Is Your Carry-On Bag REALLY Carry-On?

17/2/2013

Would you be ready to have your carry-on bag weighed and measured at the airport?

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Measuring a carry on bag for airport inspection

How does your carrry-on bag measure up?

A probable disaster...

Do you think you're an organized and prepared traveler? Consider the following scenario and imagine how you would fare.

It's late at night and you’re in Belgium. In just a few hours, you'll be flying to Bangkok via Istanbul, where you’ll have a 12 hour layover to go enjoy the city. You'll be in Bangkok for just under 24 hours before hoping on a cheap regional flight to Myanmar, where you'll be spending the week, travelling to 3 different cities via train and ferry. It's adventurous, it's a bit crazy, and it's the kind of thing a lot of people are doing these days – making the most of a short amount of travel time, grasping every opportunity to enjoy a city. (And we happened to follow this exact itinerary!)

Carry On Limit - suitcase being measured

But as you're gaining your last few hours of sleep in Brussels, somewhere in the world something bad is happening. An environmental disaster. An outbreak of war. An unexpected election result in a tumultuous region. Without warning, the price of oil rises. Skyrockets, in fact. And while commuters back home are waking up to a pricey car fill up, airline executives are having aneurysms as they imagine staying financially afloat. (Thankfully, this particular scenario has never happened to us!)

Will airlines start cracking down? More like WHEN they start cracking down...

Vanessa checks into a hostel with her backpack

We already know that airlines are finding creative ways to earn a buck at every turn and unpredictable fuel hikes are one of the main reasons for it. In the face of particularly annoying checked baggage fees, more and more travelers are opting to just take carry-on only. And we are sneaking on bags that are pushing those carry-on boundaries, sometimes to ridiculous limits. So in this fictional situation, what's an airline likely to do when they wake up and realize their fuel prices have increased overnight.

They're going to start making some money and they're going to start paying attention to those carry-on bags. Immediately. They're going to make you demonstrate that you can fit your bag inside the metal form and they are going to weigh the bags too. By some estimates, close to 75% of carry-on bags are over the size and/or weight limit. Not all by a lot, but still certainly over, if only by a small amount. If you've ever been last to board a plane, you can attest to the incredible lack of overhead space. And almost everyone has experienced delays in takeoff and then in disembarking as we all take extra time stashing and stowing our heavy, oversize gear.

Would you be prepared to have your carry-on scrutinized? If you showed up at Brussels airport in the early morning hours, would you be ready to have your carry-on challenged? Would you be ready to check that bag? Would you check it straight through to Bangkok so you wouldn't have to worry about it in Istanbul? What would you do if it didn't show up in Bangkok? Would you be prepared to replace your belongings in 24 hours?

Prepare for strict rules.

I don't think my fictional scenario is all that far fetched and in fact is very probable and realistic, considering increased security, demands for greater efficiency in boarding and disembarking, and airline profit motivations. Carry on regulations can and do change without notice (Do you remember in August 2006 when regulations concerning liquids changed overnight? Welcome, 3-1-1 kit!) The reality is that airlines can insist you check carry-on at any point and it’s only a combination of short staff and high passenger volume that permits a slack system to continue.

As I plan my round the world flight, I plan on going 100% carry-on only. It will be easier for me when it comes to moving around on land and I’m sure my back will appreciate having a lighter load to carry. And I will eliminate the chance of losing my luggage as much as is humanly possible. But I found it surprisingly hard to find backpacks that fit my requirements. While there are endless small wheeled suitcases that are made to fit airline requirements, I wanted to go with a backpack. They weigh several pounds less than suitcases and are much easier to handle in the real world, whereas wheelies would fail on cobblestone, gravel paths, subway stairs.

Searching for the ideal carry on bag begins

Measuring a backpack with a tape measure Picture

Several well-known companies offered hiking and camping style backpacks that, while appropriate in terms of volume (35-55L), wouldn't work due to their dimensions. While aggravating, this is understandable, as hikers require long, narrow packs. This wasn't the best choice for me. The packs were comfortable and supportive, but the long dimensions didn't cut it and the plethora of exterior straps were unnecessary for my purposes and would eventually just snag or tear.

