Checked vs. carry-on--solo
 

I know this has been discussed before and there are big pros and cons on both sides, but I just can't decide.

Pro-carry-on: This is my FIRST solo trip anywhere (to Paris, if that matters), so I can't borrow a travel partner's stuff if my case is lost or delayed. On my last (and only) trip to Europe, my friend's case WAS delayed for 2-3 days and she shared everything of mine (inc. clothes) for that time, so I know what people go thru when this happens. I DO know enough to put a change of clothes and toiletries in a small carry-on even if I check the main bag, but still...

Anti-carry-on: Two main things--I worry that there won't be room in the overheads to stow a 22-in bag by the time I board. Also, I'm short, so getting it into and out of overhead storage is a pain--especially getting it out without whacking someone's head. :-)

Another consideration--I'm flying the same airline (American) all the way thru (although there is one plane change), so I'm not as concerned about it being lost as I would be if I had multiple carriers.

I don't mind checking on the way back (I take an empty duffle to accomodate purchases, so I'll have to check something) because I don't care so much if my stuff is delayed if I'm at home, obviously.

So, what are your thoughts about checking versus carry-on, especially when flying solo?

Normally I hate to check luggage. But given your situation, I might be tempted to take one outfit in a small carry-on and then HOPE the main bag is lost and go shopping!

Seriously, if you are going to Paris and staying there--no changing hotels, lugging your suitcase on and off trains, etc.----I would check it. And then keep your fingers crossed.

1st thing, find out the weight limit for carry-on for American airlines. I always fly British Air to Europe and while my 22" is legal size it is well over the weight limit (only 13 lbs.). So I have to check it. Once I got used to the idea, I love it. Especially with a plane change and traveling by youself. It is a pain in the butt to drag all your stuff around airports with you, especially solo. That means in and out of every bathroom stop, airport cafe, magazine shop, etc. I pack a hefty carry-on with all my essentials, check my 22" thru, and hope for the best. So far so good.

..agree with Suzie. Check a 22'' and have a large "sack" with undies, basic toiletries and 1-2 tops. If you wear dark pants this should keep you going and elegant ( ok..relatively ) for a few days.

kswl--LOL!! The shopping possibilities DID cross my mind as well--I mentioned it to my mom earlier this evening when discussing it with her!! :S-

I'm going to wait and hope for more replies before deciding tho.

seriously now, do you know the weight limit? i'm harping on this because my 22" is about as light-weight as they come and it is 7.5 lbs. So that would mean I could pack all of 5.5 lbs. of stuff for my entire trip, to make it a legit carry-on at BA. you can do a sample pack and use your bathroom scale to get an idea how much your suitcase will weigh.

My basic strategy would work for this trip, or any trip, and I would make one modification.

I travel with one 22&quot; rollaboard (usually, but not always checked), and one small-medium size duffel as my carry-on. The duffel weighs virtually nothing (less than half a pound, and I put into it <b>every&lt;/Y&gt;thing that I think I could want or need for the first 2-3 days. It often approaches 20 (or more pounds), which is about the same as the <i>contents</i> (i.e., less the suitcase itself) of the rollaboard.

The duffel will fit under a seat (partly because it is squishable and formless), whereas the rollaboard really cannot unless you give up all your foot space (and the flight attendants won't really allow that anyway).

The modification? because there is always the possibility of some new and unexpected rule which precludes your carry-on (like the BA rule, which <i>is</i>totally anticipatable, since you have been warned here!) - - I would take a large drawstring plastic trash bag in the carry-on. Then, if confronted with a &quot;can't take that&quot; policy, I would be able to scavenge as much stuff as they would permit, and check the (remainder of the) duffel, if required to do so.

If carry-it-all-on can actually succeed for you, then i would do it. I would not worry about difficulties getting your bag into the onboard luggage holds. Someone can always help you.

Either way, I think you are unlikely to have trouble - - because you have thought about your options ahead of time.

It's those who don't that stumble.

Best wishes,

Rex

</b>

I often travel solo, and always carry on (except when flying British or Virgin because of the strict weight limitations suze mentions, or on small commuter type airlines)

I have yet to take the trip where I needed more than a 21 inch bag. Normally I take just a 19 incher and a medium sized handbag. Even for a 4 or 5+ week trip - that's all I need.

I wouldn't die if my bag was lost but packing light is second nature for me so it isn't hard at all. Wasting time at baggage claim, or even worse, wasting time/money buying new things to tide me over til a bag arrives is not my idea of a good start to my vacation.

