Flying Continental bag dimension differ by 3-4 inches

[Avero]

Quick question.

I am flying continental airlines, and one of my suitcases is 65-66 inches in dimensions, while they say max is 62 inches.

Would they make me pay extra $100 (thats their fee for oversize items) for the 3-4 inches difference?

[notanexpert]

All depends who you get at check-in. They just eyeball the bag, and if it seems to them that it is too big, they take out measuring tape and if it is over max allowed, you will likely get charged. You could get lucky and the agent will not measure if he/she thinks it looks not too big, or you could get lucky and even if it comes up to a couple of inches over, they will still not charge you. Is it a very early flight (6:30am)? On Sunday maybe? Early on Sundays there sometimes is no supervisor to open the safe... which means they don't charge for anything because they can't issue receipts...

[Pete_Coach]

Quick question.

I am flying continental airlines, and one of my suitcases is 65-66 inches in dimensions, while they say max is 62 inches.

Would they make me pay extra $100 (thats their fee for oversize items) for the 3-4 inches difference?

Yes they would, especially if the bag is stuffed and weighs a lot.

[gmark2000]

I have never seen the measuring tape brought out for checked baggage. Something obscenely oversize that has to be taking to special baggage is usually dinged accordingly.

[Avero]

Thanks for your answers, come to think of it, you're right all the times i have been to airport never seen a measuring tape brought out :) thank you for your answers once again

[notanexpert]

Thanks for your answers, come to think of it, you're right all the times i have been to airport never seen a measuring tape brought out :) thank you for your answers once again

I have seen a measuring tape on MY luggage, and I'm at the airport often enough...

[Pete_Coach]

I have also seen a measuring tape.
In Canada, I have seen it at Westjet counters. I have also seen Westjet gate personnel make customers check in the carry on luggage as it did not fit into the device at the gate.
In the US, I have seen Southwest measure bags at check in and Continental in Europe (Italy).
It seems to be becoming a revenue generator. I would suspect that if there is a buck to be made, you will see it more often.

[gmark2000]

Carry-on luggage is wholly another matter and I know Pete Coach has a gripe over people bringing rollerboards into the cabin as he's mentioned it ad nauseum here.
http://www.qantas.com.au/img/page_graphics/graphics/flying_with_us/before_you_travel/img_suitcase_dimensions.gif
At check-in, the usual suspects for oversize are hockey bags, bicycle boxes, AV equipment in ATA cases, musical instruments in SKB cases, miscellaneous sports equipment and cardboard boxes of non-descript dimensions. These are the items that pose the red flag to check-in agents and those cardboard boxes will get measured.

Traditional structured luggage rarely exceed 29" height and if they are fully-packed with clothes, they will be overweight anyways. The gate agents will weigh the suitcase foremost.

Large duffel bags in the magnitude of military sacks are scrutinized. Generally armed forces personnel are given the courtesy of the single large item because it's a single piece with their belongings in it.

40 inch duffels will raise an eyebrow, mostly again for their weight. They are difficult to measure because of their cylindrical barrel shape. The gate agent will not be calculating the circumference (pi times the diameter) because geometry is not usually in their skillset.

If someone wants to travel, maximizing the allowed linear measurements, the Philippino workers have it worked out to a system to bring back goodies to their loved ones. They have a perfect cube with the linear dimensions, thus adhering to the regulations.

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/7780/64505818dj8.jpg

I made my own compression sack to meet the 50lb, 62-inch requirements. It only weighs 2.5lbs.

http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/4735/p4143661arl8.jpg

A friend of mine made his own maximum sized carry-on bag.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1889/bagguageft8.jpg

[notanexpert]

A number of people made a good point about the weight. At just over max allowed dimensions, that suitcase better be packed with something VERY light, or it will be over the 50lb limit. They DO check the weight carefully, so you won't get away with overweight luggage for sure.