Question on Checked Luggage size ?

[74-911]

Wife has decided we need to replace our rather beat up luggage. Airlines size restriction is "62" (L+W+H) including wheels. I know there are lots of frequent flyers here so: How picky are the airlines (we fly SouthWest the most) on this size limit. I notice many of the common larger hard side spinners measure 65".
I know they check weights closely but how about physical dimensions ?

[ckelly78z]

We bought some that fit into the 62" limit, and didn't want surprise over charges at the gate for 1 pc of luggage....trying to keep the stress down by abiding by the rules.

We took a tape measure to shop for luggage, and didn't trust the listed sizes.

[David]

I just wouldn't want to carry around a bag that large. We travel for weeks at a time out of a medium checked bag.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by 74-911

Wife has decided we need to replace our rather beat up luggage. Airlines size restriction is "62" (L+W+H) including wheels. I know there are lots of frequent flyers here so: How picky are the airlines (we fly SouthWest the most) on this size limit. I notice many of the common larger hard side spinners measure 65".
I know they check weights closely but how about physical dimensions ?

We had a 26 inch hard case spinner that would hold both of our clothes, but would easily go over 50 pounds almost every time. Unfortunately, the airlines won't let 2 people bring on a single bag weighing 60 pounds, but they'll happily let 2 people bring 2 bags weighting 45 pounds each. Stupid. It was also a pain to deal with in any sort of real environment (lines, escalators, bumps in the roads, etc)

We changed to a pair of 20 inch spinners, which hold about the same total amount of actual stuff, and are easier to deal with overall.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

We bought some that fit into the 62" limit, and didn't want surprise over charges at the gate for 1 pc of luggage....trying to keep the stress down by abiding by the rules.

We took a tape measure to shop for luggage, and didn't trust the listed sizes.

Good advice!

All low cost European carriers charge a huge amount for over sized luggage checked in at the gate, it's have they make a lot of their money

[rattlsnak]

Spinner bags usually have to be smaller on the inside (shorter = less internal room) to fit in both the overheads and meet the 62" rule because of the tall wheel setups.. Geez.. those things look SO ridiculous.. lol...

[Fischer_76_911S]

Every time I fly commercial, not often, the baggage weight rule really gets me. Traveling with a wife and teen daughter that have a hard time keeping it under 50 pounds, and getting socked with a surcharge sometimes, I usually think to myself- if being 5 pounds over is so detrimental to their operation, why don’t they charge the fat asses a surcharge? After all, my body’s 165 pounds PLUS my suitcase is less weight than a lot of people boarding the plane. My daughter weighs a whopping 110 pounds, but your going to charge us extra because her suitcase is 3 pounds over? Why don’t they surcharge the obese? How about you and your bag step on a scale, anything over XX amount and the fees start rolling. Too fat to sit in our demo seat (like a roller coaster display while you’re in line), then bam- You get to buy two seats.

My politically incorrect, but sometimes realistic and true view of rules and regs...

[cstreit]

Generally speaking for checked luggage they aren't super picky. ...but you should be prepared to pay the surcharge occasionally for the privilege.

[Gus Berges]

I started traveling heavily (100-150K miles per year) nearly 25 years ago and stopped doing so nearly 5 years ago and not once did I pay for excess luggage, but I figure it had to do with my premier status. That said, I've never had the need to fit more stuff than 50lbs in a 62" bag. I did once bubble wrap a mountain bike frame (large) and on another "wrap" the two wheels (26") and claimed those two packages as my two bags. No issues then either.

I'd stick to carry on only and make it work that way. Much faster to get to your final destination (no need to wait for bags that will eventually be ruined by careless baggage handlers). You would be amazed what you can fit in a bag if you carefully pack and wear the larger items that you will use on your trip. An additional backpack goes a long way too.

[Laneco]

Heavy luggage is hard to handle and there is always some person involved with the lifting and shoving. So there is a weight limit.

By the way, for those of us who are talented enough to pack a bag without a scale repeated to 49.9 pounds... I assure you that your luggage will be handled like a 3rd string quarterback in the superbowl.... I believe I've replaced 3 suitcases in the past year. One was an old suitcase...the next was less than 3 months old and the 3rd was the one the airline sent me as a replacement for the second one....

angela

[petrolhead611]

Wow Angela, suitcase with cupholder I think you've hit on something there but a refinement might be to have the top of the cup facing upwards

[PorscheGAL]

Originally Posted by Laneco

Heavy luggage is hard to handle and there is always some person involved with the lifting and shoving. So there is a weight limit.

By the way, for those of us who are talented enough to pack a bag without a scale repeated to 49.9 pounds... I assure you that your luggage will be handled like a 3rd string quarterback in the superbowl.... I believe I've replaced 3 suitcases in the past year. One was an old suitcase...the next was less than 3 months old and the 3rd was the one the airline sent me as a replacement for the second one....

angela

I had that same thing happen on a bag that only weighed 30lbs. After that I decided no more hard sides and I did start upgrading my luggage to Briggs and Riley. They are expensive but the number of cheaper bags that have ruined after 1 trip are too many to count. Briggs and Riley have a lifetime warranty. If the bag gets damaged, I send it to them and they repair or replace. So far, the bags have traveled to Hong Kong, Thailand, China, and several domestic flights with no problems. I love that there is a place to put clothes on hangers in most bags and they are expandable so If I buy something on a trip, it will fit.

[WPOZZZ]

Jeebus, those really are some gorillas handling the luggage. The gf's sister and nephew are flying in on Monday for the holidays. She said if she puts a bag in the overhead compartment, it is $60. Checked luggage, $180! That is for a $1200 rt fare on United!

[Ayles]

Try traveling with a selection of bowling balls! I fly with three balls once a year and its a huge hassle. But since they are sporting equipment you can get a waiver so its usually free or $25. Though most baggage check agents aren't familiar with the rules.