How strict have they been at the airports on domestic flights? What is the limit anyway? I would love to get all of our stuff into two suitcases but they might charge us for overage and I think that it is really expensive.I am packing right now for a very early departure.

Domestic is 55# and international from the States is 70# on most airlines.

Domestic is 50 pounds. Two checked per person plus carryon. First class is usually 70 domestic; same with elite frequent flyer members.

We have one suitcase that simply screams "WEIGH ME, I'm probably over 50#". Coming back from Ft. Myers, the luggage guy curbside was an old fart, and he grabbed that suitcase and carried it to the scales; said "I hope you are flying First Class",insisted that we were overweight and he was "just letting it go". I wasn't able to weigh it as I packed it, but I'm always careful with that one.

We'll have an interesting scenario in November. Coach class from here to Atlanta, then First on to LAX.

Sheesh, Pam...give a guy a tinsey bit of power.....

Coming back from Vegas I had to take a shoe out of checked baggage and put it in carry on to make the limit.

:app:

I had to take out 3 bottles of carefully packed wine and carry it on ( which I should have done anyways).. but what is the dif? In the luggage or in the carry on? It's still on the same plane..go figure.

My checked bag for Vegas was 48 lbs and that was only for a weekend. I think it was the shoes, all my a/c to d/c converters for the computer and cameras, and sun block I never used etc.

On our trip Mar. 19th we had no trouble at the Az. airport, but on our way back from Fl. they weighted everything......we had to move stuff from on suitcase to another, and then they would weigh it again, it was really exhasting, even if it was only 2-pounds over, we had to reback it in another case, the gal even made a remark that we could go inside the terminal and purchase another suitcase, my answer to her was "I thought you only allowed two checked bags per person"? Somehow we managed to get things moved around enough that they all weighed 50lbs. or under. Guess it's time to get new bags that aren't as big, I know when you curbside check your luggage they used to never say anything if you had more than 2 pieces per person. You never know anymore..

Glad we're not the only ones who have had to reshuffle stuff from bags to carry on to meet the weight restrictions! At LAX we had to remove 10 lbs. (or pay). The AA agent weighed it again and this time it "passed". We then had to wheel the bags to the screening machine (not to be seen again until our destination)...on the way to the screening machine we just put the same 10 lbs. of stuff back into the bag again. :D

I would just so pay the fine and be done with it.

The last few times we have flown there have been a lot of upset people having to pay the extra charge for over weight. Some really let the ticket agents know, (as if they can do anything about it). "Nobody told me" was the big excuss.
Shows they don't look at their ticket information.
We have changed our way of thinking on our luggage and so far so good.

Nor do they probbly get out much, either...

I think we may have to start a list of packing hints to keep luggage weight UNDER 50 lbs.

I now weigh each piece before I leave the house so I don't have to repack at the airport. I also put alot of items in ziplock bags so if I need to go into my luggage I can shift things without much hassle. I don't use those vacumn bags any more - you get more into the luggage but then it's sure to be overweight!

It's the shoes!

Are limits 70 lbs. if flying domestic, but, returning international? I've asked twice, and, as expected, got two different answers, both today, same airline!

Our last trip by airplane I weighed our largest bags at home to be sure they were not over the weight limit. I only wish more people did this as we waited and waited to check in due to other people repacking at the airport check-in in order to not have to pay for overweight luggage. I have given away our largest suitcase so we no longer has one that screams "weigh me".

Anthony, no. And folks need to be careful with international flights. Airlines count Vancouver as a domestic airport.

Supposedly, when connecting internationally, all domestic legs are covered under the international limit. EXCEPT when you have a stopover. We were frantic last year for VOF when we added a flight from Rome to Venice. Then, we had to live under European restrictions which are much worse than US. Luckily, they didn't even check at Elite check in.

Just a suggestion for the return trip from the ship. This is only good for Mariner and Voyager. I weigh our bags before putting them out for pick-up, using the scale in the gym. Works every time! Do the same at home before we leave, using the bathroom scale.

Thanks Marc....I was certain that was the case!!

50 lb. per bag it is!!!!

My experience is that you are allowed 70lbs for international travel v. 50lbs for domestic. I even checked the website for United before our last cruise. Same for USAirways.

It's pretty hard to get above 60 pounds in a suitcase that is of legal size. It is the books that put Joanna over the top traveling to Alaska. She buys those paperbacks that aren't mostly air. It's only about $25 for a few extra pounds, which I have paid in the past for my future daughter in law. (How could I tell HER to repack, I am in training as a good mother in law!)

I always weigh my luggage before leaving on my "doctor's-type" scale at home. Yes, it is annoying be in line behind one who is over the weight limit.

My "Weigh ME" bag is so new; I bought it for the Alaskan cruise on Mariner. I had packed it SO well for the Disney trip, every single inch was perfect. Then I remembered to weigh it; it was ONLY 17# overweight. I drug out the next bag. I've just bought two that aren't as heavy before I pack them, and hopefully that will help. But I can't bear to give my monster bag away.

My downfall is the paperback books, too. I can't stand to have less than a half-dozen to fall back on, just in case. And now that Mark's vision is impaired, we travel with a magnifying lamp for him and his over-size print books.

We did what KATHY Z has done
We gave away are large luggage and have gone to each of us having a middle size and then a tote type that we can check through and attach to the middle size one for walking. (Shoes go in that one). Then we can each still have a small carry on.
Big problem with the big ones is how many pounds they are BEFORE you even start loading them.
Like I have said before. "I hope you like what I have on cuz you are going to see it again"

That's funny Jim!

Gee, only one shoe? I have a suitcase JUST for shoes. My luggage tag always says HEAVY and I have yet to pay. I took one suitcase to Washington/Dulles last week that was 56 lbs. No charge.

I have the same problem. My brand new luggage - the 26" one - weighs almost 17 lbs empty. That's what the ease of wheels buys you now. Think how I paniced when I was only allowed 44 lbs for Egypt (including purse) & I had London weather clothes with me also. I was so surprised at the airport. Bag only weighed 40 lbs. Felt like 75 to me!

I just got new luggage and didn't even think about the weight of it when purchasing it, guess I will go stick it on the scale!

By the way, I know carry ons have a size limit, do they have a weight limit as well?

Karen....no weight limit that I know of on carry ons - of course you have to CARRY them! :ohmy:

Actually, my carry on has wheels too - don't want to carry anything!

carryon weight limit is 40 pounds, at least on delta. I have never seen one weighed. But if it looks bad, it might get weighed.

Thanks Marc and Margo. Sometimes, Mark's carry on can get quite heavy with all my hair supplies packed in it :)

BTW, do you know that camera and photo equipment does not count as carry on? You can carry that on in addition to a regular carry on and one personal item, like a purse or briefcase. Food does not count as carry on either.

The above reasons are why I always try to drive. My daughter lives in Santa Monica so I can leave my car with her and go in and out of LA with all the luggage I want. On MINT I can bring all my camera gear for a change.

Then again she may move.

Yea:
Chip can set up and do "Family Photos"
since he is bring his camera equipment.
LCT/CC family is very large so bring your wide angle lens!!

This just gave me a great idea.. we should invent the Weighs itself luggage..
luggage w/ built in scale.. overlimit it could make a noise or light up..or tell you how much fine you will have to pay

Your putting me to work?? No way!!!!!!!!!!!! Honestly. That's not my forte in photography. I don't do weddings for that reason. I thought about getting a job as a ship's photographer, for about 5 minutes. I hate lining people up and saying chesse.

If I get a good picture of you won't know it until you see it.