andy

just flew home last nite from Palm Beach- US AIR had a sign posted that there was a $25 charge for overweight luggage..


We always weigh our luggage before flying and keep to the 50 lb max..and also carry a "carry on wheelie" for added goodies..

All the airlines have the weight, measurments and cost for overages on their websites...a good thing to do prior to flying would be look it up...

Minouche

We flew on Continental last week and had to pay the $25 overweight fee...we have already checked NW (for our flight back) and they also have the same policy.

carrolldf

Keith, I checked Delta's website and see no mention of a weight limit for carry ons so I'm guessing this is not an issue at this time. However, stay tuned -- it could change at any time as so many things have in the last couple of years.

Judy24

We, too, have been hit by the newer restrictions. Continental seems to be enforcing the rules. When we flew earlier this year, we thought we were doing such a good thing by managing to fit everything into one suitcase per person, so we were naturally surprised to be told we'd be charged $25 because one suitcase was 53 lbs. The good news was that the other case was only 46, so we simply did a little reshuffling, and learned our lesson. Next time we deliberately took two cases per person and had no problem. But I have two thoughts: We had recently purchased the newer suitcases with the wheels and the handle that collapses into the case. I think that makes the suitcases even heavier to begin with, but I guess that's the compromise you make for convenience. Also, I assume there could be a potential problem if you are traveling on a tour, where they often limit you to one suitcase, due to their space restrictions on the bus.

JackOneill

the answer to all of this (and I say this with tongue in cheek) is to pack less.

GoTravel

What are the newer suitcases with collapsing handles?

Gretchen

The handles that pull up so you can pull them.

caribtraveler

i just bought this fabulous ralph lauren luggage set.
the handles can be pushed down into the case. there's a zipper that you can then close over the handle, and tata..handles can't be seen. when you're ready to wheel your luggage, you unzip and pull out the handle. LOVE IT.

GoTravel

I thought they were talking about some sort of new luggage! I've been dragging around pullmans for over 10 years!

afotogal

There is a weight limit, not just size to carry-on; check with each airline to see what it is. I know it varies.

As a photographer, who travels with a lot of heavy and expensive gear, that I always insist on as carry-on - it has gotten very tricky in packing to keep the carry-on weight to the guidelines. Yes my carry-on luggage has been weighed several times - each time it was over and I rearranged things to make it work. Also when I ask if they want to be responsible if a very expensive piece of camera gear goes missing, they sort of work it out.

The rest of my luggage is usually very light-a small wheeled bag, as I have learned to go with the minimum amount of clothes, get by with it or do some laundry somewhere - which is by the way a great place to meet folks.

Also, pack an efficient expandable tote to bring home the souveniers. It's also a great way to split up the weight.

Hope this helps.

I do wish the airlines would figure it out, get some consistency and help out some of the professionals, such as myself, who travel with expensive gear that must go as carry-on - otherwise it rarely makes it to our destination.

Seems camera and computer gear goes missing quite often. I am confused as to how those items always want to go astray.

Tandoori_Girl

I work with photographers and we've had a lot of excess baggage charges over the years. Before 9-11 we would give the skycabs big tips and everything would get onto the plane. But we often had damaged gear, this stuff is very fragile).

After 9-11, I've had to pay as much as the cost of an entire ticket, or even more, for excess baggage. Sometimes I've shipped equipment as a way to get around the charges, but that's only if I don't need it immeditately, which doesn't happen often.

It's a lose-lose situation, the cost of doing business.

Orcas

We flew American today and had one overweight suitcase. The woman at check-in allowed us to reload our bags so none were over the weight limit.

We had a great flight. Love that leg room on American! I hear they are thinking of shrinking the distance between the seats. That will be a sorry day for those of us who have legs!

MikeTravels

NorthWest does not allow more weight for first class passengers on domestic trips (50 pounds for all). The only time first class gets more weight is between two destinations outside the US (66 lbs vs 44). US to International travel is generally 70 pounds.

Carryons do have a weight limit. For USAir and Northwest (and most everyone else) your two carryons together can not weigh more than 40 pounds. In practice, they rarely have a chance to weigh your carryons, so you will probably get away with whatever you can carry.