Flying United tomorrow, need help with carry on Q

[mudman]

Their website says:

Carry-on baggage for worldwide travel
For worldwide travel on United (including travel within the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada), you may carry on one bag and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase or laptop computer. Your carry-on bag
must fit under your seat or in the overhead bin;
should not be more than 9 x 14 x 22 in. (23 x 35 x 56 cm) (length x width x height) or 45 linear inches* (114 linear cm); and
may be required to travel as checked baggage if the bag cannot be safely stowed on a particular flight.

So what counts as a briefcase? Can it be a small bag? I'm away for 5 days but not checking any luggage. Any other travel tips appreciated, I don't fly that often.

Thanks!

[gassy]

You can bring your briefcase--(it could be a bag) and another small bag like a duffel or something. Briefcase under your seat, small bag in overhead.

[widgeon13]

I was in Europe a month ago and CA last week and it seems that a carry-on bag is OK as long as it fits in the overhead and briefcase (I carried a backpack) is OK as well. They seem to be more concerned about folks traveling with more than 2 bags and then making you check one. People think if it has wheels they could bring a trunk. I'll get a rant on this but women carry a briefcase, handbag and big wheeled case, most can't put in the overhead and they are clamping down on that stuff lately.

I don't use wheeled luggage. It's part of the problem airlines have created and now have to deal with, my belief is that they should only be allowed for handicapped. It's just a rational for loading more **** than on can lift.

Before I retired, I would travel with a briefcase and carry-on for a week in Europe and have no problems, packing w/o taking anything extra is the key. If necessary you can have a suit or shirt cleaned at the hotel.

[mudman]

Staying at a garage/cabin in Manson, WA. Will be laboring all day and can wear clothes day after day as long as I stay dry, I just have to have clothes to go to a bar and wineries as per client who wants me to meet some people.

Sounds like I'll be fine if I can get over my need for extra footwear.

[mudman]

Oh, and as my username implies I get dirty fast. Faster if there is mud.

I'll find out if there are washer/driers available.

[Seahawk]

You can mail stuff that is light-weight yet bulky (shoes). I do it all the time if I am staying for a week or so.

Travel tip. Buy or borrow noise canceling headphones.

[JavaBrewer]

I travel (a lot) with a simple school type backpack for my laptop, notepad, etc... and a wheeled Costco bag that fits in the overhead. The roll aboard bag is 24" tall when on it's wheels and fits in all the Boeing and Airbus overhead compartments (wheels first). Two weeks to Asia using this configuration is no problem. The backpack goes under the seat in front. When you spend a lot of time traveling the wheel bags are very nice. Put your gels and lotions in a clear zip lock bag and have it ready for the security check.

I can't remember the last time I checked a bag. Makes it tons easier getting in/out of airports and getting on those last minute flight changes.

[Joeaksa]

If you are going overseas, especially some parts of Europe (Switzerland is the worst) they will weigh your carry-on bags, so be carefrul there.

Which class are you flying in? First or business class gives you more latitude than "flying steerage" where they follow the rules. Also if you are a frequent flier they will look the other way if you bring a heavy bag as a carry-on in some places.

I used to fly overseas all the time and carried a small cordura briefcase with reading materials and passport, then a tote bag with my laptop and other important stuff inside. All jewlery, money, paperwork, medicine and so on ALWAYS goes with me and is never checked below.

[MFAFF]

Recent trip overseas to Hong Kong.. had a Patagonia Maximum Cabin Luggage (wheelie back pack)http://www.patagonia.com/web/eu/product/product_focus.jsp?OPTION=PRODUCT_FOCUS_DISPLAY_HAN DLER&catcode=MAIN_FA_EU.CLOTHING_GEAR.PACKS/TRAVEL_GEAR.WHEELED/DUFFEL_BAGS&style_color=49111-689&ws=

... as carry on.. with Netbook sized 'brief case' as well...
Week long stay.

Not problem with either in the cabin (steerage in A340 and B747).

[Gogar]

Your "Personal Item" can pretty much be ANYTHING, as long as you can get it under your seat. Another small bag or a backpack or something would be just fine.

[mudman]

My friend just brought over a proper carry on bag, and I've got a backpack so I think I'm all set.

Now if I could find a way to pack my site level tripod and favorite shovel...

[Pazuzu]

Why don't people check stuff anymore?

I check everything, because (1) I don't like to drag it around everywhere and (2) I can put anything I want (pocket knife, shampoo, nailclippers) in it and not sweat security.

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Why don't people check stuff anymore?

I check everything, because (1) I don't like to drag it around everywhere and (2) I can put anything I want (pocket knife, shampoo, nailclippers) in it and not sweat security.

because you can run out the airport without waiting for the bagage handlers to deliver your bags... that is, if they don't loose em.

[Rick V]

Recently, I had an issue with my carry on not fitting in the overhead of a small plane. (Puddle jumper on a 3 layover trip) I removed my laptop and put it under the seat and the soft carry-on in the overhead. Worked well.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Why don't people check stuff anymore?

I check everything, because (1) I don't like to drag it around everywhere and (2) I can put anything I want (pocket knife, shampoo, nailclippers) in it and not sweat security.

Because people who do this for a living know that eventually its going to get stolen if you check something valuable. We are not talking about shampoo here...

http://cbs2.com/local/Airport.Luggage.Thefts.2.858482.html

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/northwest_luggage.html

If you want it, carry it with you. If its too heavy or illegal to carry in the cabin, FedEx it, otherwise it WILL get stolen by the baggage handlers eventually.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Why don't people check stuff anymore?

I check everything, because (1) I don't like to drag it around everywhere and (2) I can put anything I want (pocket knife, shampoo, nailclippers) in it and not sweat security.

I learned my lesson many years ago when I had a high dollar, cast fitted, knee brace sent to ???. Took me three days to get it back, fortunately it was on my trip back home and then it hit me...boy, it'd sure suck to go somewhere and not have your luggage for the duration of your stay. Now I do it for convenience mostly, but even if I do check, I take a small carry on with the essentials to last a day or so.