.

I wouldn't presume that something will be allowed as carryon if it is just under 23" . I've never seen an airline that allowed that large a suitcase as carryon (eg, 22.75"), except that some aren't as rigorous in scrutinizing what people carry on. But I"ve never seen anything that large as listed as allowed as a carryon, all the airlines I fly, the limit is 21-22". And it isn't just the height, either, I've had to check a bag that was only 22" on American once because they said it was too "thick", they admitted the height was fine. They do look at other limits than the height sometimes.

I think a driver complaining that a totebag should be included as a luggage count is just unusual, most wouldn't do that IF you are keeping it with you in your seat. Of course it depends how big this totebag was. I've seen people with totebags that are as large as a 18-20" piece of luggage.

janisj

Christina: I have taken countless car services -- maybe 40+ in London alone and none have considered an 18 or 19 inch carry on as a 'suitcase'.

But again, it will depend on the individual car service. . .