Anyone have trouble with oversize luggage?

[slackercruster]

I just bought some new rolling duffles and then found out (too late) the airlines charge $100 per bag cause they are over 62 inches (W + D + L)

Now have to find some new luggage and the luggage I just bought (many hundreds of $$) is not refundable.

Anyone have trouble with oversize luggage? If it is just a few inches over the 62 inch max does the airlines cut you any slack?

 

[RICHinNC]

So far I have been pretty lucky. I generally travel one airline and I am a medalion holder on that airline. So, when I come in a few pounds overweight they will normally say no problem.

As for size, I havent measured my biggest suitcase nor have I ever had any airline measure it. Once I did try to travel with a Pelican 1660 case (prior TSA) and I will NEVER do that again.

The only size issues I have run into is carry on. It must fit under the seat or in an over head storage or it doesnt go on. Plus, since I have two carry ons.....one usually goes in the belly of the plane.

 

[Kilili]

Well, I carry a lot of stuff, and I've yet to see the airline pull out a tape measure and measure a bag. I think, unless it's obviously oversized, not just a few inches, you will not have problems.

If it's a soft bag, you can always put a couple of straps around it, to help compress a little and reduce dimensions. Probably doesn't matter, but one less thing on your worry list.

 

[Damselfish]

Duffles are more forgiving than hard sided luggage. If it's just a few inches you're probably ok on at least US airlines, as long as you're not overstuffing it - in which case you're likely to be overweight which they will get you for. Perhaps say what brand/model you're talking about and someone here will actually have it.

Straps are sort of a good idea to make things more compact. Besides reducing the apparent size it's easier to handle a tight package than something sloppy and I think things are less likely to get damaged. (I say sort of, because I used to do this on my old rolling duffles but lost several straps. I don't know if they get ripped off by the equipment, not replaced by inspectors, or what.) But if you spent a lot I'd expect it has some kind of compression straps built in.

 

[slackercruster]

something like this without the gunbox on top.


http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_514523_imageset_01?$main-Large$

 

[Martha]

If it's only a few inches over, I doubt very much that you will ever be charged the oversize fee, although I can't say that for certain. For years, my husband and I put our dive gear in hard sided luggage which was a few inches over the limit and the size was never even mentioned.

 

[cappyjon431]

One of my soft sided duffles is significantly oversized. When I last went through the line they tried to charge me $100 for it being oversized, so I brought it over to the cellophane wrap kiosk in the airport and the wrap brought the size down enough so there was no oversize charge. The $8 it cost for the wrap was much better than paying $100 for oversized luggage, PLUS it keeps the suitcase clean and from getting damaged in handling.

 

[scubadude79]

They will typically get you for the weight (very strict in the last 6 months) and tend to overlook the size unless it is obviously over sized or if you check it as freight.

cappyjon's idea works, but not in the states since TSA needs to inspect the suitcases and it will typically just get sliced off for inspection anyway. But it will at least get you past the size / weight patrol.

 

[Damselfish]

that Cabelas bag looks more like a trunk style than a duffle style. You may get away with it but I'd be more concerned about it than a slightly oversize duffle type. A duffle tends to be more squishable and often rounded or tapered so less distinctly measurable. That sucker looks very measurable.

 

[cappyjon431]

They will typically get you for the weight (very strict in the last 6 months) and tend to overlook the size unless it is obviously over sized or if you check it as freight.

cappyjon's idea works, but not in the states since TSA needs to inspect the suitcases and it will typically just get sliced off for inspection anyway. But it will at least get you past the size / weight patrol.

I actually had the wrap placed on at Miami International Airport for my last flight to Panama City, Panama. Maybe it is only permitted on international flights.