How to Get and Odd-Size Garment Bag on Board

[ctreelmom]

Hi

We are flying east coast to west next month for an Irish dancing competition. As some of you may know, the costumes the dancers wear for these competitions are one of a kind, very fragile, and quite expensive. This is the first time we've flown with the costume, and I want to make sure I can bring it with me on the plane. My concern is that the garment bag we use to transport it is very wide, almost bell-shaped, to accomodate the wide, stiff skirt on the costume; it is not shaped like a regular garment bag you'd put a suit or dress in. I can't really fold it up beyond folding the bodice down over the skirt as the skirt must remain flat.

Do you experienced flyers think I'll be able to get it on board? I'm prepared to take it out of the bag and have my daughter wear it onto the plane if I have to. We're flying on Continental if that helps and I have to think there will be other dancers on the same flight with the same type of bag.

 

[Keitht]

First thing to do it contact the airline.

 

[camachinist]

Obtain the most safely compacted measurements and either post them or contact the airline. Also post your cabin of service. Some (not all) aircraft have closets of adequate size to hold your garment. On wide body UA A/C, I've seen the closets swallow substantial wedding gowns whole.

You can always buy an extra seat for the dress

Pat

 

[JudiZ]

How about a box that you could pack before hand and send though luggage? We have had good luck with unusual things we have packed ourselves.
Judi

 

[camachinist]

Given what I've seen come out on the luggage belt, if the dress is in any way fragile, I'd suggest FedEx rather than airline checked luggage. The box would likely be oversize and garner a fee. With some more metrics, we might be able to help further.

Pat