Carry On or Check In?
Before flying you may debate many times whether to carry on your luggage or check it in. Here's some insight to help you in the best choice for you.
Advantages of Checking In
Checking in seems to be the best option when your trip is around a week or more. You don't have to worry about what to take and what not to take, just pack it all in, as long as you don't exceed the 50lb limit.
- Fit lots of stuff in your suitcase
- You don't have to lug a bag around
- No worries to fit your luggage when boarding the plane
- Phew, you can take hair care and skin care without being stopped at security
Advantages of Carry On Carry on is best for a light travel. Business trips and weekend vacations (especially those Vegas trips!) are perfect to take a carry on and travel fast n' light. Move in and out of the airport faster and never have to worry about your baggage. Just make sure your bag is carry on size to fit on board (24" x 16" x 10" or smaller is a good size, each airline can vary thought).
- Travel light and easy
- No wait to check in your bag, nor the wait to pick it up at your destination
- Have access to everything in your bag your whole trip
So what's the verdict in carry on vs. check in? Well it depends on your type of trip of course. However, a few cons can help you determine that answer. Although you can't pack a dresser with carry on and you have to leave a few toiletry items behind that are larger than 3.5 ounces. Checking in has a downside that seems to be much worse. First of all, most airlines nowadays are charging to check in. At around $25 a bag per way (usually Delta, United, Continental, etc), unless you're using an awesome company like Southwest, you're paying around $50 just to have your clothes come with you. Instead, you could of spent that on a nice meal for two while on vacation. Take your pick. Secondly, even worse, is the risk of losing your luggage. Sometime it's lost forever, more commonly it's just delayed, but delayed a day or even more can really throw off your vacation. For those two reasons we lean a bit more towards carry on. Yet when you have a longer trip and you just can't resist taking those extra shoes or 10 pairs of everything, it's not up for negotiable, check in the answer.
