What is the etiquette of taking luggage on the subway?
Sue asked:
i have 2 large suitcases and I want to take the subway to get to the airport rather than taking a cab. do u think it’s a good idea or not? especially cause it’s 2 big suitcases (30″). do u get annoyed when u see someone taking up more room on the subway cause of their luggage or not?
i have 2 large suitcases and I want to take the subway to get to the airport rather than taking a cab. do u think it’s a good idea or not? especially cause it’s 2 big suitcases (30″). do u get annoyed when u see someone taking up more room on the subway cause of their luggage or not?
It depends on whether or not you will be able to handle those 2 large suitcases on your own.
I wouldn’t be annoyed though if someone took up room on the subway because of their luggage.
It depends on the time of day… it’s allowed, but if it’s during rush hour, don’t do it! You’ll not only get dirty looks and nasty comments, but it will be so crowded that you probably won’t even be able to get your suitcases onto the train at all!
On the other hand, if it’s at a non-rush-hour off-peak time of day, go for it, but remember that the subway is deep underground, which means several flights of stairs to get down to a train, and then several flights of stairs to get back up to street level at the other end of your trip!!
What previous posters have said about avoiding rush hour, and considering stairways, is good advice.
Are you aware that most airlines have started charging $15, $20 or more for the first checked bag, and up to $50 for the second one? You could save a great deal of money by traveling lighter. (Maybe even enough to take a cab!)
Carry-on luggage must be small enough to fit under the seat ahead of you. If you have a window seat, this could be a problem, so you should board as early as you can in order to get space in the overhead compartment.
Call your airline to find out their specific charges for checked baggage, and the maximum dimensions for carry-ons.
An alternate approach is to pack your bulky items in a sturdy cardboard carton and ship it via UPS or the US Postal Service to where you’ll be. Distance is a factor, however. If you’re traveling somewhere for a long stay, I’d suggest you look into this.
It happens every day. Thats what subways are designed for. No one will acknowledge your presence let along your luggage.