Carry On Baggage Recommendations...

Got a ski trip to CO coming up... looking to beat some baggage check fees this go. I have double ski bag (which will be packed to 49.99lbs with ski clothes and skis), a backpack I usually bring on the plane with ski boots, and typically a second checked bag for clothes (theres a conf mid trip).

I'm looking to eliminate the second check bag this year and get something I can carry-on in addition to a small backpack w/ my ski boots. Will they let me do that? small backpack and a carry-on bag? Kinda like woman with purse and carry-on?

Second is what that second carry on would be... I usually fly Jet blue or united. United limit is 45 linear inches. So of course I found something close size-wise, the patagonia Black hole 60L bag which is 47 linear inches, patagonia.com/us/product/bl…. Do folks think this will be a deal breaker and not get let on? Some of the roll ons ones I saw being brought on on my last trip, last year, were atrociously big. If its too big and they don't let you on with it at the gate, do they make you pay the checked bag fee.

From my experiences, you can carry on with two bags. I've gone on with a 50L bag and a small backpack and there was no problem. I wouldn't take anything larger than a 50L on the plane though, because all though the length may be fine, I can almost guarantee the height will not be. If I stuff my 50L full it just barely fits(length and height). Another tip, would be when your walking on the plane, put your small bag up top anywhere there is room, even if it is not next to your seat, then put your big bag above you before you sit down. Nobody moves bags, or asks who's bag is who's really, so although its kinda lame... It works, and this way you wont have to sit with your small bag at your feet.

I've never seen them charge you to gate check a bag if it looks like it isn't going to fit in the overhead compartment.

That duffel might be a little over the limit. I routinely carry a 50L MH pack but can't stuff it full as it would not fit that way. The length is just right though.

A second backpack is usually fine but it should fit under the seat in front of you. Not cool to take up two overhead spaces even if you can get away with it. Other people almost always need the space. You might not have much leg room putting it under the seat in front of you but it's worth it to get that backpack on board.

If you don't mind checking your big carry-on then that might be the best option. Just ask the gate attendant for a gate check tag and they'll send it through to your final destination. Then throw your backpack up top and enjoy the ride.

I carry a MEI Voyageur as my main carry on, and a 15-20L backpack as my "small personal item." Never had a problem.

Most airlines consider skis and boots to be a SINGLE item for baggage purposes, i.e. your ski bag and your boot bag together are only counted as ONE checked bag. Check your airline policy though. I recently flew LGA-DEN on Frontier and had no problems, on the way back I flew JetBlue and they counted my boot bag as separate because I had clothing and other gear stuffed into the bag around my boots. According to their policy, the boots can only be included with the skis if the boot bag contains *only* boots (although I'm sure you could toss a couple small items in - mine had a whole extra compartment with hardshells, baselayers, puffy jacket, etc) Of course, checking your boots runs the small risk of your boots not showing up in CO on time. Ski are easier to replace than boots for a short trip - your call.

In terms of carry on, I fly an awful lot (Gold member on 2 alliances) and 90% of the time I carry my 48L Cold Cold World Chernobyl as my "carry on" and my XL Timbuktu messenger bag as my "personal item". (I can pack the Chernobyl up to the very brim - as long as the lid is empty, the overhead compartment will close.) In between those 2 bags, I can get everything I need to bring, even for a climbing trip (Full trad rack, 60M rope, harness, shoes, chalk, 2 changes of clothes). Helmet gets clipped to the outside of the backpack (never once had an issue) and I put on my jacket for the 10 minutes it takes to board, then stuff it in the overhead next to my backpack. On the rare occasions I've brought ice/ski boots but not checked any other bags, I wear them right onto the plane.

+1 to boots and skis being counted as the same bag. If you have gear that looks like it might be ski related, they probably won't balk at that either. JetBlue happily (?) took my boot bag with a pair of Nomics and boots full of screws on 3 separate flights. My carry on was a BD Speed 30 and a Flash 18 which they let on (and have several times).

I suspect they'll let the Black hole on, it seems reasonably sized, although it might not hurt to underpack it a bit so it's definitely under their limits. They let some dudes guitar on, so who knows with the rules.

My 50L pack stuffed with brain removed was good for a carry on, and you can also bring a smaller bag that will fit under the seat in front of you.

Thanks everyone I really appreciate the good input. I ususally roll with my boots on the outside of a small bag I carryon so no issues there in my mind... Really want the 60L but thinking finding another bag @ 50L would probably save some hasseling.