ParisAmsterdam

I'm also a convert to wheels. I've been carry on only for years and wish I could convince my wife... waiting 45 minutes for her checked bag to appear drives me crazy! LOL

I have an el cheapo 22 inch roller that's now done 2 trips to France, one to Greece, a couple to the US and weekend jaunts. It looks and works like new and if I recall it cost me about 60 bucks.

For me one of the best things I've discovered are the space saving vacuum bags. Get the real travel ones, not regular ziplocs and not the kind you need to hook up to a vacuum cleaner. I think I paid 15 dollars for 3 at a travel store.
They have a double seal and a gadget to seal them tight. You roll them and just when you're sure they'll explode in your face a special valve opens and the air shoots out. You're left with a flat pack taking up 50% of the space or less. I love them. I did learn to put complete outfits in the bags though... separate ones for tops, trousers and socks/underthings mean you are always needing to open all the bags. ;^(

Some people don't like them but they sure work for me... on a trip to Greece a friend had the same size bag and was amazed when I was wearing clean fresh clothes when he was having to 'recycle' his! LOL

Good luck!

Rob

sassy_cat

Unless someone was coming along to carry my bag I would stick to one with wheels!

The handle actually takes up more space than the wheels internally so do check inside before you buy.

sap

Wheels. Definitely.

Keiracaitlyn

I have a Delsey Helium Lite 100 (now discontinued), similar to this and I absolutely love it:

http://www.amazon.com/Delsey-Helium-.../dp/B0000XKD4K

ekscrunchy

Ok! Thank you all for the truly helpful information and accounts of your own travels. I will now return to the drawing board, or should I say to the luggage carousel, and turn my attention to the wheeled bags. I am one of those who traveled all around using non-wheeled bags--I got a set of Lark luggage for my college graduation and those bags got lots of use, and also knocked my back out more than a few times!

So now....what is the absolute largest size that will be accepted as carry on? I know all airlines have slightly different specs, but I just need a general idea. For the record, on this upcoming trip I am flying (the dreaded) Alitalia!

Please post links to any of your own preferred bags here, too! Thanks again for all of the help!!

jubilada

Eks: I too got Lark Luggage for graduation; heavy and substantial and mine was a weird sort of rust and olive green check. It still sits in my basement!
Now I use ebags brand in many different sizes, but I like the quality, variety, lifetime warranty and free shipping.

notbob

Alitalia changes the landscape. Wow! It looks like Alitialia upped their weight limit from 5 kilos to 8 kilos. From their website.

Hand baggage dimensions
You are allowed to carry only 1 piece of hand luggage onboard which must not exceed the following dimensions (including handles, side pockets and wheels):
Weight:8 kgs
length: 55 cm
height: 25 cm
depth: 35 cm

Still thats only 17.6 pounds. I'm not sure you can afford to lose the extra weight of the wheels and the handle and still get enough stuff in.

You'll need to watch the weight of any bag you use.

Therese

"So now....what is the absolute largest size that will be accepted as carry on?"

Don't think in terms of the absolute largest size---you don't need that much stuff.

If you really want to do carry-on only for Alitalia, which has weight limit of 8 kg and doesn't permit a second personal item, you're going to need to go to some pretty extreme measure. It's definitely do-able, but you're going to have think it through.

Some tips:

1. No books, no laptop (I use my iPhone's Kindle app to read, and download guide books as well, and also use my iPhone for email, web access, etc.).

2. Don't even bother to think about things like shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. All the brands that you're used to using in the U.S. are widely available in Italy, and none of it's expensive. You mentioned on another thread that you were planning on checking your bag for the return trip (to accomodate the purchase of food and beverages), so you can check any leftover toiletries if you'd like.

3. No hairdryers, etc. Hotels have them. Even really cheap hotels (and I often use these for work) will have a loaner at the desk.

4. Consider using a Scottevest (google it). I use the women's travel vest, and you can fit all sorts of stuff in the pockets: camera, jewelry, whatever toiletries you don't think you can find in Italy.

5. Consider removing some of the items from your suitcase for the "weighing in" ceremony. After the bag's been weighed and tagged as okay as cabin luggage (which will occur when you check in and receive your boarding pass) you can put those items back in. Definitely do this where Alitalia staff can't see you (the restroom's a good option), and don't go overboard: it's unlikely that you'd have to weigh it again, but if for some reason Alitalia staff had to lift it and realized that it was obviously overweight you'd be in a tight spot.

6. Consider wearing extra clothes for the "weighing in" ceremony. Afterwards, head to the restroom and put the extra clothes in the bag.

7. Do you like to shop for clothes? I often buy clothes when traveling, and once actually travelled (for business) to Toronto (when the exchange rate with the USD was favorable)with only the clothes on my back and a nearly empty suitcase. I bought my summer wardrobe that afternoon and wore some of my new clothes to give a lecture.