That left travel bags. While many of these have rigging and straps every bit as comfortable and supportive as a hike pack, they are often less technical and more bare bones. No exterior straps and loops, no sleeping bag compartments. They are meant for travelers and are designed to maximize space and minimize fuss. Great in theory, right?

Well, it drove me crazy to find one that fit carry-on regulations. Some, understandably, were quite large and obviously were never meant for carry-on But, time and time again, the smaller sized travel packs were 1-4 centimeters larger than carry-on dimensions. Why oh why oh why would you make a pack that was an inch or two over dimension? Who exactly is the market for these oh-so-close but ultimately useless bags? If I'm going to pay to check a bag, I'm gonna make sure it's worth it! Why would I buy a bag that was carry-on size at first glance but would never actually help me?

A second level of craziness? The reviews of these bags! Without exception, every single bag review would be subject to the "is this carry-on size?" question. And every time, a helpful staffer or client would respond that it wasn't TECHNICALLY carry-on size, but you might be able to scrunch it smaller if it wasn't too stuffed. Or that if you were a taller person, the bag would look smaller and you would be okay!! (really?) Who exactly leaves enough space in a bag to squish it? Human nature seems to say that if it has room, a person will fill it.

Is It Love?

In the end, I was thrilled to find my Osprey Porter 46. Designed as a travel bag with the max allowable carry on dimensions, it is ultra light, stylish, but very practical. It is comfortable as a backpack and looks grownup at the same time.

I'm so looking forward to travelling with it and, if I'm challenged at an airport, I'll be prepared!

UPDATE!!!

After one year and the round-the-world trip, I've put all the pros and cons of the Osprey Porter 46 into a comprehensive review! You can find it here.

If you enjoyed this article, you'll also like:
Anywhere in the World with Carry-On
10 Tips for Keeping Your Carry-On Safe
The Case for Carry-On and Ultra Light Packing
Rucksack Roundup: The Northface Verto 26
Rucksack Roundup: Three Favourite Things I Always Travel With

Jo link

17/2/2013 06:53:23 pm

I've just bought a rolling backpack, largely because I do most of my traveling in countries that do baggage by weight rather than size and I was looking for the lightest possible bag I could find. It's quite a lot smaller than my existing international carry on size bag so will take a serious packing readjustment.

I'll be posting on my experience of the rolling backpack when I'm finished my trip in late April.

Vanessa

18/2/2013 12:20:58 am

We also really looked at the wheeling backpacks. The real appeal is that you'd have the benefit of the backpack when the ground was rough (cobblestones, etc) but could be back to wheels the rest of the time and I saw a real appeal in not having to carry something on my back the whole time. I wasn't able to find any lightweight ones here - they were all 4-6 lbs -I just couldn't get past it -it was several pounds more than my new backpack !1.3lbs). and we'll have a weight limit of 15lbs for our flights. If you ever do a review of your bag, I'd love to have a guest post on it here - how did it work out, was it a good investment, how you managed to readjust your packing, etc..

Krista link

1/5/2013 01:27:57 am

Great post! I try to pack light enough to go carry-on only (at least going to my destination) for longer trips and always go carry-on only for trips of a week or less. I'm going to check out that Osprey bag - thanks!

2/5/2013 11:09:44 am

Thanks for your kind feedback! So far I'm really liking my Osprey bag. Size wise,it's perfect and, considering it's more of a "travel bag in back pack form" as opposed to a "I'm a serious outdoorsman backpack", it's still comfortable and supportive. I don't know if it would be my top choice if I was traveling nonstop, backpacking and carrying it on my back for hours at a time every day, as it lacks some of the more substantial padding of the more serious packs. But this also shaves down its weight considerably and makes it a nice choice for dashing through the airport, walking to the hotel, etc.

