Gear friendly Domestic US Airline

Hi,

Can anyone recommend an airline operating within the US that is gear friendly or has reasonable excess baggage allowances?

My approximate flights at this stage include:

LA --> San Fran

Vegas --> Florida

Florida --> LA

Apologies if this has already been posted but I did a search and couldn't find anything about US domestic.

thanks, damien

Based on our trip to the USA a couple of years ago I wouldn't recommend American Airlines. Of the five legs of the trip we flew with them they lost at least one of our bags on three legs and on the last leg we had $3,000 worth of camera gear stolen out of a checked bag.

US Domestic Airlines are all the same and quite liberal with baggage allowances. Definitely less restrictive than on international flights. For checked bags - 2 bags per person, for carry on - as long as it fits in the overhead ( they don't weigh it) and a second bag like computer bag. I'm not sure it makes any difference which airline when it comes to bags lost etc, theft etc, as other agencies like TSA handle bags as well.

Generally I fly Delta in the US who cover Florida to the West Coast well. Southwest Airlines are probably the most efficient airline.

Can anyone recommend an airline operating within the US that is gear friendly or has reasonable excess baggage allowances?

Damien,

I would not call any air carrier as gear friendly. I have not flow since last year, so things may have loosened up a bit. I would not rely on a carrier giving you a pass if your gear is not within allowances. While it is true that I have never had my carry-on weighted, and I have gotten a pass on slightly over weight checked baggage in the past, American Airlines was now very strict on enforcement.

I have included links to the AA site. Most carriers have rules like this. You may want to check the Southwest Airlines allowances.

Regards,

Bob

http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/tra...chorEvent=false

http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/tra...chorEvent=false

US Domestic Airlines are all the same and quite liberal with baggage allowances. Definitely less restrictive than on international flights. For checked bags - 2 bags per person, for carry on - as long as it fits in the overhead ( they don't weigh it) and a second bag like computer bag. I'm not sure it makes any difference which airline when it comes to bags lost etc, theft etc, as other agencies like TSA handle bags as well.

Generally I fly Delta in the US who cover Florida to the West Coast well. Southwest Airlines are probably the most efficient airline.

Have carries stopped charging for domestic checked baggage?

Southwest is the only carrier I know of that allows two checked bags with no additional fees unless you are a frequent flyer. They'll also be one of the cheapest fares you'll find. United will have the most flights to each destination.

I apologize for the wrong info; I guess I always fly as a frequent flyer (mostly Delta) which allows me two bags though I usually only need one. Otherwise I believe it's one bag up to 50lbs for $15. United may be a little limited to Florida, they cover the West Coast better.

I've been lucky never having had anything stolen, and nothing worse than a bag delay to Vegas once, within the US. I carry 90% of my camera gear and my laptop etc in a ThinkTank bag, and then my dive gear and clothes go in one bag checked, which has always come in under the maximum weight.

For most US carriers - 1st bag $15 (maybe still free on a few), 2nd bag $25, 3rd bag $100. Overweight bag is $100 >50<70#. Some may vary a bit but this seems to be pretty standard.

Thanks guys. Those rates sound reasonable. I'm still hurting after my Thailand trip last year where I copped $700 in excess baggage on a $900 ticket!

I think I'll go with southwest as it's been recommend several times.

cheers, damien