Carry On Frustration - A Vent About This Page:

[revral]

I'm frustrated with carry ons. I never had problems with them until I started carrying a laptop with me. Before the laptop it was easy good sized backpack and a nice roomy purse and I was good to go. Now with a laptop the backpack becomes heavy and awkward by the time the computer and it's stuff (powercords, mouse, wireless aircard etc.), camera and batteries, etc. are loaded in it. I have a small wheeled suitcase that meets carry on requirements however it holds less than the backpack does and I'm not sure I want to be trying to put in and take out an actual piece of luggage from the overhead bin on flights that seem to be getting more and more crowded. The laptop also forces me to put some of what would otherwise be in the backpack in to my purse which ends up leaving me trying to figure out what to do with my comfort items (inflatable neck & back pillows, eyemask etc.) and necessities such as my wallet. I have a nice photographer's style vest that I usually wear to theme parks so I don't have to carry a bag. I'm thinking I might start wearing the vest when I fly and load it with the things like my wallet, pen, iPod, etc. that normally go in my purs that would free up my purse for things such as my comfort items and reading material that I want quick and relatively easy access to during the flight as the stuff in my backpack is stuff such as medication, camera, laptop, etc. that I either want access to while waiting in the airport or don't want to risk putting in my checked luggage. Thanks for letting me vent. If anyone has fantastic bags they carry on when they fly I'd love to hear about and see them and know where you got them.

[chezp]

I can fully understand your frustration. Imagine the situation over here, where we've only been allowed one carry-on through security - no separate purse or handbag. I have no idea what I'm going to use for carry-on in May, as usually I take my own and DH takes the laptop and this time, that will be coming with me.

[revral]

1 bag through security. Ouch. I really feel for you. If I were in your position I think I'd be going with a nice roomy backpack (no wheels) and a vest with alot of pockets such as a photographers vest and quite possibly cargo pants too. I think what I'm going to do is use the small suitcase, pack the backpack in my checked suitcase, use a small tote or large purse as my personal bag, and wear my vest loaded with my wallet etc. This way if necessary coming home I can pay to check the small suitcase and use the backpack as my carry-on bag.

[HiddenMickey]

The only problem I see with the vest as means of tranporting things, is that you'll have to take it off to go through security, I think.

If I were you, I'd spend some time shopping for a new carry-on/laptop bag and new purse that will suit you better than what you currently have. There are so many different kinds that I'm sure you can find something.

Oh, and I ususally put my purse in some sort of tote bag to use as my second carryon bag....the tote can hold all the things I need on the plane and my purse can still hold my purse things as an item in the tote, and it's all in one nice package.

Good luck!

[revral]

I'll probably end up looking for something after my trip. I leave on the 26th and have enough to do without adding in trying to find a new bag. Taking the vest off doesn't bother me as Sea-Tac security makes you remove sweaters/jackets anyway and I find taking the vest off easier than doing my own search to make sure there's nothing in my pockets. I think I'll make a list of the stuff that always goes in each bag that will at least give me something to go off of when looking at bags.

[Belle*]

My laptop bag is a little unconventional - it was actually my diaper bag! It is a black Coach diaper bag so it looks like a laptop bag but has plenty of pockets, etc. One day I just happened to have my laptop near the bag and a little lightbulb went off. It's perfect! So you may want to consider some less traditional alternatives. I saw backpacks at Best Buy the other day that were specifically designed for laptops that had plenty of room for other things in them.

[Tonichelle]

I use my wheeled carryon suitcase. I can fit my travel camera bag in it as well as my laptop and still have room for toilettries and other stuff. It's heavier than my checked bag (or so I'm told by those who have lifted both, but I think they exaggerate) and i've been lucky that I have never been forced to check it because the overhead has been full.

I personally feel it unfair if someone has to check their carryon because the overhead/carryons limit is abused by others as you have to PAY for that extra checked bag on most airlines. So not cool.

[All Ears]

I HATE having to deal with all of the luggage restrictions these days. Ugh!
When we fly, I take a small wheeled carry-on and a tote bag "purse." My wheeled carry-on contains extra clothing/shoes, my hairdryer, and my flat iron. In the tote bag, I place my small Vera Bradley mini-hipster purse (which contains all of my normal purse-essentials), my toiletries, snacks/reading material for the plane, my camera bag, cell phone, etc.
I then check one medium-sized bag which contains everything else needed.