Why do they make carry ons larger than airlines allow?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We never travel carryon to Europe. We mostly fly places with direct flights though. Even in the US we usually check a few bags. I think the love of carryons is very overrated.

Op here.

I totally agree but I’m worried about losing checked luggage. We are flying nonstop Montreal to Rome outbound, but I’m still worried.

I don't know about Air Canada, but in my experience with flying US domestic carriers overseas (even when they code share with Air France, etc) they will let you on with a US sized carry on on the way to Europe. On the way back, you're likely to get flagged even before you go through security and forced to check your bag. That actually works fine, because I'm not as worried about my bags getting delayed on the way home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IME the international flights are more strict about carryon sizes than domestic.

Also depends on the cabin. I've never seen a full bin in international business or first class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We never travel carryon to Europe. We mostly fly places with direct flights though. Even in the US we usually check a few bags. I think the love of carryons is very overrated.

Op here.

I totally agree but I’m worried about losing checked luggage. We are flying nonstop Montreal to Rome outbound, but I’m still worried.

I don't know about Air Canada, but in my experience with flying US domestic carriers overseas (even when they code share with Air France, etc) they will let you on with a US sized carry on on the way to Europe. On the way back, you're likely to get flagged even before you go through security and forced to check your bag. That actually works fine, because I'm not as worried about my bags getting delayed on the way home.

I worry when I don't have a direct flight home. The chances of your bags going a different way increases significantly. The advantage when bags go astray is you are home and have things to wear, disadvantage is you hope your bags are found.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IME the international flights are more strict about carryon sizes than domestic.

Also depends on the cabin. I've never seen a full bin in international business or first class.

So are people flying international business or first class someone less likely to have their bags not make it to their destination? I have also noticed this that few in these cabins have carryons aside from a personal item. But I do wonder what magic they have to keep bags from getting lost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We never travel carryon to Europe. We mostly fly places with direct flights though. Even in the US we usually check a few bags. I think the love of carryons is very overrated.

Op here.

I totally agree but I’m worried about losing checked luggage. We are flying nonstop Montreal to Rome outbound, but I’m still worried.

I don't know about Air Canada, but in my experience with flying US domestic carriers overseas (even when they code share with Air France, etc) they will let you on with a US sized carry on on the way to Europe. On the way back, you're likely to get flagged even before you go through security and forced to check your bag. That actually works fine, because I'm not as worried about my bags getting delayed on the way home.

Yes, and depends on the airport IME. At CDG our carry-ons that had been on many flights perfectly fine were sized at security, and one that was maybe an inch over was rejected. Before any interaction with the airline. At GVA and LHR we had no issues.

[Anonymous]

I had an unusual situation where I had to buy a carry-on for a flight in the evening for travel the next day while on vacation so my only choice was the nearby mall. I went to Nordstrom and they were selling Hershel or Tumi. I liked the Hershels but the dimensions were slightly too big for both domestic or international flights. So I had the same response as you, OP, why sell these? I bought the Tumi even though it was about ten times as expensive.

[Anonymous]

There are 2 sizes of carry on, domestic and international. International is smaller.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had an unusual situation where I had to buy a carry-on for a flight in the evening for travel the next day while on vacation so my only choice was the nearby mall. I went to Nordstrom and they were selling Hershel or Tumi. I liked the Hershels but the dimensions were slightly too big for both domestic or international flights. So I had the same response as you, OP, why sell these? I bought the Tumi even though it was about ten times as expensive.

The reason they sell the ones that are a bit too big even for domestic flights, is essentially a marketing thing, so they can add the wheels but still say it's "carry on size", and you won't check the fine print for the actual full dimensions. It's helped because in the US, mainline airlines use the sizer very very infrequently- ground crew are in too big a rush to get the plane boarded and door closed to slow things down. And the modern overhead bins are actually sized to allow the bags with slightly larger dimensions. So yes 22 inches may be the max height in theory, but anything under 24 is never going to get flagged in most US flights.

[Anonymous]

Carry on space is sometimes strict because of the size of the overhead compartments, not because the airline is trying to inconvenience you.

AC is pretty good, but as they’re Star Alliance, you’re also bound by the plane and hosting airline.

And, FWIW, one of the problems with carry on these days is everyone is trying to exceed the limits. Check a bag if you have to, but make sure you have your basics and a change of clothes for everyone in a legitimate carry on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not about not looking boring. It's about wearing clean clothes. Please wear (relatively) clean clothes when traveling. Not just a different scarf. Please.

What? There is more than just that the one place in your house for clothes to be washed.

Why does it matter to you? I am wearing clean clothes,merino wool is amazing that way. I don't smell, my clothes aren't wrinkled. Why should it matter to you if I re-wear my clothes? Are you traveling with me? Didn't think so.

You're responding to the wrong PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We travel for 2-3 weeks every summer as a family to a different location (ranging from Yellowstone to Europe to Alaska), and each take a carry-on wheelie and a backpack each, no problem. Yes, we do laundry, but this is an American problem: we buy too much stuff and we pack too much stuff. You do not need an entirely new outfit everyday (yes to new/clean socks and underwear every day), but jeans, black pants, navy pants, etc can be worn more than once

Ever been to Italy in the summer?

You need fresh clothing.

Yes, I often travel to Italy in the summer. My family of 3 can do 10-14 days with a carry on and a backpack each and make it work without being smelly, and my DH is a sweaty guy. I take a travel steamer with me always, wash some things in the sink, and can't stand being encumbered by lots of luggage when traveling to/fro in airports, train stations and the like.

[Anonymous]

Op here:

Per Air Canada, they limit it to these (ridiculously small) dimensions:

21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches

Only my kid’s child size roller bag (just barely) meets the requirements.

WTH?

We might just check our luggage and risk it rather than buy all new carryons.

Our Samsonite and Travel Pros are an inch or two bigger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here:

Per Air Canada, they limit it to these (ridiculously small) dimensions:

21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches

Only my kid’s child size roller bag (just barely) meets the requirements.

WTH?

We might just check our luggage and risk it rather than buy all new carryons.

Our Samsonite and Travel Pros are an inch or two bigger.

Why not bring everyone a backpack as well as your child's carryon on the plane. Put a couple days of clothes for each person plus personal grooming items in those. Have one checked bag of overflow stuff that won't fit in the carryons. This is what I would do and probably will do when we go to England/France next year. You can get an airtag for the checked bag if you are worried. But it will mostly likely be fine.

[Anonymous]

If they are bigger than the airlines allow then they aren’t carryons. They are meant to be checked bags.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here:

Per Air Canada, they limit it to these (ridiculously small) dimensions:

21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches

Only my kid’s child size roller bag (just barely) meets the requirements.

WTH?

We might just check our luggage and risk it rather than buy all new carryons.

Our Samsonite and Travel Pros are an inch or two bigger.

Why not bring everyone a backpack as well as your child's carryon on the plane. Put a couple days of clothes for each person plus personal grooming items in those. Have one checked bag of overflow stuff that won't fit in the carryons. This is what I would do and probably will do when we go to England/France next year. You can get an airtag for the checked bag if you are worried. But it will mostly likely be fine.

Everyone already planned to bring a backpack and a roller bag carryon, but Air Canada basically just allows an abnormally small roller bag and a purse. So I guess we will just bring backpacks and then check our usual big luggage. Now I’m worried they’ll consider our XL LL Bean rolling duffel bags as oversized.

We never have these issues flying on American Airlines or United—even when flying out of the country.

Just out of curiosity, how tall is everyone’s roller bag carry on? I guarantee it’s bigger than 21.5 and it’s never an issue flying a mainstream American airline.