VIA Rail Corridor — is the 154cm linear carry-on limit actually enforced strictly?
Hi all! I'm traveling with my child from Argentina to Canada in September, taking VIA Rail Corridor trains (Toronto→Kingston→Ottawa). I contacted VIA Rail chat support and they confirmed that any carry-on item exceeding 154cm total linear dimensions (length+width+height) won't be accepted, no exceptions.
My suitcase is 78 x 53 x 31 cm (162cm linear total), and the limit is 76 x 48 x 30 cm (154cm linear total) — so I'm about 8cm over on the linear total, mainly due to width.
I don't want to break any rules, but since we're traveling all the way from Argentina for a few weeks, we do need a larger suitcase than usual. I'm traveling alone with my child, managing two smaller suitcases instead of one larger one would be really difficult for me.
Has anyone actually had a suitcase measured or rejected at the platform on Corridor trains? Is this enforced with an actual measuring tool, or is it more of a "guideline" that gate staff rarely check in practice? Trying to figure out if I really need to swap suitcases before the trip or if there's some real-world flexibility.
Thanks in advance for any first-hand experience!