Stupid question about luggage carts

[NorthernGrl]

Coming from a very infrequent flyer....
We have a lot of heavy-weight duffle bags and the like, but no wheeled suitcases. I've seen and picked up a number of wheeled luggage carts at a few garage sales etc. over the last few months. But how does this work? Our bags will be strapped on them for the walk through the airport, when we check the bags will they need to be removed? Do we just take them with us on the plane? They wouldn't count as a carry-on, would they?

Sorry it's such a stupid question, but we'll be flying in January. 3 adults, 9 kids (only one of whom has ever flown before and she was under a year). 2 of the kiddos have high functioning autism and we're just trying to prep as best we can.

 

[bumbershoot]

A luggage cart would count as a carryon, yes.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Yes it counts as a carry on item.

 

[Gracie09]

If the bags are going to be checked, just do curbside check in. Most airports offer it. Pull up, check bags, go park

 

[maxiesmom]

I honestly think you need to invest in some wheeled suitcases. Any cart you use to haul your bags needs to go with you somehow.

Check with which airline you are flying to be sure, but most allow you to carry on two bags. One must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you and one can go in the overhead bin. The size of the bags does vary by airline. And when measuring to see if a bag is the proper size you must include the wheels and handles, not just the body of the bag.

How old are the kids? If they are old enough let them deal with their own carry on. I'd have them each with their own backpack that can go under the seat in front of them. That way they have easy access to any books or goodies they bring on board.

Where are you flying to? It is someplace you can send down a box or two to lighten your load at the airport?

 

[sam_gordon]

Coming from a very infrequent flyer....
We have a lot of heavy-weight duffle bags and the like, but no wheeled suitcases. I've seen and picked up a number of wheeled luggage carts at a few garage sales etc. over the last few months. But how does this work? Our bags will be strapped on them for the walk through the airport, when we check the bags will they need to be removed? Do we just take them with us on the plane? They wouldn't count as a carry-on, would they?

Sorry it's such a stupid question, but we'll be flying in January. 3 adults, 9 kids (only one of whom has ever flown before and she was under a year). 2 of the kiddos have high functioning autism and we're just trying to prep as best we can.

The duffel bags have straps on them, right? So put them over your shoulder. No wheels needed. You should only need two duffels at the most, can probably get by with one. All that goes in the duffel are clothes/medicines you might need for the first 24 hours. Then you bring backpacks that hold all entertainment items and whatever else you might need easily on the plane.

 

[maxiesmom]

I may be wrong but I think they plan on using the duffel bags for checked bags too. So they will need way more than 2 duffel bags for 9 kids and 3 adults.

 

[sam_gordon]

I may be wrong but I think they plan on using the duffel bags for checked bags too. So they will need way more than 2 duffel bags for 9 kids and 3 adults.

Ah, I misunderstood.

 

[maxiesmom]

Ah, I misunderstood.

I'm not sure if you did. Hopefully the OP will come back to clarify.

 

[bumbershoot]

But how does this work? Our bags will be strapped on them for the walk through the airport, when we check the bags will they need to be removed?

The OP discusses what happens when they check the bags, so they are talking about checked bags.

Op can you take a trip to the airport to get a lay of the land? Since you rarely fly you might not know how short a walk this will be until you don't have the bags. Might be worth an hour or so of parking fees to see if your airport and airline has outside luggage dropoff with porters and/or how close the inside checkin desks are.

 

[seashoreCM]

Most duffel bags do not meet size limits for carryons. In general, if the size limits are published as length (such as 22") by width (such as 9") by height (such as 14"), a single number total (such as 45") is meaningless and useless.

Be careful shopping around for wheeled suitcases. Some models have lots of empty space around the wheels so the body of the suitcase might be a lot smaller than a similar non-wheeled suitcase that also fits the Size Wise frame at the airport.

You might be able to fold up a lightweight wheeled cart and fit it inside the suitcase.

 

[ibob52]

Possible alternatives:

Bring a extra suitcase to put the trolleys in.

