Thread: American Airlines and Luggage

So I called American Airlines to verify how much luggage I can take with me. I am told 2 checked bags, 70 lbs each?? 1 carry-on that must fit under the seat or in the overhead and 1 bag/purse/briefcase/laptop. This seems sifferent from what I have heard from students i.e. 2 checked bags TOTAL wright 70 lbs., and only 1 carry-on. Did I miss the mental boat or what? Any comments?

I called aa sometime back when I bought my ticket. American airlines will let u carry 2 check bags 70lbs each for domestic flights. When I told the guy I thought it was only one check at 70lbs he checked and said that was correct.. So 1 carry on at 45lbs and 1 check bag at 70lbs. You could probably get away with 2 70lbs till u hit San Juan then you would be in trouble.

I have a wife and two kids here on the island and we have been back and forth to the states three times....each time we brought 2 BAGS EACH under 70lbs and have NOT had a single problem checking them to dominica. I've even brought U-haul boxes (under 70lbs) filled to the brim as 1 of my 2 allowed bags. The u-haul boxes are great...stuff them full of everything...we have not had a single problem with customs in Dominica either.

clarification...each time we came to the island we were able to bring 2 bags....for EACH person and EACH bag can weigh up to 70lbs!! this is fact. i have not had a single problem with A.A. or Customs in Dominica, as mentioned above. The only problem I have had is that some of the bags were left in San Juan do to weight restrictions on the ATR's..however, the bags do make it on the next inboung Eagle flight.

I contacted American Airlines and once they heard I was going to Dominica, they told me the total for both pieces cannot exceed 70lbs. If I were traveling elsewhere, each bag could be 70lbs. Apparently the plane we take from PR to the island is what restricts us. Also, the dimensions of the luggage cannot exceed 62 inches (length + width + height). The carry on cannot exceed 45 lbs and 45 inches (length + width + height). We are allowed one personal item, such as a lap top.

My luggage dimensions calculate to about 65 inches. I called AA and I guess I could be charged $100 if they catch that. If I exceed the weight, $100 can be charged too.

Ive had trouble with the luggage being over 70 lbs before.

Officially, its 2 bags that total 70lbs together.

When you see the plane you'll be riding you'll understand.

Last semester my kid was stopped at LAX baggage check-in and prevented from checking in 2 suitcases at 70 lbs.each. The agent told my kid that some check-in agents don't realize your flying to Dominica, they mistakenly assume it's the Dominican Republic which has different rules for luggaghe capacity. I ended up sending the 2nd suitcase via Amerijet the following week (after loading it up with 120 lbs of other goodies).

Butt.....On that same flight two of my kid's friends (Ross students) made it thru baggage check-in with 2 suitcases each at 70 lbs per suitcase. They were checked-in by a different ticket agent.

I have read posts that this same situation has happened at San Juan airport, Puerto Rico. If they refuse your 2nd suitcase there there's no one to take it back home for you.

Bottom line: You might get away with it but have someone with you that can take one of the suitcases back home if you get stuck.

The mix up usually occurs when you call AA and ask the luggage question...if you are traveling within the US or US territory, the wt. limit is more liberal...but if you go AA on and international flight, the limit is 70 pounds for checked luggage per person. You can have up to 2 checked bags, but they can only total 70 lbs.

Carry on limit is usually 30 lbs., but it must fit the dimensions that are printed on the back of your ticket.

Dru

It's people like you that cause the rest of us to have bags held back to arrive in a later flight. Then we get the pleasure of paying a local taxi to go get it.

Hope you aren't thinking of taking all the stuff back home to the states. Wait till you get weighed at the airport in DOminica. The are very strict when you leave the island. They also have avery interesting little room where you must say what you are taking out of the country > I am convinced some interesting monitary transactions take place in t hat room.