To OliveOyl,

Yes, we have a VERY special occassion. \/ DH and I just became Grandparents for the VERY first time last month. This trip will be our first time seeing our Grandson. Our motorhome is just getting to old to make a couple cross country trips (over 5,000 miles round trip) a year so we will be doing a lot more flying.

Don't worry the motorhome won't be retired. We have a 2 week trip planned for UTAH!

Utahtea

Congratulations, Utahtea! How exciting for you! Yes that is a special event. Have a wonderful trip. Motorhome will be waiting for your return, but this event may be the start of new journeys and explorations in new regions. There's going to be a pretty strong draw back toward that little grandson! Congrats.

Yes Howard, that is my opinion, and opinions are exactly what Alfredo is soliciting on this site where travelers post their opinions.

And I beleive it to be a very, very reasonable opinion. Alfredo indicates that they are going for a weekend. It's going to be 100 degrees. How many clothes does she need?

But you're right, it's up to her (though if I were Alfredo, I'd make her drag that big suitcase herself - might teach her to pack lighter).

my opinion is: do whatever you want.

But as an addendum, I'll add: I'd really appreciate people who'd consider using checked baggage rather than try to stuff way too much into larger-than-allowed carry-ons, then, when trying to hoist the son-of-a-gun into the overhead compartment nearly decapitate the person in front of them. that's all I'm saying.
Some people obsess about lightening their load so much, they saw off the end of their toothbrush. I'm not one of them.

If everything goes smoothly, then checking a bag won't cost you more than an extra 30 mins.

Now...what do you think the chances are of everything going smoothly? Somewhere around 50% for me lately. If you have connecting flights the danger of arriving bagless is greater. Also, unexpectedly long lines at the ticket counter have the potentional to make you miss your flight.

I agree that you shouldn't need that many clothes in Vegas in summer. Tell your wife she can always buy something if she runs out of stuff to wear. If she's worried about room to bring home purchases, she can always have them shipped.

Remember, you both get a carry on and a "personnal item". For her personnal item she should take the biggest tote-type purse she owns. She can pack her cosmetics in there, along with reading material for the plane, and any little evening purse she needs. Also, you could take a briefcase-type bag for some extra room. Also, you could offer up some of the space in your bag for her stuff.

Does it sound like i've been there before?

P.S. if anyone reading this has any experience carrying tools on a plane, please chime in. We are going biking next week and need to take chain tools, allen wrenches, mini-pumps, etc.

Brian, my point is that there really is no right or wrong answer! If Alfredo's wife wants to take a suitcase that it too large to be carried on the plane and thus she has to check it, so be it.
Checking luggage isn't the anathema to me that it seems to be to some posters.

What a nice, friendly thread this is! On the last "carry on" thread to which I responded, someone wanted to rip off my head when I proclaimed the absolute joy of carrying on. We only did it for the first time a couple of months ago for a 4 day trip to Vegas, and it was great. No waiting, just take your stuff & go get your car. And for anyone who's ever had luggage lost, no anxiety when you're the last piece off the plane - or worse yet, the lost piece! The majority of respondents to that thread called us "carry-oners" greedy! After all, what is the overhead space for? Carry ons, that's what!