It's not just airfares that are making a big dent in your travel budget, over packing (or what some of the airlines call over packing) is going to cost more, too. Many carriers have already increased the fees they charge for overweight baggage.
United announced that they will start charging many of their domestic customers $25, each way, for checking a second bag. US Airways followed suite with implementation of that policy but expanded it to include all destinations (top-level frequent flyers and those that pay the higher, refundable, airfares will still be allowed two checked pieces).
An anonymous, but reliable, source tells us that American Airlines has a similar plan under consideration. You can be sure that if a couple of the legacy carriers make this change, and don't suffer too many negative consequences, it will soon be the "law of the land".
Checked luggage rules and restrictions are changing almost daily, and there is little consistency from airline to airline. If you're taking a trip that involves more than one carrier, we suggest you go with the strictest limitations. Also, be sure to carefully check seasonal, or date restrictions. For example, United Airlines lists a bunch of dates (usually around holidays) where additional, special restrictions and limitations apply.
To assist you in your research we've listed links to most of the carriers below. But before you start your homework, here are just a few of the "weirder" restrictions we've found:
- Many carriers limit the alcoholic content of liquor, in both checked or carry-on luggage to 140 proof.
- The TSA limits liquids in your carryon baggage to no more than 3.4 ounces per item, but did you know that American Airlines website says that even in your checked luggage you can't have more than 70 ounces total, with no single item having more than 16 ounces.
- American Airlines says if you are checking in antlers that they must be "as clean of residue as possible" (who decides how clean is clean?) but US Airways says they must be "completely clear of residue."
- Airtran specifically says you cannot have gel shoe inserts.
- Southwest advises that you can check, or carry on your parachute (subject to size limits) but further advises that you cannot wear it onboard.
- United Airlines will let you check your kayak or windsurfer, but effective May 5, 2008 it will cost you $400 roundtrip (you could buy one and leave it behind, or donate it, for less!).
- Golf bags and equipment can be checked with most carriers, but… United Airlines website says the golf bag is limited to 62" total dimensions and 50 pounds. US Airways adds that it can’t contain more than 14 clubs, 12 balls, and one pair of shoes, but they do allow a pull cart if it is attached to the bag. AA allows you to substitute it for your checked bag and says it can weight up to 70 pounds. We wonder if they check the contents, and how soon some enterprising luggage manufacturer starts making golf bag shaped luggage?
- Bringing your bowling equipment? US Airways allows you to check them or carry them on but admonishes that they cannot go in the overhead bins. American Airlines adds that your bowling ball cleaner cannot have more than 70% alcohol (there’s that 140 proof thing, again) or have a "high" level of acetone (how high is too high?). Oh yeah, United Airlines mentions that your bowling bag can have up to two balls inside.
- United Airlines doesn’t allow briefcases that have built in alarm systems.
And there are lots more. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has added their own set of rules and regulations so we've included that link for you, too. The TSA's screening requirements will affect almost all baggage, but some things we found in our research, along with a few more recent updates include:
- Cremains - although allowed, they may not be able to be screened when in certain urns or containers. They recommend placing them in a box or plastic container for the trip.
- Effective this past January, most disposable (and some other) lighters are allowed, but if you got used to taking matches instead, you are now limited to one book of safety matches, down from the previous four.
- Certain tools, up to 7 inches in length can be taken onboard but scissors are limited to 4 inches and knitting needles don’t have a size restriction.
Airline baggage, and TSA links:
- United Airlines - www.united.com/page/middlepage/0,6823,1031,00.html?navSource=servicesandinfo&linkTitle=3baggage
- US Airways - www.usairways.com/awa/content/traveltools/baggage/default.aspx
- AirTran Airways - www.airtran.com/policies/baggage_information.aspx
- American Airlines - www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/travelInformation/baggage/main.jsp&anchorEvent=false
- Southwest Airlines - www.southwest.com/travel_center/baggage.html
- Delta Airlines - www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/index.jsp
- Spirit Airlines - www.spiritair.com/welcome.aspx?pg=policies#baggage
- Frontier Airlines - www.frontierairlines.com/frontier/flight-info/at-the-airport/baggage-info.do
- JetBlue Airways - www.jetblue.com/help/topics/help_topic_baggageinfo.html
- Continental Airlines - www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/default.aspx
- Alaska/Horizen Airlines - www.alaskaair.com/as/www2/help/faqs/CarryOnBaggage.asp
- Virgin America - http://virginamerica.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/virginamerica.cfg/php/enduser/
- TSA - http://www.tsa.gov/