Jodi link

11/8/2013 04:48:25 pm

Hi Vanessa; Do you carry a personal item as well? I carry a dslr so am thinking that backpack (if I can find it in Canada) will work well alongside my camera case which should fit under the seat. I've got carry on size case wheels but it weighs about 7 lbs. The back pack looks "safer" for fitting airline requirements. :)

12/8/2013 08:21:43 am

Hi Jodi - Good question! I DO carry a personal item as well, but I try to make sure there is plenty of room in my main pack that I can combine them if necessary (I've been caught before in a security alert where passengers could only take one bag on board - with no exceptions for purses, personal items, etc....) I use a small PacSafe messenger/ side satchel style bag that is about the size of a medium purse but much better at organization. I COULD fit my dslr in it, but it would take up the bulk of the space. Ryan uses an STM messenger/lap top bag with padded sections and he usually carries the camera. We're new to carrying a dslr, so we don't have any extra lenses to accommodate yet.

Wade

10/12/2013 12:24:33 am

Hi, I too have been victim of getting obsessed with getting the most from a bag which is the maximum size for carry on but also the most practical. Previous to this trip in planning I was more of a settled traveller where I have lugged my 65 litre bag (filled to with 22kg of things I barely used) from airport to hotel where it has stayed for a few days before moving on, this kind of travel has inspired me to travel light as I do not want to plan much and want to be happy to land in a city and walk around without being weighed down with excessive bulk.
As there is 2 of us going on our trip I didn't feel to bad when I ordered 3 bags to trial. I received the osprey porter 46l, osprey far point 40l and the kathmandu litehaul II 38L. All 3 have very similar dimensions and there is no doubting that the osprey porter will hold the maximum amount of gear due to its open plan layout but it lost points with me due to its lack of back support. Was this a problem on your trip? I could just see it bending badly or being very awkward with my macbook due to its open pocket. The osprey far point 40l gains points in its light wire frame back support,its capability to be zipped up and have a constant shoulder strap for easy carrying options. It also has a built in computer and netbook pockets, but when in use it gives the back pack a "box" look and if you put your back pack on the ground the first impact will be the computer unfortunately. Finally there was the Kathmandu litehaul 2, it has a reasonable back support, open plan pocket and a built in laptop pocket which is at the at the back of the pack.
In conclusion we will be taking the litehaul for the computer and back support and the far point 40l, don't get me wrong there is a lot going for the porter especially the amount of gear that can go in this compact bag but after trialling all 3 I have come to a conclusion that there is no "perfect bag" for carry on only luggage.

I would love to see a review of this article to see if it has fared up to expectations??

Thanks

11/12/2013 02:07:17 am

Hi Wade,

Thanks for all the great feedback and bag ideas. We found the 46 to work reasonably well. You're right, for sheer internal space and low weight, it can't be best but we did find the lack of internal support to be a problem when doing longer walks or - worst of all - standing in long airport lines. I think it works best as a carry on when you only have a mild to occasionally moderate amount of walking to do.

11/12/2013 02:43:02 am

Hi Vanessa; I did lots of research as well and finally settled on this bag which I'm going to use on my 2.5 month trip to Australia and New Zealand. Since I'll be moving a LOT, I wanted something easily packed and unpacked and have found a traditional backpack very inconvenient for that. It's a little heavier than yours but has a bit more room and the dimensions are the same. I'm hoping it passes carry on regs in most airlines. My issue might be weight on the internal Aus flights. http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-weekender-convertible/143101?productid=10150072&rlid=SEARCH_NO

25/3/2014 09:53:01 am

Hi Jodi - I'd love to hear more about how your bag works out!

25/3/2014 10:20:01 pm

I'm nearing the end of my trip and this bag has worked out great.IFlying with carry on only made my international flights so much more flexible. I could change in London when my plane got there early as I had no checked bag to worry about. There's no way to do carry on only on the internal Aus flights due to the weight restrictions so I had to check it. I've used every inch of this bag. I've packed and unpacked it many times and the zippers are holding out fine. I've used the back pack straps and the shoulder strap in various situations. The only thing that might be nice would be wheels but that would add to the weight. I can expand it for the flight home if I buy too much stuff and check it then. Yup, great bag :)

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