Checking Luggage vs. Carrying on Bags
When to Check Suitcases and When to Carryon Luggage When Flying
Sep 16, 2009
Business travelers can spend hours deciding what to pack before flying. While the necessities should always be placed in a carryon bag, such as medications, sometimes what's in a larger suitcase can be crucial to a traveler's comfort during a flight – or a long delay. Here's how to decide whether to check a suitcase or carry it on the flight.
Advantages to Checking Baggage When Flying
There are many reasons to check luggage at the airport. Heavy bags can be difficult or inconvenient to carry through the airport terminal, especially when the departing gate is far from the entrance to the airport. In addition, once on board, it can be a hassle to heft a heavy bag up into the overhead bins, especially for passengers who are traveling alone, disabled or cannot lift their suitcase.
Second, checking baggage allows travelers to bring along more than one bag and, thus, pack more items. What's more, for those passengers who are traveling with more than one suitcase, checking some or all of the luggage can help to avoid having to struggling with carrying or wheeling several bags through the airport terminal.
Third, for passengers traveling alone, it can be inconvenient to have to keep track of baggage while passing through the airport. TSA requires that travelers keep their suitcases with them at all times, which means dragging luggage through the terminal every time a passenger wants to pick up a snack or use the restroom. Checking a bag means not having to worry about bringing a bag along everywhere a passenger goes in the airport terminal.
Advantages of Carrying On Luggage When Flying
There are several instances where it is advantageous to keep carryon bags rather than checking them. First, during a long layover (especially an unexpected one) having luggage handy can mean access to an extra change of clothes or other necessities, such as a sweater or a toothbrush. With a checked bag, all items packed inside will be inaccessible until it's picked up at the baggage claim area.
Second, keeping luggage from being checked allows travelers to pack important items and keep them safe and within reach. For example, travelers can pack medications, jewelry or other items in a carryon bag and stay with them at all times while traveling.
Third, checking baggage for flights is, in most cases, an added expense. Most airlines charge passengers traveling domestically a fee to check baggage. These fees vary from carrier to carrier. If checking baggage, be sure to research checked bag fees before leaving for the airport.
Finally, by avoiding checking baggage, travelers can consequently avoid having their luggage lost by the airlines. London based Air Transport Users Council released a study this year that showed more than 40,000,000 pieces of luggage were lost in transit during 2007, with more than a million permanently lost during that same year. The best way to avoid having luggage lost by the airlines is to carry it on board.
Carryon Bag Restrictions
When packing a bag to be carried on board, be mindful of the TSA restrictions for carryons – one carryon bag and one personal item. Personal items include purses, briefcases, food containers, laptops (case included), camera cases, and diaper bags. Any additional items must be checked.
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