I don't recommend carrying on tho' if you take a small suitcase but cram it so full it weighs a ton. I have some friends who pack so much into their 21's they might as well be using 24's or larger. The zippers bulge so much I'm surprised they don't burst. That isn't packing light - that is just cramming too much stuff in a too small bag.

In my 19 (or 21) inch bag there is enough space left over that I seldom even need the empty carry bag I often take to bring new treasures home in.

Hi g33kgrl, since I now travel solo I check my bag. Well actually always did anyway. In my carryone I take what I would need if my checked in bag didn't arrive for 48 hours. Don't you just hate that when you luggage travels to places you haven't even seen, LOL.

My carryon is small enough that I can put it under the seat in front of me.
Pack just travel size bathroom/cosmetic supplies. And take the attitude if you need to buy &quot;something&quot; the next day after arrival that is not the end of the world.

To me, especially when having to change planes, dragging stuff around an airport is such as pain as Suze said. I usually don't even have my purse with me on the plane. I put that in the checkin luggage (you can put your lingerie in a ziplock bag and put that in your purse). My carryone duffle bag has an outside zippered pocket. That is where I put my wallet, passport, airline info. etc. Just having one thing to handle is soooo nice and easy. Happy and easy travels to you!

Oh, I am so grateful for your tip. Why didn’t I think of it. Here I was worrying about the same thing but never thought of asking. Geez.

Oh, the agony of NOT previewing. If Fodors is introducing new features, 30 minute editability cannot get soone enough!

I do pretty much what LoveItaly does.
I check even a smallish bag, either it won't meet the weight requirements for a carry on, and even if it does, I don't want to be lifting it up and down, wheeling it around the airport, taking it with me into the airport ladies' room, etc. I'm on vacation , I prefer to be less encumbered.
Upon arrival, I don't mind waiting the 15 or so minutes for it to come into the terminal.
My carryon is also my handbag/purse, in addition to the usual purse things, it has a book, pillowcase, emergency cosmetics and handwipes for freshening up before arrival, bottle of water, snack, medications, a change of underwear, etc.
Because it is a (large-ish) shoulder totebag and I don't carry an additional purse, but doesn't look like luggage per se, I have never been asked to weigh it or check it (not even on BA), and I can tell you it has a substantial weight.

Suze--thanks for the reminder about weight. As I said, I'm flying American, not BA, and their carry-on limit is 40 lb. If I can lift it over my head to put it in the overhead, I'm pretty sure it weighs less than that, but I will be sure to weigh it just in case.

After reading all your replies, I am leaning somewhat toward checking now, using the duffle that I would otherwise have folded up empty in the larger bag as my carry-on with essentials. Neither it nor the 22-in will be all that full (I'm only there 5 nights), so I can consolidate the two at CDG and still have only one to deal with on the Metro to my hotel.

And if it does get delayed--there ARE worse things than emergency shopping in Paris.

Thanks very much to all of you--you always mention things I hadn't considered (Rex--last minute rule changes). This is why I post here. :-)

I could never travel for several weeks with what is allowed as carry-on, so it has become somewhat moot, and I always check my main bag. I do take only a 22&quot; but it does not really pass the sizing standards. I don't think a suitcase really passes those unless it is really around 20&quot;, at least not if anything is in any outside pocket. If you only have one bag, you are probably putting something in those pockets. Theoretically, you are allowed only one carryon and a purse.

I do not want to travel all the way to Europe with something stuck under the seat in front of me that takes up all the room, as that gives you even less leg room than the tiny amount you are allowed. Suitcases won't fit under there, anyway, though.

It's up to you, really; I know there is some chance of a bag getting delayed or lost, and it's a bit of a hassle if it does. I've had that happen about three times, but it really didn't bother me much at all as I did receive the bag within a day. If it were 2-3 days, it would be more trouble.

I really wouldn't decide based on whether it's heavy for you to lift or if you are short, there are always tons of people around who will help you with that on the plane. Guys are always helping me with my stuff unasked, even though they aren't nearly that big, and I can handle them myself. People are usually very nice about that kind of thing.

If your bag is delayed, do you have to go back to the airport to retrieve it?

No, they will deliver it to you. But this does raise an important point - - your paranoia hould perhaps relate to how much you are a stationary or moving target, your first 24-72 hours after your flight arrives.

Point taken. That’s why a well-planned trip can be so rewarding.

It would be a good idea to remain stationary if you have to deal with jet lag anyway.

I will be in Paris the whole time, but in 2 different hotels (so I can see more of the city). I will be at the first hotel 3 nights, so hopefully it be able to catch up with me there, unless they completely lose it.

