topic Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage? in Suggestion Box

Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

Becky from Texas — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 16:04:29 GMT

Okay - for several months I have heard 2 people on QVC talk about never checking luggage on their airflights (Kerstin and Renee). They speak about it with pride - almost as if there is something virtuous about it. I see it exactly the opposite and wanted to hear from others. My rationale: #1 there are employees who earn their living from handling checked luggage, so I am helping them when I check my bags. #2 there are airlines who do not charge an additional fees for checking luggage, so it doesn't cost me anything other than perhaps a tip. #3 I can exit the plane quickly when it lands, and I am not delaying other passengers as I struggle to collect mine (and my kids) luggage from overhead bins. I have a pet peeve about those who are so inconsiderate and delay other's exits while they hunt down the several pieces they stowed above. So please - stop lecturing me about how wonderful it is that your "kids have never in their lives checked luggage"! That is not admirable. It is not a virtue. It is inconsiderate to the other passengers! I would rather airlines STOP allowing passengers to carryon their bags.

What do you think?

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

proudlyfromNJ — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 16:09:38 GMT

@Becky from Texas When I worked for the airlines carry on bags could not be over a certain size.

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

beach-mom — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 16:10:02 GMT

Hi @Becky from Texas ! I have not heard Kerstin talk about this- I'm probably just watching at the wrong times, but I have heard Renee say it a lot. I'm a fan of Renee's line, and I think she's making a point that her items can be rolled and tucked instead of having to be packed carefully.

Renee travels a lot. I imagine it's easier for her not to check her luggage because of her tight schedule.

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

KingstonsMom — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 16:13:37 GMT

I never check a bag when I fly either, I fly with 1 carry on, no problem to locate quickly and I don't spend an hour waiting at the luggage carousel, IF I'm lucky enough for my bags to actually arrive.

I'm not "inconsiderate" at all.

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

Kachina624 — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 17:27:36 GMT

Apparently its a great source of pride for many, especially Kerstin. To me checking luggage is not a big deal and I'd rather do it than risk not having the things I want to wear or running out of clean underwear.

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

santorini — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 16:20:35 GMT

I hear it often from the hosts and it's not a reason to brag, in my opinion. It annoys me when those people take up all the overhead storage space. Maybe they should do the reverse and charge for NOT checking bags.

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

Becky from Texas — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 16:24:38 GMT

That is a GREAT idea! I'm all for charging for each carryon a person brings on the plane - maybe $10 per item? Maybe that would discourage the families from bringing on 10 "small" bags and finding room for them all!

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

haddon9 — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 16:33:32 GMT

I do both! I can fill up my carry on with just my beauty items but I try to par it down. Of course today one can only bring so many liquids on with them.

My carry on consists of extra underwear, an extra top or two, extra bottoms and a pair of flip flops (which is great for warm weather or if I need shower shoes). I also bring a kindle, laptop (or tablet) various chargers, vitamins and my blood pressure meds. That's about all I can fit into the carry on!...I don't plan on only wearing two outfits all week!

ETA: Yes the airlines can and do lose luggage. On a trip to France a few years ago my DH's suitcase never showed up....they fortunately found it after 24 hours and it was sent to him. For me it's wise to have both a carry on and a checked bag.

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

Meowingkitty — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 16:34:31 GMT

It depends how long I'm going to be gone. A few days I can do in a carry on plus a backpack. I only use a small purse and it fits into the backpack. If I'm going for 2 weeks, a cruise or Europe then I have no choice but to check luggage. I did Ireland once for a eeek with just a carryon but when I cam back I had another bag with stuff I bought.

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

haddon9 — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 16:35:57 GMT

@Becky from Texas wrote:
That is a GREAT idea! I'm all for charging for each carryon a person brings on the plane - maybe $10 per item? Maybe that would discourage the families from bringing on 10 "small" bags and finding room for them all!

@Becky from Texas Most airlines that I fly on only allow one carry on & one "personal" bag like a handbag, tote or backpack.

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

kaydee50 — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 17:01:52 GMT

DH and I fly frequently. It depends on whether we check bags or not. One of the reasons we do check bags is we always arrive at the airport early and it's nice not to have to schlep the bags around. On the other hand it's nice not to have to wait for the luggage although it's been our experience that the luggage appears quicker than it used to.

I agree with the OP that people struggle getting their bags from the overhead and slows down the deplaning time but I wouldn't call them "inconsiderate" probably stupid would more clearly fit the bill, IMO!!!

Also, many times at the gate the agents will ask if anyone wants to check a bag for free so those who don't want to spend the extra money can't use that as an excuse.

I am waiting for the day when there will be 2 exits from the plane to quicken getting off. But if won't happen in my lifetime, if ever!

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

ALRATIBA — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 17:09:12 GMT

I always check baggage. No way I'm taking just a carry-on crammed with "multi-purpose" clothes and shoes.

I need "all my stuff."

The only thing I'm carrying is my bag and small tote with my book and knitting!

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

kaydee50 — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 17:08:11 GMT

@ALRATIBA wrote:
I always check baggage. No way I'm taking just a carry-on crammed with "multi-purpose" clothes and shoes.

I need "all my stuff."

The only thing I'm carrying is my bag amd smalll tote with my book and knitting!

Can you take knitting needles on the plane? Maybe circular needles?? Honestly, one of the reasons I like to check bags is to put my knitting needles in the bag because I assumed they would be confiscated at TSA.

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

LindaSal — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 17:08:56 GMT

@kaydee50 ITA !! Many airlines in Europe board and exit from more than one door.

