Personal Item: Underseater vs. Regular Carry-on

[YG]

From the poking around I have done, It seems that 22" x 14" x 9" is a relatively universal standard for official carry-on size allowance, but that for personal items there is substantially more variation mostly ranging 17"-18.5" x 10"-14" x 7"-9".

Are personal item sizes frequently enforced?

Would it be relatively safe to make it to the gate with two carry-on size bags, one spinner and one duffel-style sitting atop the spinner?
Or would there be a reasonable risk that one of them would need to be checked at the counter?

Practically, the difference is whether I need to look specifically for an "underseater" spinner or if I can look for a regular carry-on spinner to go with my 22" x 12.5" x 9" suiter duffel.

For context, the primary concern is for domestic travel where time is of the essence and checking a bag at the counter is highly undesirable because of the wait to collect it at the destination...

[moko]

From the poking around I have done, It seems that 22" x 14" x 9" is a relatively universal standard for official carry-on size allowance, but that for personal items there is substantially more variation mostly ranging 17"-18.5" x 10"-14" x 7"-9".

Are personal item sizes frequently enforced?

I ask because many products that exceed these dimension are labelled as underseat bags by some of the bigger companies that are generally keep their carry ons within the limits.

Would it be relatively safe to take two carry-on size bags, one spinner and one duffel-style sitting atop the spinner?
Or would there be a reasonable risk that one of them would need to be checked?

Practically, the difference is whether I need to look specifically for an "underseater" spinner or if I can look for a regular carry-on spinner to go with my 22" x 12.5" x 9" suiter duffel.

For context, the primary concern is for domestic travel where time is of the essence and checking a bag is highly undesirable because of the wait to collect it at the destination...

many gate agents automatically assume anything with wheels is too big.
While the difference may be a big deal of you have to pay for a carry-on, there's no big difference for me
 The gate agent will tag it and when I board I just tell the flight attendant that I know from experience it will fit. (145s and 200s)

[YG]

many gate agents automatically assume anything with wheels is too big.
While the difference may be a big deal of you have to pay for a carry-on, there's no big difference for me
 The gate agent will tag it and when I board I just tell the flight attendant that I know from experience it will fit. (145s and 200s)

Thanks!!

As long as I can count on reliably being able to make it to the gate with two carry-on size pieces, I don’t mind if one gets gate checked.

I don’t even mind that much if I have to pay a little extra for it, I just don’t want to have to check it as a piece of luggage at the counter because I don’t want to have to wait at the carousel.

I updated the original post to reflect this more clearly…

Would you say that I’m relatively likely to make it to the gate with 2 22” x 14” x 9” pieces…?

[yfr bachur]

this very much depends on the baggage policies of the particular airline, and the alertness of the gate staff.
Unless you want to pay (at the gate) the price af a checked bag, I wouldn't try this, especially on a LCC.

[MeirS]

Thanks!!

As long as I can count on reliably being able to make it to the gate with two carry-on size pieces, I don’t mind if one gets gate checked.

I don’t even mind that much if I have to pay a little extra for it, I just don’t want to have to check it as a piece of luggage at the counter because I don’t want to have to wait at the carousel.

I updated the original post to reflect this more clearly…

Would you say that I’m relatively likely to make it to the gate with 2 22” x 14” x 9” pieces…?

In today's day and age, with most domestic airlines, gate checked baggage is collected at the carousel.

[YG]

this very much depends on the baggage policies of the particular airline, and the alertness of the gate staff.
Unless you want to pay (at the gate) the price af a checked bag, I wouldn't try this, especially on a LCC.

Thank you.

I obviously prefer not having to pay the $30 fee for a checked bag if I have the choice, but avoiding that fee is not a priority for me in choosing which piece of luggage to buy. I would rather a bag that is a little bigger and gives me a little more packing space even if it carries a risk that I may have to pay $30 at the gate some of the times I travel.

The thing that is a priority for me is to avoid having to have to wait at the carousel to collect the baggage, so it is important to me to avoid having to check one of the bags at the counter, and I would choose a smaller carry on if it is necessary to avoid having to check a bag at the counter and then wait at the carousel.

If I may have to check it at the gate and pay the fee that is not something I would consider in choosing the piece of luggage I buy, because a gate checked bag will be waiting for me at the door of the plane when I get off, or worst case scenario I will need to wait a few minutes, but that doesn't take very long.

[YG]

In today's day and age, with most domestic airlines, gate checked baggage is collected at the carousel.

OH!!
That changes things . . .

It has been a while since I had to gate-check a bag, but I am looking forward to increased domestic travel for work and this is very good to know (although very disappointing).

Thank you!!

[MeirS]

OH!!
That changes things . . .

It has been a while since I had to gate-check a bag, but I am looking forward to increased domestic travel for work and this is very good to know (although very disappointing).

Thank you!!

I'll let others chime in but that has been my experience.
They now have the technology to print regular baggage tags at the gate.
Unless you can convince them it's a stroller, car seat or wheelchair, in which case you'll get a pink tag to be returned at the gate...

[yfr bachur]

The last time i flew (INT) I gate cheked two bags. One was returned at the carosel, the other delivered to my house three days later...

[YG]

The last time i flew (INT) I gate cheked two bags. One was returned at the carosel, the other delivered to my house three days later...

OUCH!!

Sounds like it would be wise for me to get a proper underseater….

[moko]

In today's day and age, with most domestic airlines, gate checked baggage is collected at the carousel.

-.05
Generally true when they check bags due to lack of space.
When they check bags on regionals that dont fit standard carry-ons, they are usually picked on the jet bridge. At least that my experience.

[moko]

OUCH!!

Sounds like it would be wise for me to get a proper underseater….

I have this one and I love it. I bought it a couple years ago for $59.99. looks.like it's almost double now.
I use it every day.





So fae the only planes I've had to check it on were Technam Traveler, 208 Caravan, Cessna 402, Pilatus PC-12, and a Kingair.
Otherwise I've never checked it

[yelped]

So fae the only planes I've had to check it on were Technam Traveler, 208 Caravan, Cessna 402, Pilatus PC-12, and a Kingair.
Otherwise I've never checked it

"Tell me you're a Mashgiach without telling me you're a Mashgiach". 

Thank you for your service!!!

[grodnoking]

"Tell me you're a Mashgiach without telling me you're a Mashgiach". 

Thank you for your service!!!

He's told us he's a mashkiach.

[PlatinumGuy]

Policies make little difference. All depends on individual GAs.

[YG]

I have this one and I love it. I bought it a couple years ago for $59.99. looks.like it's almost double now.
I use it every day.
So fae the only planes I've had to check it on were Technam Traveler, 208 Caravan, Cessna 402, Pilatus PC-12, and a Kingair.
Otherwise I've never checked it

Thank you!!
Ill check it out…

[moko]

"Tell me you're a Mashgiach without telling me you're a Mashgiach". 

Thank you for your service!!!

Oh, most kashrus people don't end up on these planes. It's the avgeek