US Airline Travel Regulations - FYI

[Niki]

Southwest is pretty permissive, if anyone ever uses them.
I fly with them most of the time since they fly non-stop to Denver.
They let me fly with a carry-on luggage bag, laptop case (Ive got a 17" Dell, so we're talking as big as a briefcase) and my camera bag. So maybe they consider the laptop bag my "personal item"? who knows.
I don't carry a purse most of the time, so that saves me there.
But, Ive seen ppl carry on HUGE duffels that I thought for sure would not fit in the overhead compartments and the attendants don't bat an eye.
Will take note not to carry a tripod.
Guess I'll have to borrow one for my next trip in a couple months. =/

[Mallee Boy]

Originally Posted by cardinal43

You might want to double check this, and it might just be a one-time deal. My wife and I (both NWA mileage members) just returned today (at 2:40am) from a r/t from Baltimore (BWI) to Seattle on NWA, and I had to pay $15 each way for 1 checked bag. Going out of BWI, the bag weighed 50 lbs even, and when I checked it at Seattle, it weighed 54 pounds, and they wanted $90 for the extra 4 lbs. Needless to say, we "rearranged" some stuff from the checked bag to the carry-on (don't worry, it was all clean) and it hit the scale at 50 lbs. I did carry my camera bag (LowePro Slingshot 200) and had no trouble with carrying it on. One of the TSA ladies asked me what I had inside and I told her...K20D + 4 lens, and she remarked..."nice camera". She said she shoots with the K100D.

Thanks for that Tom.....what I was referring is for the World PerksELITE, which I am not a member of. Oh well, too late now. I guess they all have the same policy anyway.

Cheers.

[daacon]

All these carry on regulations are airport dependant, plane dependant, airline dependant and even the security personnel dependant.

Last year flying back from Kelowna (737) Westjet - one of the girls got a cuticle cutter confiscated. I had a small set of screwdrivers for glasses / laptops much more dangerous as a 'weapon' and got through no problem.

On a charter to Mexico there was a 6kg limit (but after some whining on my part they let me carry my 11kg camera gear on board). As Lowell suggested it’s all about total weight and distribution.

The size of the aircraft does indeed make a huge difference. I have been a few puddle jumpers as there are only so many direct flights from my area. There are some that would have an issue with even a Lowepro Sling 300AW in the overhead.

The polices at most airline web sites are generic. It would be best to know what type of plane you are actually boarding.

As for the free bags - I am expecting to pay for one or two (if I check my camera gear) so will be pleasantly surprised if I don't have to.

[lithos]

Originally Posted by Damn Brit

Take 3kg worth of sandwiches with you then Grant.

What, buy them at the airport? I don't think Marc has a spare fifteen thousand dollars to spend on sangers.

[Marc Langille]

Originally Posted by lithos

What, buy them at the airport? I don't think Marc has a spare fifteen thousand dollars to spend on sangers.

But that's only a couple of sandwiches for that price at an airport, regardless of weight...

[Mallee Boy]

On a trip to the US in 2001 or 2, we were delayed in LAX for a connecting flight...no big deal...paricularly when there's a bar opposite your gate

.....so I ordered a "Tall Boy" beer.....which when exchange rates were taken into account (51 cents at the time) cost me over $20 aussie. Took awhile to drink that one!

[rormeister]

I recently wrote TSA regarding small carbon fiber Tri or MonoPods. Here is their response:

Thank you for your e-mail.

The Transportation Security Administration's current security screening procedures require all carry-on luggage and accessible property be screened before passengers take them onboard an aircraft. Regardless of whether an item is on the prohibited or permitted items list, the Transportation Security Officers (TSO's) have discretion to prohibit an individual from carrying an item through the screening checkpoint or onboard an aircraft if the item poses a security threat.

Therefore, TSA security screening personnel make the final decision on whether to permit items into the sterile area of the airport.

Please visit our website at www.tsa.gov for additional information about TSA. We continue to add new information and encourage you to check the website frequently for updated information.

We hope this information is helpful.

TSA Contact Center



Read into that what you will.