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How to sneak a third bag onto a plane

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) on Nov 5th 2009 at 9:30AM

We all try to travel light and avoid those pesky baggage-check fees, but it can be difficult to cram all your goods into your suitcase and "small personal item" (which, for most people I know, has become a pretty big bag). So, when I received a SCOTTEVEST/SeV jacket to try, my hope was that it would be the ultimate, wearable, third carry-on of which I've been dreaming.

The "technology-enabled clothing" from scottevest.com has a lot of secret pockets, from attractive casual men's shirts with 3 hidden compartments to superjackets like the Scott Jordan Signature System combo (which our own Scott reviewed last September here), which features a fleece and jacket with a total of 52 pockets, many of them specific to particular items like water bottles or pens, and a patented "Personal Area Network for earbud wire management." The jackets also have a "Weight Management System" which helps distribute the weight of all your worldly belongings evenly on your shoulders.

You probably have the same question I did: "How much can it really carry?" Not only could this jacket potentially save you money at the bag check, but it could also mean no more carrying a bag (or dreaded fanny pack) while sight-seeing, or even replace a backpack on a hike.

I decided to test out the 18-pocket, $120 SCOTTEVEST Women's Essential Travel Jacket by attempting to load everything from my gigantic handbag into it (thus freeing up my hands for a whole other "small personal item"). Check out my findings in the gallery below.

Gallery: Can the SCOTTEVEST be your third carry-on?

Filed under: Gadling Gear Review

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Linda Nov 5th 2009 2:23PM

Is a "purse" considered a "carry-on"? If not, could a large purse be used as a 3rd carry on???

Shari Nov 5th 2009 3:01PM

Yes a purse is counted as one of your carry on items, even smaller ones. So any purse would be counted as one of your 2 carry on items. So if you want to carry a purse as well as two bags, put your purse inside one of them.

leslie Nov 5th 2009 2:37PM

Purses are not included as a carry on. Most airlines allow you one carry on bag that is within a certain size and one personal item. Which would be a purse for most of us ladies. Choose the right purse and you can manage to put a lot of stuff in there. Last time I flew, I managed to keep all my souviners and gifts in my purse and carry on bag since a lot of stuff was breakable and didn't trust the airline employees with treating my suitcase with care.

jay myers Nov 5th 2009 2:59PM

Been using a Scottvest for over a year now. Easy to take thru security, just toss in bin. Before I board plane I usually load it up with my laptop and food then just carry it on. Since it is an article of clothing, flight staff never give it a second look. I usually have so much in it that when I do put it on, I look like a Sumo wrestler. Also doubles as a blanket/pi;;ow. Best travel purchase I ever made.

Nancy Nov 5th 2009 3:00PM

Bet she gets extra attention from security with all those extra pockets and gadgets.

Thed Nov 5th 2009 3:02PM

It always amazes me why we Americans hate rules and regulations. We waste a tremendous amount of effort trying to get around rules and regulations. Baggage limits are for a reason yet you always see someone trying to cheat. These people are trouble makers and usually tha cause of delays. No wonder Americans are disliked around the world. Americans think they are gods and don't have to play by the rules.

RLShadow Nov 5th 2009 6:53PM

Absolutely correct. I get quite annoyed by the people who seem to make a game of trying to carry on as much stuff as they can, slowing things down for everyone, and making it very unfair for people who travel lightly as they should, but get on after the ones who have tons of stuff have taken up all of the storage space.

Linda Nov 5th 2009 7:48PM

What's your problem?

Annie Scott Nov 9th 2009 8:13PM

I don't wish to play devil's advocate, but you *already* have to take off your coat at security. It doesn't take any additional time if you have a ton of stuff packed in said coat.

Joannie Nov 5th 2009 3:28PM

That is the ugliest jacket I have ever seen, and I would NEVER wear it anywhere. It reminds me of those old tankard jackets! I agree with Thed who said we Americans just can't stand rules and regulations. Get over it and learn to pack your carryon properly. Geeez!

mary Nov 5th 2009 3:35PM

I had my waist ban pocketbook on and it counted as a carry. I took it off and pack it to my other carry on. I do feel safe flying do to the checking of everything.. Thanks to all the people who watch out for my safety

tom Nov 5th 2009 4:05PM

Hopefully these stupid airline people will wise up...allow 1 free checked bag and CHARGE 200 bucks for anything more that 1 carry on...the carry on you people bring on is ridiculous! I bring on 1 item that fits under my seat...if I can do it....anyone can...

Sandra Smith Nov 5th 2009 4:23PM

The airlines are at fault for letting people carry on bags that are obviously over the size limits. Check in agents just don't want to deal with the hassle. It's time that they step up to the plate and if the bag doesn't fit in their little metal frame, then it doesn't get to be carried on.
My other pet peeve - people who can't live without a cup of coffee and carry on their hot drinks while struggling with 2 carry ons. I can't tell you how many close calls I've had of being on the receiving end of a hot cup of coffee.

John H. Nov 5th 2009 5:04PM

Right on Sandra!!! The airline personnel should deny a person boarding privil iges if they fail to meet the rules. Many of the ills of society are the result of those people to whom the rules don't apply!!!!

Maryann Purgason Nov 5th 2009 4:42PM

My handbag broke in an air terminal, so I quickly put my must-haves into my pants pockets and the rest into my carryon. The handbag went into the trash. It was such a joy not to be burdened with it, that I never replaced it and have not carried one for ten years, on airplanes or elsewhere. It's wonderful.

Bonnie Nov 5th 2009 5:26PM

While at the security gate, they said because I had 3 bags (was a new rule at the time, and caught me off guard) I would have to go back and check one in. Instead, I opened up my bag with clothing and preceeded to put ALL the clothes from the suitcase on me literally, then folded the small bag up and put into a larger bag... it was hysterical, gotta lotta laughs but it was worth NOT having to go back and check it in. Once passed the security check, I undid what I had just done. 2 funny!