AE - i spoke with an AA rep. this morning and they told me that this year there is no box embargo, just a size/weight limitation,and as long as the box is within the accepted dimensions, they'll take it. Thanks, though.
Tamborista - I think a 22 or 26 inch tv, while small, is too big to put in my knapsack and carry through the airport along with two (very) small children. that was my problem in the first place. If I thought it'd be easy to just carry it on, I would.
Chip - great idea, thanks.
LaTeacher, I'm flying AA on Jan 2nd, and was told NO boxes, checked the website and here's what it says:
Whether you're traveling to visit loved ones or making one last business deal, we want to make sure that your checked bags arrive at your destination with you this busy travel season. For that reason, American Airlines and American Eagle will implement limitations on checked baggage and boxes from November 20, 2010 - January 9, 2011.
For the destinations identified below, boxes? and excess, overweight (more than 70lbs.), or oversized pieces will not be accepted for transportation. Bags weighing 51-70 lbs. will be accepted with the collection of the applicable charge.
Passengers will be allowed to check a maximum of two pieces which must be within the size and weight limits as follows (dimensional measurements calculated by adding the length, width and height of an item):
* 1st piece - up to 62 dimensional inches and 50 lbs. (70 lbs. for Brazil)
* 2nd piece - up to 62 dimensional inches and 50 lbs. (70 lbs. for Brazil)
Carry-on items may only be up to 45 dimensional inches.
Attention First and Business Class Customers
We are pleased to offer customers in First and Business Class the ability to check three bags at no charge.
American Airlines Cities With Oversize / Excess Bag Limitations
Caribbean
Grenada (GND)
Kingston, Jamaica (KIN)
Port au Prince, Haiti (PAP)
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (POP)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ)
Santiago, Dominican Republic (STI)
St. Kitts (SKB)
As well as all Caribbean cities from/through New York (JFK)
Mexico
Mexico City (MEX)
Guadalajara (GDL) Latin America
Brasilia, Brazil (BSB)*
Cali, Colombia (CLO)
Caracas, Venezuela (CCS)
Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA)
La Paz, Bolivia (LPB)*
Maracaibo, Venezuela (MAR)
Medellin, Colombia (MDE)
Quito, Ecuador (UIO)
Recife, Brazil (REC)*+
Salvador de Bahia, Brazil (SSA)*+
San Pedro Sula, Honduras (SAP)
San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL)
Santa Cruz, Bolivia (VVI)*
Tegucigalpa, Honduras (TGU)
As well as all Latin American cities from/through New York (JFK)