In your experience, how likely do you think is it to be lost or delayed with only 1 plane change (same airline, and plenty of time [2 hr.] for the changeover)?

This brought up something that perhaps many travellers do not do.

I write on a legal size paper my name, and where I will be for the first 3 nights after arriving. I put this inside my check in luggage. The outside tag has my name &amp; my daughters phone #.

I put my daughters name &amp; phone # on a large piece of paper inside my checkin luggage for the checked in bag when I fly home.

It is good to NOT have your personal address on or in your luggage if your residence is going to be unoccupied while you are on your trip. It is better to show a contact number (with their permission of course).

And if for some reason your outside tag gets torn off (it can happen) the paper inside will help the airline get your luggage to you.

I take a backpack as a carryon and I check my roller luggage (22&quot;). I wish I could take the luggage into the cabin with me. But I can't lift it into the overhead compartment due to my back plus I don't want to bother others to ask for assistance. So far checking it works fine for me.

just to further confuse things.....

I usually try not to check bags if I have a connecting flight abroad...domestically I often check a bag even on a connecting flight because I'm in my home country, can speak the language and have never had a bag not be on the next flight...

However - going overseas on a connecting flight, I try very hard not to check a bag even if my connecting flight is the same airline and same flight # .
BECAUSE
I live in a major hub (SF) - if I am flying SFO-NYC-MAD (as I did a couple of summers ago) and something goes wrong with one of the flights AFTER I've checked in - - they have to pull the bags off the original flight and move them to the new flight. In this case, my original SFO-JFK flight was horribly delayed after I'd already checked in. Because I would have missed my JFK-MAD flight if I took the original domestic leg, they put me on a SFO-ORD-JFK flight that would put me in NY in enough time to make my MAD connection..which I did...but my bags didn't. I spent 3 days without them and part of the issue was that MAD has one office to handle all lost luggage from all airlines and they only speak spanish....

So - I try and book direct non stop flights overseas and if i can't I try to do carry on only. Coming home I take all my souvenirs/purchases as carry on and check everything else....

My son lost his luggage when he took a DIRECT flight Raleigh to Boston. We had a wedding in Cape Cod. Try to replace a good suit in Cape Cod (well, that’s another story).

The point is this was a direct flight and the bag was lost anyway. It took three weeks to get it back. They found it in Seattle.

I think the only thing you can do is try to prepare for any mishaps but if something like that happens, treat it as any other problem that can arise on vacation and move on. Heck, it’s my vacation, I am going to have fun.

Hi Simone, see that is what I mean. Our luggage gets to travel to places we don't even get a chance to visit, LOL.

Seriously though, that must have been very frustrating. And three weeks? The bag must have made a round the world trip.

Life sometimes teaches you a few things. My two sons had saved their money to buy good suits. It was their cousin’s wedding. They arrived Friday night to attend the wedding the next afternoon. We ran around in Vineyard Haven looking for good suits. We finally gave up and decided to shell out money for suits that they would rarely wear.

On the way to the store we passed a thrift store. I told my sons we should try there just in case. Of course, they wouldn’t hear of it. I dragged them into the store, I think they followed me just to make me feel better. I told the clerk what happened with their luggage. Two of the clerks went into the back of the store and after a few minutes they came back with several options. They ended up with a couple of very good-looking suits. The total bill: $43.00. Of course only the immediate family knew what happened. We all laughed every time they received a compliment on their dashing look.

The one thing that none of us had realized is that the thrift store received donations from very wealthy residents

Oh Simone, that is quite a story!! Good for you. Often mothers do know best don't they? But how frustrated you all must have been but thankfully they looked proper and handsome for their cousins wedding. And their new suits (never worn) are now experienced travellers! Best wishes to you.

Rex brings up a good point; I think there is always someone who is willing to assist with placing or retreiving a bag from the overheads. I always assist, I'm tall, and given the crush loading and unloading, there is always time. Besides, after a nine hour flight, I'm usually acquainted with those around me.

I know you've decided to check it - but just re the problem of lifting your bag into the overhead: I am very short and while my bag is never more than about 25 lbs and easy to lift, on many jumbo planes the overheads - especially in the center - are too high for me to reach. I always try to get an aisle seat and when I get there I stand on the seat and can easily reach the over head. Do it all the time. But trust me -- the minute I step up there about 5 men and sometimes tall women rush to assist me. Their help usually isn't needed but it is always there if required. It has never been a problem. But I would NEVER ask some one to lift my bag if it was crammed full and weighed 40 lbs. That's just asking for trouble.

