If you have a trip coming up soon, and you’re going to be flying, you may be thinking about bringing a backpack as a carry-on, and that’s great!  As more, and more airlines charge for checking in luggage, the cheapest way to go is by bringing your own bag, but what kind of rules are there?

The rules of having a backpack as a carry-on

The size: The first thing that you want to look at is the size of the bags.  Most airlines will regulate what you can bring on the plane, and it makes perfect sense.  The next time you hop on a plane, look for a box near the front of the gate.  If your bag doesn’t fit in that box, you won’t be able to bring it on.  Most backpacks that you buy in the store will be completely fine.  I would only worry if you’re bringing a bag that’s the size of your body, and sticks out 3 feet.

Bring only one bag: Many airlines are going to restrict you to one backpack only.  If you bring more than one, you’re going to find that they will force you to check it in.  This is going to cause you to pay a little bit more money on your check in.  This is why I always recommend that you try to cram as much as possible into your backpack.

Know what you can and can’t bring: A while back, I wrote a post on what you can and can’t bring on an airplane.  Instead of going into details, I recommend that you read that post, and know what’s prohibited from the airlines themselves.  If they catch you bringing any of these items on, they will immediately confiscate them, or may make you check in your bags, if your liquids are above the 3 ounce recommendation.

Watch your weight: If you find that your backpack is too big, or heavy, it may be prohibited from bringing it on the plane.  I would recommend that you watch your weight with your bag as well as your size.

These are all tips that I would follow when you’re ready to bring a backpack on the airplane.  As long as you’re smart with these rules, you should be fine with getting on the airplane.