I'll be flying to Heathrow and, unfortunately, for my connections to ORD and back I've been relegated to Embraer RJ 145s. The particular problem is that I have some custom regalia to wear for an event while I'm in London that I would like to A. not go missing and B. arrive in reasonable condition.

I already have a large laptop backpack that I will have to carry for work, which obviously can't be checked with all the batteries in it. I will have travel companions so additional foot-wells and overhead space should be available.

Can anyone give best advice for what luggage will fit, not be gate checked, and get my belongings there in the best condition?

Standard roll aboards don't fit the RJ145, only backpacks and soft dufflebags of smaller size.

Roller carry on bags are always gate checked but I've had good luck with getting those back, but thankfully I haven't been on a RJ in awhile, since I don't fly American anymore (Delta whore these days).

Depending on the airline, you may not even be able to bring a rollaboard into the cabin (that's the way it was at my old airline).

If you can't find a suitable bag to bring on, you will have to "valet check" your rollaboard. But do not fret...you will get it back in the jetway at your destination.

If you valet your rollaboard, the worst that can happen is the gate check tag the rampers put on your bag before they place it in the rear cargo hold can get torn off in flight if things shift around. In that case, they have no choice but to send the bag to baggage claim (FAA regulation). That happens less than .001% of the time, so I wouldn't worry about it.

The overhead space is practically nil. I have had to remove my computers (they are large) from my computer bag and ramp check my computer bag. Small duffles and backpacks are the name of the game. What sort of regalia are you talking about? I can't remember if a 145 has a small closet, but you MIGHT be able to finesse some room in that.

Give yourself as much time as possible if you have to go through Heathrow security. It can be a circus.

quote:

Originally posted by Otto Pilot:
I can't remember if a 145 has a small closet, but you MIGHT be able to finesse some room in that.

Yes...it does have a closet, but it's for the crew. Their stuff usually takes up the bulk of the space and there is a weight limit.

quote:

Originally posted by erj_pilot:

quote:

Originally posted by Otto Pilot:
I can't remember if a 145 has a small closet, but you MIGHT be able to finesse some room in that.

Yes...it does have a closet, but it's for the crew. Their stuff usually takes up the bulk of the space and there is a weight limit.

Of course, but in my early days, we would very occasionally let a passenger use the closets on the t-props and RJ I flew.

You should be ok with them gate checking a bag and get it back at the gate when you land. I had to do this a few years back on a dive trip. I had expensive dive computers and regulators I wouldn’t put in my checked bags. Had no issues.

Gate check should not be a problem, make sure the agent gives you a tag for the bag.

I fly on United Express RJs - including the 145 - all the time from Moline (IL) to O'Hare and back. I always see other pax drop off their bags just before getting into the plane, and once we land they line up at the same spot to retrieve them.

My soft backpack fits under the seat, even in a 145, but I doubt you'll have any problems with gate check for a roller bag. Here's the layout for a United Express 145:

https://www.united.com/web/en-.../emb145/default.aspx

I appreciate the feedback. I'm a very experienced flyer, including on these. I'm just mostly cheesed off that I am going to London and they have stuck me with these d$%^ 145s. At least I have arranged, at least, 747s over and back. GRR! They've changed my plane over to a 787.

I'm just pissed.

Edit: I'll try the Aeronaut 45 on the trip. Should fit under the seat if nothing else.

quote:

Originally posted by Otto Pilot:
Of course, but in my early days, we would very occasionally let a passenger use the closets on the t-props and RJ I flew.

Ah...didn't know you had experienced the WONDER of RJ flying. LOVED the plane, but Regional employment and QOL went down the crapper 2009-ish. You're lucky to have escaped early when you did.

quote:

Originally posted by ChuckFinley:
I'm just mostly cheesed off that I am going to London and they have stuck me with these d$%^ 145s. At least I have arranged, at least, 747s over and back. GRR! They've changed my plane over to a 787.

I hope I'm not being Captain Obvious here and I don't mean to insult your intelligence, but British Airways doesn't arrange your U.S. domestic travel. They code-share with United, so United is sticking you on the E145. If not United and maybe American, then BA code shares with them as well. Sunny skies though...I believe you're gonna like the 787. It's quiet and supposedly has some sort of fresh air circulation system that keeps the air from getting stale like on other platforms. You supposedly feel more refreshed after the long flights. Safe travels...bon voyage!!

Not much to add here that hasn't been mentioned.
I've never had any problems with gate checking a bag from IAH-MAF.

RE: The 787, I took my first flights on one a couple weeks ago IAH-LAX & back. Pretty impressed, seemed quieter than the 737 & with the 3-3-3 seating, quite roomy.
First time I've had to stand to adjust the air vent (I was right seat in the center section).

HAven't been on a 747 & running out of options for that to happen. IIRC, all US-domestic carriers have retired theirs?

I fly UA 787 transpac every other month, and although it's not as notable as flying upstairs on the 747, it's really quite nice. I greatly prefer the Firebird to any of the other airframes UA is currently flying.
Agree about the RJ's; the Barbie jets are awful to fly in - but speedy. From MT I'm almost always in some variant of the devil's chariot to/from Denver. Be thankful its not a CRJ-200.

quote:

Originally posted by aileron:
Be thankful its not a CRJ-200.

This man speaks truth... Hands down, THE worst airframe ever designated for commercial flight.

[/DRIFT]

The Yooper puddle jumper is a CRJ-200. Agony.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
HAven't been on a 747 & running out of options for that to happen. IIRC, all US-domestic carriers have retired theirs?

The pilots never had a chance against the bean counters. Too many engines.

I remember with fondness an early 2001 BA round trip to London and back in a ‘47 with the lovely bride. Got invited up to the cockpit to hangout for a while on the way back. I went back to the seat for landing, but Mrs. slosig got to sit in the jumpseat for the landing at SFO. Another fun and interesting experience that won’t be repeated.

Please pardon my thread drift.

I had to fly on an American Airlines regional jet recently. I don’t recall which one, but the restroom was so small I could not stand up straight. Nothing like being all hunched over and trying to urinate. At least I can stand up straight in a 737 toilet.

I really hate flying on regional equipment. If it won't fit under the seat, you might as well check it. The overhead can handle a pencil box.

Pack the regalia in a suit bag or check a suit bag that will provide the protection needed. Adjust the suitcase, if used, to handle the regalia, and shift things that interfere to your carry-on.

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:

I had to fly on an American Airlines regional jet recently. I don’t recall which one, but the restroom was so small I could not stand up straight. Nothing like being all hunched over and trying to urinate. At least I can stand up straight in a 737 toilet.

I fly a large widebody internationally, and the lavatory isn't much better.

quote:

Originally posted by aileron:
I fly UA 787 transpac every other month, and although it's not as notable as flying upstairs on the 747, it's really quite nice.

I flew the 747 for some time; one of the smaller cockpits out there, ironically. The upper deck for passenger aircraft was configured nicely, but not on cargo aircraft, in which the stairs were replaced by a ladder that was pulled up to load cargo.

The last British Airways flight I took, about two months ago, was a 747 out of Heathrow. The airplane interior was worn out. The entertainment system broken. The flight attendants were sparse and service poor. British Airways used to be good; now it's on par with LOT, which isn't a plus.