I'm not quite 5'2 and usually try to do carry-on only. I take the largest rollaboard allowed which I store in the overhead and also have another carry-on that fits under the seat. I have everything I'll want during the flight in the smaller bag and don't have to get to the larger one. Someone always helps me.

Hearing more details, I'm changing my vote! With a 40 lb. baggage allowance and only a 5 day trip... I could easily pack carry-on only. Depending the empty-weight of your bag, it should easily come in ~20-25 lbs. packed. While still a pain to drag around airports and on and off the plane IMO, I'd probably go for it (carry-on). I didn't know at the start of the discussion this was only a five day trip.

Darn it, you guys, now I'm leaning toward carry-on! LOL I think I would feel more &quot;secure&quot; knowing my stuff is with me. I guess I will try that--the worst that happen is that they make me check it after all. Maybe needing help with the bag will help me get to know my fellow passagers--I tend to be rather shy. Plus, more incentive to pack light and leave more room for souvenirs!

Thanks to everyone for their perspectives!

I do the same as Janis - the old stand on the arm rest trick - I am a solo traveler and always carry on. I have even done it on Virgin with the low weight allowance. Usually someone will help you if you are really struggling. I try to buy very light-weight rolling bags - not more than 8 pounds.
Mara

I've traveled solo for two of the last three trips to Europe this past year. I used a rolling carry-on for all three trips plus the one personal item, a &quot;teardrop&quot; shaped over the shoulder bag into which I tuck my purse during the plane trip.

I checked nothing until this past trip, on which I brought a carry on sized duffle to carry home purchases and checked the rolling carry-on, return trip only. I agree about not schlepping bags around the airport, but I'd rather schlep there than in and around cities, train stations, etc. But that's personal preference.

BTW--I weighed my bag last night, and on my digital bathroom scale, it's only 6.5 lb! Pretty good for a 22-in, eh?

Yes, that's great &amp; about as good (light) as you can get in a suitcase with frame, wheels, popup handle. I can't image why you'd need more than about 20 lbs. total for a 5 day trip. Why not pack with the intension of carrying it on? The only drawback is remember about restrictions on sharp items (nail clippers, swiss army knife etc. which always are in my checked suitcase).

Suze--I checked on this because I want to take a corkscrew, and the only common things that are banned from carry-on now are pointy-ended scissors, anything with a blade (swiss army knife, etc.), and lighters. Nail clippers and corkscrews are specifically listed as allowed items on the TSA website. I'm going to print it out and take it with me in case they want to confiscate it! Of course, if they insist, I'll give it up and not argue, but I'm going to try to take it.

Good to know an update on that stuff, thank you. You could always wait and buy a corkscrew in Paris. Corkscrews are easy to come by &amp; make fantastic souveniers... my current one at home says Switzerland in big letters down the side ;-)

I wasn't focusing on this being only a five day trip, either. In that case, I would try to do only carryon, and you should be able to, depending on the airlines' rules and size limits.

Of course the odds are very slim that it will get lost, but it can happen. Airlines deliver to your hotel, at least all the ones I've had do. Good point in that this doesn't work so well if you are immediately going somewhere else a long ways away. I think it is less likely to happen if it's nonstop, but it always can happen -- all the baggage people have to do is stick it in the wrong spot when they unload it, and it can be going somewhere else. I had that happen once, they put it in the baggage unloading section to go to another city. Luckily, it did not because of the tag, but it wasn't unloaded at the baggage carrousel with the others and took several hours to find.

I always stick a copy of my itinerary in a pocket of my baggage, but listing my name, home phone number, flights and hotel information by date doesn't take more than a small piece of paper.

I've been reading posts for a couple months now, in anticipation of a trip to Italy (only 11 days!) I have gotten so much info - and really enjoyed it. Now I find out that BA'a carry on limit is 13 pounds! That's amazing. Now you've saved me time and embarrassment of repacking in line to check-in. Thanks!!

Hi g33kgrl,
What brand bag do you have that is so light? I need a new 22&quot; and weight is important since I always carry on due to too many delayed bags in the past--once for almost two weeks (got it back the day before my return--my husband's was also delayed and we had each packed some of our things in the other's bag in case...)
Anyone else have a really light weight 22&quot;?

I have been to Paris numerous times with my daughter and the best way to travel is with carry-on luggage. I am going alone for a week at the very end of Sept. and plan to take my intrepid 22&quot; roll-aboard and a small tote. Pack a folding carry-all bag for the trip home and check your larger suitcase. After all, who cares if the airlines lose your dirty clothes? It's your purchases that you want with you!