I just returned from the Azores where you literally walk onto the tarmac and climb the stairs to board and exit the planes.

Generally DH and I will check at least one bag, but as others mentioned it depends how long we will be away. If it's just a beach resort that's a carry on only as swimwear, a couple sundresses, coverup and flip flops don't take up much space.

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

Puppy Lips — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 17:11:21 GMT

I tend to agree with the OP. To me, the longest part of the flight is after we land and it takes FOREVER for the people in the rows in front of me to gather their cr@p and exit the plane. Of course by that time and am impatient and really want to get off the plane.

I will say though that I have waited for more than an hour to get my luggage after I am at the carousel. Sometimes it will start to rain, and any lightning shuts down the process of getting luggage off the plane. Either that, or there is some other hold up getting bags into the terminal, so that is not fun.

As a side note, as I am leaving the plane and passing the empty rows in front of me, I am always shocked at the garbage left behind - drink bottles, napkins, newspapers, etc. With how many times the attendants collect garbage, I would think all that would have been collected. People can be pigs.

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

ALRATIBA — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 17:11:49 GMT

@kaydee50

I use bamboo circs ... never had a problem. US or International flights.

-----------------------------------------------------

@kaydee50 wrote:
@ALRATIBA wrote:
I always check baggage. No way I'm taking just a carry-on crammed with "multi-purpose" clothes and shoes.

I need "all my stuff."

The only thing I'm carrying is my bag amd smalll tote with my book and knitting!

Can you take knitting needles on the plane? Maybe circular needles?? Honestly, one of the reasons I like to check bags is to put my knitting needles in the bag because I assumed they would be confiscated at TSA.

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 17:30:19 GMT

@Becky from Texas wrote:
Okay - for several months I have heard 2 people on QVC talk about never checking luggage on their airflights (Kerstin and Renee). They speak about it with pride - almost as if there is something virtuous about it. I see it exactly the opposite and wanted to hear from others. My rationale: #1 there are employees who earn their living from handling checked luggage, so I am helping them when I check my bags. #2 there are airlines who do not charge an additional fees for checking luggage, so it doesn't cost me anything other than perhaps a tip. #3 I can exit the plane quickly when it lands, and I am not delaying other passengers as I struggle to collect mine (and my kids) luggage from overhead bins. I have a pet peeve about those who are so inconsiderate and delay other's exits while they hunt down the several pieces they stowed above. So please - stop lecturing me about how wonderful it is that your "kids have never in their lives checked luggage"! That is not admirable. It is not a virtue. It is inconsiderate to the other passengers! I would rather airlines STOP allowing passengers to carryon their bags.

What do you think?

@Becky from Texas

I don't think "virtuous" is the right word.

People who take everything in a carry on may think they are clever, or can just grab their bag and run, but ... so what?

The main consideration is how often do you travel? Once or twice a year for vacations or family visits? Pack whatever you need. Check your luggage.

If you travel for business, and are on planes every week (as I once was) then going with just carry ons makes a great deal of sense, IMO. Saves a lot of time, especially when in a city you're not very familiar with.

HonestIy, don't think "virtue" has anything to do with this.

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

Icegoddess — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 17:30:42 GMT

@kaydee50 , you can take Figure Skates on a plane. Talk about a serrated blade.

We really only travel once/year and that's a ski trip, so I'm checking baggage. Winter is so much harder to pack for as far as space is concerned with the different layers and sweaters, plus there's ski clothes and there's hanging out clothes. I do wash clothes mid-week during the trip too.

But, I also take a carry-on. I pack a change of clothes and other small items like gloves, meds, beauty, etc. Plus I have a computer and tablet that I won't put in checked baggage.

I don't know of any airline that doesn't charge to check your bags, but I have a Delta CC that my yearly fee covers that part. Some people get around that by dragging their bags through TSA and then checking it to their final destination at boarding. They're always looking for people to do that.

There's supposed to be a size limitiation on what you can carry on, but people carry on very large "small personal items." For some, that's a big backpack and they'll have a large roll-aboard too. But, I had 3 bags once, two of which would fit underneath the seat in front of me and a small Samantha Brown roll-aboard that fit above and the lady didn't want to let me through without me trying to stuff my purse in one of those bags. Usually, since I'm wearing my ski jacket though I can just push the purse to my back where they can't see it. I'll often wear it during the flight too. That way it goes with me if there's an emergency.

The place we always fly into, we get off the plane and go directly to the car rental place which is in the main terminal downstairs. That way we beat the crowds as they're all hanging around the luggage cart. Then, after we have taken care of the car, my husband goes and gets the car, and I go gather up the luggage and meet him at the curb.

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

Tori3569 — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 17:42:24 GMT

As someone who basically only flies for business, I always check my bag. As previously stated, the curbside attendants have lost so much business, that I use that convenience as much as possible. Also, the size and number of bags people think are ok to carry on has gotten larger and larger over the past few years.

Not only does it take longer than necessary to get on the plane waiting for people to stow their bags, but getting off is so much longer, especially where I live flying back into Lga or Jfk. I get really antsy waiting, especially when one person has bags in 2 different places.

I completely understand not wanting to pay $30 or so to check a bag, but I also haven't had to wait for my baggage in over 3 years--it's always there when I get to the carousel.

Re: Is it virtuous to never check your luggage?

mac116 — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 18:35:55 GMT

My sister and her husband NEVER check a bag. She convinced me that I could just use a carry-on for an 8 day cruise. What a mistake!! I happily check a bag if I'm going for longer than a weekend.