Do you carry-on if possible?

I'm flying UC SFO->LHR on Wednesday. I just completed a "trial-pack" and discovered my wife and I can get by with a mere 18 pounds each in a US carry-on approprietly-sized bag (the AirBoss from http://www.redoxx.com). For a 2 1/2 week trip at that.

We weren't intending on carrying on our main bags. It didn't seem right in UC, especially as the bags should come off early in Heathrow.

Am I crazy to not always try to carry on? Since this is a direct flight, I don't think we'll have trouble loosing our bags, but I may be wrong (or foolishly optimistic). Any benefit at LHR in terms of getting through customs more quickly if you're not waiting for your bag, etc.? Or should I just relax and let Virgin take care of it all.

Personally I carry as little on the plane as possible. I know it happens but I have not lost a bag in transit since the 70's. To my mind it feels great to be unencumbered for a few hours even though I am sure I could carry it all in the cabin. I guess the question is what is more important - peace of mind and a 10 minute'ish' saving at baggage claim or not having to carry the bags onto the plane.

Of course when I travel with the family not checking luggage becomes an impossibility - my wife's clothes alone would exceed our cabin allowance. [B)] .. Thanks Dear.

Phil

Though when travelling on business I sometimes do use only carry on (have to have the laptop with me anyway and am usually on short trips) when leisure travelling as a family we like to take as little on board as possible. Less to haul around the airport (not being lounge enabled), and less stress about getting to the seat to bag the space in "your" overhead locker. (On one flight back from NYC there was a near fist fight when two overshopped groups came into conflict - the group who boarded slightly later found their lockers already full and unceremoniously dumped the contents into the aisle).

Paul

Originally posted by pjh
Though when travelling on business I sometimes do use only carry on (have to have the laptop with me anyway and am usually on short trips) when leisure travelling as a family we like to take as little on board as possible. Less to haul around the airport (not being lounge enabled), and less stress about getting to the seat to bag the space in "your" overhead locker. (On one flight back from NYC there was a near fist fight when two overshopped groups came into conflict - the group who boarded slightly later found their lockers already full and unceremoniously dumped the contents into the aisle).

Paul

Pretty much sums up my attitude. Business trips I never check baggage and pack everything in a carry-on. I have managed 12 days out of a carry-on with no problem. It's amazing what you find you don't need!

Holidays are a different matter and if you're going to check a large suitcase, you might as well put as much in it as possible and carry on as little as possible. With the family, though, I will still usually carry on one small case with enough to get us through the first night after landing if the cases do go astray.

Chris

I always Carry on where possible - it just makes the arrival so much easier - I can just about go 14 days or so on carry on but I generally buy toiletries etc at my destination and leave them behind..