POE next week! what should i expect?

[cdn_gewels 0]

That sucks! I wonder if this is also a secret ploy to force us to pay the $15 each way to check a bag . . .

Most American carriers charge fees for checked bags. WestJet allows 2 pieces free of charge while Air Canada will start charging for the 2nd bag for transborder flights starting this January.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

They may ask you a few questions but it shouldn't be anything too intimidating or anything you can't answer very easily. It shouldn't be any kind of interrogation, that's for sure. In the past some people have been asked a few questions about their previous trips to the US, various things about their fiances, questioned about any past criminal activity (or lack thereof) and assorted information regarding when and where the wedding is going to be. If you don't have any overstays or a criminal past there would be no reason to give you problems.

In a way the new carry-on rules make me happy. There is nothing more annoying than having to wait to get off a plan because someone wanted to bring one of those big roller bags on and can't get it out of the bin. I'm very impatient and like to get in and get out! I think it has something to do with my claustrophobia. I always put my carry on under my seat so I can grab it and run! But, I'm a little concerned about them limiting the purse dimensions... I've always been a big purse kinda gal. Would they really make you check it if it was a little bigger than that piece of paper?

[cdn_gewels 0]

Its just wierd I suppose because the last time I flew (october last year) they allowed my bag on no problems. Its right on the side guideline with a collapsable handle. I've had to check it on a few of the smaller craft where their overhead bins were smaller than the airlines poilicy, but never had an issue with it before. Its just like a mini version of my big luggage. Does this mean it wouldnt be allowed on as carry on anymore?

Unfortunately, the rules changed just a few days ago because of the incident that happened on Christmas Day. So, it's a no-go on the roller bag or even those smaller duffel bags that match the rollers. Every day when I go to work, I have to be breifed on the new changes.... it's crazy.

Honestly, now you have 1 personal item only:

SMALL purse OR laptop bag with laptop inside OR small bag with medication OR musical instrument OR baby bag as long as you have an infant. That's it. Take your pick. Crazy times. But - it does make for fairly quick boarding without people taking so much time to stow away all their stuff!!!

[Arabella 4]

Most American carriers charge fees for checked bags. WestJet allows 2 pieces free of charge while Air Canada will start charging for the 2nd bag for transborder flights starting this January.

Right I know. What I mean is I used to just carry on my luggage so I could save the fee. Now it looks like I am forced to check my bags and pay the fee.

[cdn_gewels 0]

I've always been a big purse kinda gal. Would they really make you check it if it was a little bigger than that piece of paper?

Yup. Security will send them back out of the Customs Hall - so we have to be pretty strict at the counters. It was a real pain trying to explain this to many, many ladies today. They aren't even allowing "man-purses" for men! (At least our airport's security agents confirmed this today.)

The Customs Officers have also reminded us about the size restriction. So, they're looking too!!!

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Yup. Security will send them back out of the Customs Hall - so we have to be pretty strict at the counters. It was a real pain trying to explain this to many, many ladies today. They aren't even allowing "man-purses" for men! (At least our airport's security agents confirmed this today.)

The Customs Officers have also reminded us about the size restriction. So, they're looking too!!!

Well that must be annoying! Nobody is throwing my Coach into a cargo hold! Are there any exact dimensions to look at or are you just playing it by eye? It would just be nice to know to what exact size we are restricted to. I tried to google it but couldn't find anything specific.

[cdn_gewels 0]

Right I know. What I mean is I used to just carry on my luggage so I could save the fee. Now it looks like I am forced to check my bags and pay the fee.

Arabella, I believe that this new restriction is imposed by Transport Canada for flights bound for the US from Canada. I don't believe that flying within the US has the same rules as of yet. I know my fiance flew within the US to visit his family for the holidays and did not face these restrictions.

So, if you fly with an American carrier within the US to visit your fiance (as I believe you then drive across the border) you won't have to worry about this. Just keep an ear out if this happens within the US too!

[Arabella 4]

Arabella, I believe that this new restriction is imposed by Transport Canada for flights bound for the US from Canada. I don't believe that flying within the US has the same rules as of yet. I know my fiance flew within the US to visit his family for the holidays and did not face these restrictions.

So, if you fly with an American carrier within the US to visit your fiance (as I believe you then drive across the border) you won't have to worry about this. Just keep an ear out if this happens within the US too!

Ok. That's cool. We fly from Orlando to Buffalo and vise versa so yeah we will follow the rules for flying within the US.

[cdn_gewels 0]

Yup. Security will send them back out of the Customs Hall - so we have to be pretty strict at the counters. It was a real pain trying to explain this to many, many ladies today. They aren't even allowing "man-purses" for men! (At least our airport's security agents confirmed this today.)

The Customs Officers have also reminded us about the size restriction. So, they're looking too!!!

Well that must be annoying! Nobody is throwing my Coach into a cargo hold! Are there any exact dimensions to look at or are you just playing it by eye? It would just be nice to know to what exact size we are restricted to. I tried to google it but couldn't find anything specific.

We do it by eye... but I had to use a paper as my guide for some questionable purses today. We're kinda the first line of defense for what is accepted and what is not, so we try to catch what we can to avoid delays with security. I can't say I saw any security agents measuring stuff when I went through today, but it took me just a few mins to pass so I don't know more than what I saw during those few minutes.

I think that any official site may just say "small purse," but during our breifing, we were given papers with the acceptable items and they added a note about the paper-size guideline so we could have an idea as to what they consider "small."

[Krikit 1,164]

Most American carriers charge fees for checked bags. WestJet allows 2 pieces free of charge while Air Canada will start charging for the 2nd bag for transborder flights starting this January.

That's why I loooove Southwest. Two pieces of luggage up to 50 lbs.... no charge.

Ok. That's cool. We fly from Orlando to Buffalo and vise versa so yeah we will follow the rules for flying within the US.

What airline do you fly with, Arabella?