"Diaper bag" as third carry-on bag?
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: US/EU
"Diaper bag" as third carry-on bag?
Was just looking over United's rules for carry-on bags in preparation for an upcoming trip next week, when I noticed what could be a rather large loophole.
According to their Baggage Information page, United allows you to bring into the cabin one piece of luggage plus one personal bag, each of appropriate size. But if you look further down the page, it also states you may bring, in addition to these two items, a diaper bag. There is no mention of size limitation nor of needing a baby (or even diapers) to go with it. Looking online at diaper bags reveals some of them can be quite large, at least the size of a personal bag.
United also has another page called Infant and child articles, which states:
Customers may carry the following infant and child articles on board, in addition to the maximum carry-on baggage allowance:
* Diaper bag
* Government-approved child seat (infant carrying seat or car seat)
Has anyone ever attempted to board a plane with a diaper bag, sans baby and diapers, in addition to carry-on and personal bags? I guess you could always claim it's for adult diapers...
According to their Baggage Information page, United allows you to bring into the cabin one piece of luggage plus one personal bag, each of appropriate size. But if you look further down the page, it also states you may bring, in addition to these two items, a diaper bag. There is no mention of size limitation nor of needing a baby (or even diapers) to go with it. Looking online at diaper bags reveals some of them can be quite large, at least the size of a personal bag.
United also has another page called Infant and child articles, which states:
Customers may carry the following infant and child articles on board, in addition to the maximum carry-on baggage allowance:
* Diaper bag
* Government-approved child seat (infant carrying seat or car seat)
Has anyone ever attempted to board a plane with a diaper bag, sans baby and diapers, in addition to carry-on and personal bags? I guess you could always claim it's for adult diapers...
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 649
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From: Edinburgh
In my days as a check in agent someone once tried to check in a baby stroller. We had to charge him extra for it as he wasn't actually travelling with a baby. That wasn't UA though, but another star carrier, if that makes a difference.
I'd say anyone trying this is more than likely going to be challenged as these extra allowances are there for people who are travelling with a baby and need access to baby related things in flight. Yes it doesn't specifically say you need to be with a baby but it uses the words "in addition to the maximum" which implies you need to have a baby in order to get the extra allowance. Of course in this day and age no doubt they will only change the wording once it leads to a law suit, which probably isn't that far off.
I'd say anyone trying this is more than likely going to be challenged as these extra allowances are there for people who are travelling with a baby and need access to baby related things in flight. Yes it doesn't specifically say you need to be with a baby but it uses the words "in addition to the maximum" which implies you need to have a baby in order to get the extra allowance. Of course in this day and age no doubt they will only change the wording once it leads to a law suit, which probably isn't that far off.
Joined: May 2009
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From: Confoederatio Helvetica
In their contacts the airlines set out the free baggage allowances for their passengers. Part of these contracts include provisions for infants.
When setting out their rules they do not quote the legal gobbldy goop but attempt to explain what a passenger travelling with a family can reasonably expect.
In this case they have failed as the diaper bag is for passengers younger than 2 (on the date of departure).
Of course adults can indeed carry a diaper bag on board, but it counts toward their free allowance.
Why would you want to carry on more? Not only do you not have three hands (assumption here), but your actions inconvinience others that follow the rules.
When setting out their rules they do not quote the legal gobbldy goop but attempt to explain what a passenger travelling with a family can reasonably expect.
In this case they have failed as the diaper bag is for passengers younger than 2 (on the date of departure).
Of course adults can indeed carry a diaper bag on board, but it counts toward their free allowance.
Why would you want to carry on more? Not only do you not have three hands (assumption here), but your actions inconvinience others that follow the rules.