Pay $5.00 to rent a airport cart.

I understand you bought the trolleys to use at the airport

but now that there *maybe* a issue in using them ... you might need to scuttle that plan.

 

[tjmw2727]

Depending on the durability of the duffel and the size of the carts could you leave room and quickly put the carts into the duffel after you get to the check in desk? Keep in mind the weight though - you said they were heavy so make sure the weight of the duffel with the luggage cart inside is under the airline weight restrictions.

Honestly with the make up of your party and the kid to adult ratio I would try and find some rolling suitcases (could you borrow?) and combine an adult with a child's belongings. Even a couple rollers would help as you may be able to strap a duffel to a roller bag for the length of time to get from the car to the check in.
You can also rent a luggage cart at the airport and leave the ones you purchased behind.

 

[xlxo]

I hate airports that charge for carts...

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I have to agree with the poster that said it's time to invest in wheeled luggage, not only for the airport but for the resorts as well. Kids can also be much bigger help with wheeled suitcases than with duffel bags.

 

[NorthernGrl]

Thanks everyone.
Yes, we were planning on checking the duffles. Leaving room in the top of the bags to put the carts inside is a fantastic idea! That may work.
We live in Northern Ontario, Canada and are flying out of BUF to MCO, so a trip to the airport isn't convenient (5 hours away). We're flying SouthWest, and are taking advantage of the free checked bags. The Kids will each be taking a small backpack with their plane entertainment, but we have so many kids to keep track of and a few carseats too, so we have chosen to skip the personal items, and limit them to one bag each. The littlest kids are not going to be able to carry a bag with a weeks worth of clothes/toiletries etc, but they certainly can pull it on a wheeled cart behind them!
My husband and I did this same trip with the duffles last fall, and they were heavy to carry through MCO and the resort, which is why I got excited when I started seeing the luggage carts at yard sales for a few dollars each and picking them up.
I suppose we could do some borrowing, but would like to avoid purchasing suitcases. Since my mom and I are pretty much picking up the tab for 3 of my nieces, plus I'm paying for the trip for my own 4, I'd rather not drop $300+ on suitcases too.

 

[maxiesmom]

Just be careful that you not only leave room for the carts but allow for the weight of them.

 

[tjmw2727]

Just be careful that you not only leave room for the carts but allow for the weight of them.

Agree ! I fly at least once a month and often see passengers scrambling to try and take items out of overweight luggage. Even on SWA where you can take 2 bags free there is a $75 charge for an overweight bag. Invest in a luggage scale - you can usually find them under $10 and weigh your bags with the carts inside, also helpful after purchasing souvenirs!

 

[NorthernGrl]

Agree ! I fly at least once a month and often see passengers scrambling to try and take items out of overweight luggage. Even on SWA where you can take 2 bags free there is a $75 charge for an overweight bag. Invest in a luggage scale - you can usually find them under $10 and weigh your bags with the carts inside, also helpful after purchasing souvenirs!

I will do this for sure! We should be able to manage it, after all, we can take 24 checked bags!! lol

 

[leebee]

Yes, I was just going to say... you can check 24 bags for free! Even with car seats thrown in there, you'll have plenty of luggage space. I would go to Goodwill/yardsales and find a cheap suitcase that the luggage carts will fit in. Stick the carts in the empty suitcase at the Southwest desk, then give duffles to SW, then cart-suitcase and car seats. I also like the suggestion of a hand-held luggage scale. Yes, you can try to weigh the suitcases yourself, but it's kind-of a pain. I've seen the scales at Target for about $10 and am going to get one myself. We fly several times a year, and it's annoying for DH to have to weigh himself, then get on the scale with the suitcase so I can read the combined weight, then subtract to see how heavy the packed suitcase is. I always like to be a couple of pounds "under" to allow some wiggle room. You also might want to take an empty duffle in the cart-suitcase (if it won't make the cart-suitcase overweight, and if using it won't put you over your 24 checked-item limit); that way you'll have space for souvenirs and room to shift things around, just in case anything IS overweight.