travel Q? does a diaper bag count as a carry on?

christiney06

just trying to figure out if we can manage with one suitcase and a REALLY big carry on and a diaper bag. thanks.

christin3580

Yes but they are more lieanient with you if you have LO...

what airline.

 

kklickka

If you are traveling with a child you can take one carry on, one personal bag (like a purse) and one additional bag that is carry-on size.

christiney06

Virgin American.  phew...that helps a lot.  thanks again.

Mysterious_Mama

it counts as a personal item, as long as you can fit it under the seat in front of you.  most airlines allow one carry on and one personal item - laptop bag, purse, tote bag, etc.  so i would think it wouldn't count as long as it isn't really big.

2bejunebride06

No, it is considered your personal item.  Most, if not all, airlines allow you one carry-on and one personal item.  I have flown a lot with DD (Delta, AirTran, Southwest, and a few smaller carriers) and no one has ever said anything, even when we exceed the 1 carry-on, 1 personal item limit. 

christin3580

awww I was hoping jetblue... I would have put a note in your PNR to help get ya through security... GL

SCBride_Oct2004

Technically a diaper bag can be counted as a personal item just like a briefcase or purse and not an actual piece of carry-on luggage.  Depends on the airline though I'm sure.  I haven't flown since the summer of 2007 with my first son.  I actually brought a large back pack that I got at TJMaxx that has a handle and wheels like the little carry-on suitcases and other luggage do.  It was roomier than your average jansport type book bag.  I was able to stuff my diaper bag in the book bag!  So the backpack counted as my personal item, not a carry-on since I wasn't carrying the diaper bag and book bag separately. That way I was able to bring a small carry-on item to put in overhead storage too.

You could each wear a backpack that should count as each of your personal items and hopefully fit your diaper bag in one of them and still be able to bring on one or two carry-ons if you're each allowed one.  The other benefit of doing this is maneuvering through a plane and airports is easier with a backpack on your back rather than a purse or large diaper back hanging on your shoulder.  Diaper bags and other shoulder bags make it harder to navigate through the aisles and just juggling all your things and tending to your child in the airport too.  Usually you're allowed one carry-on and one personal item per person.  If you needed to just while having to fly, you could divide the contents of the diaper bag between the two backpacks in case it was too full to fit inside of one.  I hope this helps!

christiney06

christin3580:

awww I was hoping jetblue... I would have put a note in your PNR to help get ya through security... GL

aww....thanks,that is sweet.  thanks for the good luck wishes too, I think we will need it !!

 

Justinlove

Check with the airline.  We fly Delta and it is not really "counted" if you are traveling with an infant.  Just for those traveling this holiday season, here is the policy from the Delta website:

A fare-paying passenger may carry one bag plus one personal item on the plane. The following infant items may be brought in addition to the one bag carry-on allowance:

• Booster seats or other infant seats
Bassinets
• Diaper bags

As a carry-on item, it must meet our carry-on size restrictions.

The bassinet or infant seat must be properly secured by a seat belt if stored on an aircraft seat.

Justinlove

Because I was curious, I looked up the VA policy :

 In addition to the one carry-on bag, you may carry on one of the following personal articles:

• Handbag or pocketbook
• Coat or wrap
• Umbrella or walking stick
• Camera or binoculars
• Briefcase or laptop computer case
• Infant bag
• Infant/child safety seat used to transport the infant/child. If the child has a reserved seat and will be using the safety seat during the flight, it must be a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved safety seat.