# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Packing for Trips

How to Prepare for Continental Air Baggage Rules

Continental Airlines has its own rules for checking and carrying on bags aboard its flights. These primarily include the rules on the size and number of bags you can take with you. All Continental passengers must abide by the baggage rules set by the National Security Administration. If you know these rules and prepare for them when packing, you can save a lot of time and hassle while checking in and boarding.

Instructions

- 1
  Measure your carry-on bag; it must be no more than 14 inches long, 9 inches wide and 22 inches high. Weigh it and make sure it isn't heavier than 40 pounds.
- 2
  Store all liquids in bottles no larger than 3.4 ounces. Use no more than three containers. Place the bottles inside a single, quart-size bag. This rule is from the TSA, rather than Continental Air, but it must be followed.
- 3
  Carry only one carry-on bag plus one personal item on the Continental flight; you must check all other luggage. Personal items can include purses, briefcases, laptop computers, cameras or personal entertainment devices.
- 4
  Pack all other belongings in no more than two bags that don't exceed a combined height, length and width of 62 inches and don't weigh more then 50 pounds, unless you are prepared to pay a higher baggage charge.
- 5
  Check in all bags no less than 45 minutes before your departure; while most airports allow a 30-minute check-in time, some airports--including those in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Las Vegas and Philadelphia--require 45 minutes for your check-in. International flights require 60 minutes.