Flights - Personal Item - How far have you stretched it and got away with it?

doconner

I'm flying to Miami on Virgin Atlantic for a cruise, and have booked a carry-on bag only fare, and also includes a personal item.

I am perfectly content with keeping my carry-on bag to the stated dimensions, however I have always felt that people get away with quite a bit when it comes to the size of the personal item.

Virgin's site doesn't seem to specify a size limit for personal items, simply stating...

"Your handbag, small backpack/rucksack, pocketbook or purse, as you would normally use it (in other words, not just being used to contain items that would otherwise be regarded as baggage)"

...however again I've seen people bring on quite large shopping bags that seem to be their 'personal item'.


So beyond just conjecture, I'm wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with how far they have pushed the size of their personal item and got away with it, or just as interesting if anyone has been stopped and told their personal item is too large?

Thanks,
Duane

stormbreaker

I've not had experience of one personal item. However I was traveling on a budget airline with carry on luggage and a hand bag. The handbag was a very small envelope type for glasses, phone and purse only and was asked to put it in the case!

I have been quite astounded at what some manage to carry on.

Pollycat

Duane
Are you asking with the plan of 'pushing it' yourself if you get enough people who say they've managed to take the kitchen sink?
Or are you simply curious?

If the former, anecdotal evidence is worth diddly-squat because even if 999,999 people say they were fine, you could be the one who isn't.

Personally, I always stick within the maximum dimensions, weight and # of pieces in the knowledge that I won't be the one frantically trying to move stuff from my hand luggage to my hold case or trying to fit one bag into another.

I really don't care what other travellers do as long as I have room for my bag.

Ganga

doconner wrote: »

I'm flying to Miami on Virgin Atlantic for a cruise, and have booked a carry-on bag only fare, and also includes a personal item.

I am perfectly content with keeping my carry-on bag to the stated dimensions, however I have always felt that people get away with quite a bit when it comes to the size of the personal item.

Virgin's site doesn't seem to specify a size limit for personal items, simply stating...

"Your handbag, small backpack/rucksack, pocketbook or purse, as you would normally use it (in other words, not just being used to contain items that would otherwise be regarded as baggage)"

...however again I've seen people bring on quite large shopping bags that seem to be their 'personal item'.


So beyond just conjecture, I'm wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with how far they have pushed the size of their personal item and got away with it, or just as interesting if anyone has been stopped and told their personal item is too large?

Thanks,
Duane

Do you mean you are going on a cruise with only clothes that you can get in a carry on bag?

doconner

Pollycat wrote: »

Duane

Personally, I always stick within the maximum dimensions, weight and # of pieces ....

Pollycat, the point is that Virgin don't define the dimensions/weight of the personal item and are relatively vague. 'Small backpack/rucksack' can many different things to different people.

Ganga wrote: »

Do you mean you are going on a cruise with only clothes that you can get in a carry on bag?

Thats the plan. It's an NCL cruise so there is no need for formal wear, and I'm quite content to wash/rewear clothes.

Duane

Pollycat

doconner wrote: »

Pollycat, the point is that Virgin don't define the dimensions/weight of the personal item and are relatively vague. 'Small backpack/rucksack' can many different things to different people.

Then ask Virgin to 'define the dimensions/weight of the personal item'.
So... again...is it the former or the latter?

fifeken

Don't be "that guy" who is a pain in the butt at the airport/upon boarding. If you have to push the limits you should have checked a bag.

theonlywayisup

doconner wrote: »

Pollycat, the point is that Virgin don't define the dimensions/weight of the personal item and are relatively vague. 'Small backpack/rucksack' can many different things to different people.

https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/content/helpCentre/global/en/prepare-to-fly/baggage/hand-baggage.html

Hand baggage is included as part of all of our tickets, and depending on the cabin you might be able to take more than just the one bag. Whichever cabin you’re in, the size of your bag needs to be a maximum of 23 x 36 x 56cm (that's around 9 x 14 x 22 inches).

Economy and Premium

All passengers flying in our Economy or Premiumcabins can take one piece of hand baggage per person weighing up to 10kg (or 22lb).

Upper Class

All Upper Class passengers can take up to two pieces of hand baggage per person, weighing up to 12kg (26lb) for one bag, or up to 16kg (35lb) combined weight. So for example, you could take a 12kg bag and another little bag of 4kg.

No problems on that at all. Along with the additional piece that you seem to have a query with:

Additional items you can take with you

To help with baggage conundrums, we’ve compiled the following list to clarify the bits and bobs you can take onboard in addition to the allowances above:

Your handbag, small backpack/rucksack, pocketbook or purse, as you would normally use it (in other words, not just being used to contain items that would otherwise be regarded as baggage)
Your overcoat or wrap
Your umbrella or walking stick (these cannot be pointed or sharp)
A small camera and/or pair of binoculars
A reasonable amount of reading matter for the flight
An infant’s food (for consumption on the flight)
A small amount of duty free goods
Headphones for onboard use (they’ll need the standard 3.5mm jack).

You can at least assume the "small backpack/rucksack..." cannot exceed the criteria given for the main hand baggage, otherwise it would say "2 x".

doconner

Pollycat wrote: »

Then ask Virgin to 'define the dimensions/weight of the personal item'.
So... again...is it the former or the latter?

I find your comments less than helpful. If they had exact dimensions, they'd almost certainly be posted on the website. If I attempted to bother someone at a call centre, they would not be able to answer the question. If you think I can force them to define something that they have until now decided not to define, then I think you overestimate my sway with Virgin.

fifeken wrote: »

Don't be "that guy" who is a pain in the butt at the airport/upon boarding. If you have to push the limits you should have checked a bag.

I'm attempting to not be 'that guy', by finding out what people have had issues with. Clearly I'm allowed a personal item, I have a few different rucksacks that range in sizes.

Obviously, because it's ambiguously defined, different gate agents will of course can handle it differently, however if several people say 'I have used a 25 litre rucksack without issue' or 'I have used an M&S Jute bag'. then that'd give me confidence that I'm not going to be 'that guy.'

theonlywayisup wrote: »

https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/content/helpCentre/global/en/prepare-to-fly/baggage/hand-baggage.html



You can at least assume the "small backpack/rucksack..." cannot exceed the criteria given for the main hand baggage, otherwise it would say "2 x".

Yeah.. I think I can safely assume that it has to be smaller than the main hand bag, however i'm just not sure how much smaller it has to be.

--

Ganga

doconner wrote: »

Pollycat, the point is that Virgin don't define the dimensions/weight of the personal item and are relatively vague. 'Small backpack/rucksack' can many different things to different people.

Thats the plan. It's an NCL cruise so there is no need for formal wear, and I'm quite content to wash/rewear clothes.

Duane

So you can afford to go on a cruise but not pay for a suitecase in the hold of the aircraft:rotfl:,ok only tounge in cheek but why spoil your cruise for a couple of quid for luggage.

Pollycat

doconner wrote: »

I find your comments less than helpful.

I regret that you find my comments "less than helpful".
I thought the suggestion of asking the airline was a reasonable one.
But it seems you've already decided what they'd say.

I will leave you to sort out your personal item.