Therese

Oh, and the Scottevest comes in very handy for carrying the stuff that you'd normally have carried in your personal item. So no cramming a wallet, passport, sunglasses, etc. into the pockets of whatever garment you happen to be wearing, and the interior pockets are great for pickpocket-prone situations. The biggest problem with the Scottevest is that it can sometimes be difficult to figure out which pocket you've used for something---I once "lost" all my earrings for a day this way.

ekscrunchy

Yikes! There is no way I can go carry on if I cannot take my second (small Kipling back-pack-ish bag) into the cabin. MIne is a bit like this, but the little monkey skipped town at the Madrid airport and has not been seen since..

http://www.kipling-usa.com/product/i...ly&cid=1105601



Just to make things clear, I never use a hairdryer so that is out. Have never traveled with cell phone or laptop so do not need to fit those. Little, if any jewelry. Very few cosmetics--just small toothpaste, small shampoo, etc.

I do take guidebooks--usually at least two. And at least two reading books.

I could attempt to sneak the two bags on and hope for the best.....(??) Do I have a prayer? (I also take a small purse but perhaps can hide that in the backpack)

I am not sure that anyone has ever weighed my carry on bags..

tarquin

I must be the only one on this board who uses carryons without wheels. Before my ten day trip in May I bought a soft leather Longchamp suitcase, just under the maximum carryon size, which unzips all the way around. I pack as flat as possible with as few folds as possible and it holds ALOT of clothes. It is also very light as there is no wheel mechanism and only one internal pocket. It was expensive but so far I have saved about £50 in checked luggage fees, or that's my rationalisation anyway.

Of course, in my usual destination, Italy, wheels are a nuisance on cobbles and bridges.

greg

A while ago, someone mentioned a light weight wheeled luggage with frame outside, so there is more space inside. At that time, it was available only in Canada. I can't find the thread anymore. Anyone remembers the brand name?

Therese

"I could attempt to sneak the two bags on and hope for the best.....(??) Do I have a prayer? (I also take a small purse but perhaps can hide that in the backpack)

I am not sure that anyone has ever weighed my carry on bags.."

(a) It's very likely that your bag will be weighed, especially if you aren't checking anything.

(b) It's very likely that you would be caught trying to board with an extra bag.

I wouldn't advise either of these options. What is it about your Kipling bag that's so crucial?

ellenem

Greg, You're thinking of Tutto luggage
http://www.tutto.com/

Therese

"Of course, in my usual destination, Italy, wheels are a nuisance on cobbles and bridges."

But less of a nuisance (for me, anyway) than a sore back/neck/wrists. YMMV, but anybody with any sort of musculoskeletal issues needs to consider the potential downside of carrying a bag when rolling is an option.

Leely2

Are you flying coach or business? If business I wouldn't worry about it.

And I'd be surprised if anyone cared about your Kipling backpack unless you really overstuff it. But I've only flown Alitalia once.

In my hunt last spring for the perfect bag I saw some luggage I wanted to try, a wheelie that was very light and also "light footprint" (i.e. maybe made of recycled materials or something--can't recall). I decided I didn't want to spend that much but if you search on flyertalk, eks, you might find it. I spent a <i>lot</i> of time thinking about bags.

Good luck!

suze

The absolutely largest size carryon that can get on the most airlines is a 21". You might be able to be a 22" on, and a 19" is for sure.

You answered your own question in that each airline is slightly different, and every clerk on each flight may enforce their rules in a slightly different way. I've seen ridiculously too big bags allowed on planes, but I've also seen people forced to check what they anticipated carry-on at the last minute.

That's the problem. If you are at all larger or heavier than the rules you risk not being able to keep it with you. And you don't know until you're in the situation.

I'm not sure where the taking your backpack away, came into this conversation. MOST airlines allow the one carry on + one 'personal item'.

KYJudy

Eks, I researched and bought a lightweight Humvee Travel Vest fm Amazon(under $30), and I'm sure it will enable me to take only a carry-on bag for a month in Paris. It has a very large back pocket which will even hold my small notebook pc or a rain coat. The reviews on this particular cotton vest are almost all very good...many zippered pockets (safe fm pickpockets), vents, and side tabs for a better fit. One other plus is that it is not too long and will neither strangle me or bunch up when I sit down. Good luck.

ekscrunchy

You guys are great--thanks for being so supportive...

The entire subject just makes me crazy, I guess.

It is not that the Kipling bag itself is crucial. But when I check a bag, I usually carry a couple of books and my very small makeup collection in that bag. AND--I always take my own food along to avoid eating the airline meals!

The backpack is small and it never gets very stuffed..I usually take a t-shirt and bathing suit in case my bag gets lost but this time I would not have to do that--if I travel carry-on only..


Leely--Coach usually, and coach on this trip. A nightmare.

It is really crazy that all the airlines have different regs. So what size bags do you all check--should I be looking, then, at 21" bags? But will the wheels stick out and make it larger? I think I will have to buy this bag online so cannot bring my measuring tape.

cafegoddess

No ekscrunchy don't go to the other side.

Wheels, save your back.

Have a great trip!