Anonymous wrote:Always. I find it way more stressful to deal with trying to pack too lightly and then dealing with everyone else’s carry-ons that they’re jockeying for position and space to stow. Anyway, I only take a backpack in board and put it under the seat, leaving more room for your carry on. You’re welcome

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any trip longer than 3 days, I’m checking a bigger bag.

People really over estimate how long baggage claim takes. It’s really not a big deal 90% of the time.

I do pack some essentials in a carry on if I’m going somewhere I’d be devastated not to have something. Ex: I feel to Greece and put a change of clothes and a bathing suit in my carryon. Which was good bc my bag got lost at JFK. Showed up 2 days in, which was fine. But I didn’t want to waste my time trolling stores or shopping.

People in here acting like it's a 6 hour wait. Do you also only fly nonstop because waiting for a layover is a waste of time?

Yup! Nonstop only unless there is no nonstop option.

Almost never. Never on the way to (unless I am forced to check at the gate by the airline) and very rarely on the way back. I pack lightly and don't bring more than 1 or 2 nice outfits.

My husband, on the other hand, almost always checks a bag because almost all of his trips are to some extent related to his work which means extra clothes and equipment. So I am hanging out with him by the baggage area.

Anonymous wrote:Any trip longer than 3 days, I’m checking a bigger bag.

People really over estimate how long baggage claim takes. It’s really not a big deal 90% of the time.

I do pack some essentials in a carry on if I’m going somewhere I’d be devastated not to have something. Ex: I feel to Greece and put a change of clothes and a bathing suit in my carryon. Which was good bc my bag got lost at JFK. Showed up 2 days in, which was fine. But I didn’t want to waste my time trolling stores or shopping.

People in here acting like it's a 6 hour wait. Do you also only fly nonstop because waiting for a layover is a waste of time?

I check a bag on the last non stop flight home.

I always check a bag. On the rare occasion I have to pay the small fee it is worth it to not drag the thing through security and fight for overhead space.

Also, if you have a bigger body you have to use a bigger suitcase. My DH has size 15 shoes. They take up almost half a carryon suitcase. He’s also 6’5” so he’s not going to be able to pack as much as a size 2 petite woman.

People act like it’s a virtue to use a backpack for a week. Um ok? i check when I need to, and make sure I’ve budgeted for that. No shame, no guilt.

Any trip longer than 3 days, I’m checking a bigger bag.

People really over estimate how long baggage claim takes. It’s really not a big deal 90% of the time.

I do pack some essentials in a carry on if I’m going somewhere I’d be devastated not to have something. Ex: I feel to Greece and put a change of clothes and a bathing suit in my carryon. Which was good bc my bag got lost at JFK. Showed up 2 days in, which was fine. But I didn’t want to waste my time trolling stores or shopping.

It is free for us so we generally always do.

Honestly I mostly prefer it also because it makes packing less stressful (liquids in particular), I hate schlepping bags through airports, love not worrying the least bit about bin space (our carry-on backpacks don’t need to be overhead), security is faster (even though we have Clear still less likely to have random checks or whatnot), and lastly it is not unusual we bring home items best checked (bottles of wine, vinegar, oil, etc.).

Yes there are inconveniences like waiting for baggage claim or less flexibility (honestly with increasing status this is less an issue) but on balance still prefer to check. We do often keep maybe one change of clothes in a carryon just in case.

Anonymous wrote:We always check when doing a caribbean vacation. Not bothering trying to put a weeks with of sunscreen for 3 people into carry ons and don't see the point of paying for them there (we generally get free checked bags so its not like the price cancels out)

I don’t think most if any of us avoid checking bags because of the cost, it’s because of the convenience of being able to walk off the plane directly and not worry your stuff didn’t make it with you.

We usually drive to ski, but if I were to fly to a ski destination, I’d likely pack at least one bag with snow bibs and boots etc.

Otherwise we are a strictly carry on only family and have been for years. We almost always have laundry services on site or pay for them mid trip.

If I'm staying in a rental house for longer than a week, there's often a bunch of stuff I like to have on hand that I wouldn't take for a shorter trip or a more moving-around trip.

So far, I've never had a bag go missing, but like a previous poster, I might reconsider ever checking a bag if i had one lost.

We fly mostly nonstop on SW and always check bags.

We always check bags. We’re always flying as a family for a week or more, and just need more things.

First Class/Business on nonstops for trips over 3-4days