Flying with a suit on American Airlines

[appleonius]

The threads I found relevant to this subject are outdated (2004). With the new policies, has anyone flown with a carry on & used a garment bag for a suit? I've read on other forums where this is ok but when I called AA, the CSR said the garment bag counts as a carry on & not as a personal item. What's the word from fellow pre-dents?

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[MissionDental]

What kind of garmet bag do u have? The "larger" suitcase type or just the vinyl "sleeve" you get from department stores?

I flew southwest airlines with a vinyl suit garmet bag as a personal item. They even have a small closet where you can ask flight attendants to hang it up for you.

 

[armorshell]

Couple years ago when I was interviewing I brought my suit/garmant bag combo on southwest, and they told me
I wouldn't be able to carry on both OR check one of the bags (I can't remember why).

Luckily it all worked out, I just took my suit out of the bag right there and put it on over my clothes and wore it all the way to New York.

 

[armorshell]

For clarification, mine was the suitcase type.

 

[Bruinlove]

I'm not sure what the AA's policy is, but both Delta and Virgin count a garment bag as a carry-on.

 

[DrReo]

I was able to check into NWA with my garment bag and backpack. Best off calling...

 

[pbrooks]

The threads I found relevant to this subject are outdated (2004). With the new policies, has anyone flown with a carry on & used a garment bag for a suit? I've read on other forums where this is ok but when I called AA, the CSR said the garment bag counts as a carry on & not as a personal item. What's the word from fellow pre-dents?

i have flown AA a couple times and i had a large carryon, (i didnt check anything) a purse, and my garment bag, i have had about 4 flights with them and no one has said anything to me. I figured if i didnt ask about it no one would even notice, and they didnt
I dont think that should be a major worry for you. If they do say something just say it is counting as your purse or seomthing (im assuming you are a guy)

 

[yayforcoffee]

Same as the guy above me. Flew AA last week, brought large duffel bag and garment bag also. I think they treat garment bags like large coats people otherwise wear, because there's a closet where dozens of passengers were hanging their coats, suits, etc. You'll be fine.

 

[appleonius]

Sweet! thanks for all the help/replies! just to clarify, it's more like this garment bag but made of a heavier cloth-like material large enough for 1-2 suits.
I guess I'll take the risk!

 

[allenmarchallo]

I flew A.A back in Oct to my interviews......I had a carry-on and used a garment bag for my suit....Actually, if u ask them, they will let you put your suit in the forward compartment right when u step on the plane (it's like a closet where there is room for about 6-7 suit-bags easy....There's one on BOTH sides)

On my return flight, there wasn't room 4 mine b/c it was full (since I ride economy & was 1 of the last people on the plane).........No biggie....I just asked the flight attendant if I could place my suit in the 1st class hanger space....**Room for about 15 suit-bags easily**....First she was like, "umm, it's only for 1st class passengers"----then I said, "well, it's not like they are utilizing this space, it's just a freakin suit!!".......


Maybe b/c I'm black & looked "pissed" (b/c I had just paid $7.00 for a REGULAR/crappy hotdog )---but she got embarrassed, & in an attempt to not make a scene, she let me hang my bag there..

 

[diplo123]

Can I ask why you would want to carry it with you during the flight? I think it would be more pragmatic and safe to just put it in your luggage (and change at the airport if you have to). I had to use a pretty big luggage to my suit doesn't get folded but it worked well.

 

[allenmarchallo]

Can I ask why you would want to carry it with you during the flight? I think it would be more pragmatic and safe to just put it in your luggage (and change at the airport if you have to). I had to use a pretty big luggage to my suit doesn't get folded but it worked well.

Usually when u fly to interviews, it's for the next day..(early morning or so)....Personally, I didn't want to wrinkle my suit after I just had it dry cleaned by putting it in luggage...Besides, u run the risk of the airline "misplacing" it..(which would suck, come interview time)....This is mainly why I try and keep everything important close by me.....

Hanging it a garment bag is usually the best way...It stays perfect and doesn't need to be folded in any way...

 

[AFdentalgirl]

I just flew on American Airlines on Sunday and Monday and both times I had the vinyl type garment bag with my suit in it, as well as a backpack and a purse. Nobody said anything to me! They just hung up my suit in the closet.

 

[Platypus]

I am pretty sure you are allowed two carry-ons...You can actually hang your suit at the front of the aircraft provided it is in a suit bag.

 

[dr bojangles]

not sure of your plans, but i flew with the suit on. it was dry-cleaned and nice, and transit to the interview didn't really wrinkle anything. i was just sure to be very careful, e.g. drinking coffee while sitting forward in the chair!
my carry on was just a backpack, made for a very fast/efficient trip.

 

[BalooTheBear]

I fly AA regularly with a backpack and a garment bag...
when you get on the plane, there should be a closet before you pass the 1st class people. put the bag in the closet real quick and youre set

 

[prydA]

out of the 8 or so flights ive been on, i havent had a problem brining a small suitcase and a garment bag. one thing that annoyed me tho are the liquids i cant bring on... sometimes i slide by with a small bottle os lotion and sometimes they make me throw toothpaste away haha