Baggage Allowances, Suitcase weight and what works best?

[MEJG]

Hey guys, girls and undecideds...

Looking at baggage allowances with airlines and just how much a suitcase weights is making me think twice about taking cases.

The cases I've been looking at weigh a hefty 5.2kg; taking two of these is a quarter of the typical airline allowance and in the case of some of the smaller airlines over half!!!

So at less than half the weight of a suitcase I've been debating canvas holdalls; as these can often come with wheels they seem just as convenient for transportation ease, whilst removing the dead weight that is a suitcase.

Does anyone have an opinion on this?

Any cadets know of any drawbacks to this idea?

Does anyone care other than my anally retentive self?

[Chiefy]

Re: Baggage Allowances, Suitcase weight and what works best?

how much?

Simple rule if you cannt lift your case you have got too much gear, no bugger else will lift it for you!

I use a Samsonite Hard Case, can get my 40kg allowance in it easily...though I usually leave so much gear on my ship (back to back has it's advantages) that my case is full of sweeties and tea bags on joining and ermm well nothing on pay-off which given it's currently MIA in Mauritius (despite me NOT going there!) is a good thing!

However you are being a bit retentive

[dawg]

Re: Baggage Allowances, Suitcase weight and what works best?

Isn't there a standard size for types of plane, like 22" for most international ones; 19" for small internal planes.
(Am I thinking of maximum carry-on dimensions?).
Maybe try and aim for 4 stones = 56lbs (25kg for those of a continental bent)... that's roughly half the weight of a girl, if it helps .
You don't need an all-armoured tank case I wouldn't have thought, there's some nice NorthFace, MacPac, and EagleCreek bags that will probably weigh less and do more for probably around the same price.

[alistairuk]

Re: Baggage Allowances, Suitcase weight and what works best?

You can get "featherlight" cases which are really light. Your baggage allowance will vary by airline and whether your company has booked a "seafarers ticket" (not all airlines automatically give it to you just cause you have a discharge book). Normally long haul you will get 60 kg (2 x 33kg bags) if your company booked the seafarers ticket - that was last time I flew BA.

However I have never had any issues with 40 - 50 kg on various airlines (BMI, Lufthansa, BA, LAN, Argentinian Airlines, Virgin)

[CharlieDelta]

Re: Baggage Allowances, Suitcase weight and what works best?

As somebody who is currently working in travel insurance, one quick word of wisdom - NEVER pack anything into your hold bag that you need to see again. Neither the airline nor travel insurance policies (which are another topic entirely for seafarers - good luck!) will pay for valuable items, which can include:

Antiques, jewellery, gold, silver, precious metal or precious or semiprecious stone articles, watches, furs, cameras, camcorders, portable satellite navigation systems, photographic, audio, video, computer, television and telecommunications equipment (including MP3/4 players, CDs, DVDs, tapes, films, cassettes, cartridges
and headphones) mobile telephones, computer games and associated equipment, telescopes and binoculars.

Basically, if it's of value - monetary or sentimental - keep it in your cabin bag.

[dawg]

Re: Baggage Allowances, Suitcase weight and what works best?

I assumed that the best plan was to make sure you got the biggest bag you were allowed to take as hand luggage - the 22" one that doubles up as a wheely bag and a rucksack; going on the principle of packing light and expecting sod's law to be in force.

I've never experienced luggage loss, but I have experienced lugging a preposterously sized suitcase around a hilly foreign city, and that cured me.

As for the contents, alas big feet can inhibit you from finding big socks in countries with pint-sized populations, and I do have a fetish for outdoors gear, so I'd go for lots of things that pack down small - and easily, because there are few things as tedious as having to pull all your nicely packed crap out and then feel rushed to stuff it all back in again in a random mess, with a smug airport searchy man hovering over you.
So I'm now wedded to the modular bag inside bag thing making sure that everything's underpacked so I can ram it back in with ease and beaming with a counter-smugness.

It's the uniform that's really going to mess things up - I guess that one's destined for a cheap sports bag in the hold.

I heard of a feller who got an enormous coat and stuffed it full to get round paying Ryanair's bag tax... so a nice big multipocket mac for all your crap might be an idea.

[chris]

Re: Baggage Allowances, Suitcase weight and what works best?

"
I heard of a feller who got an enormous coat and stuffed it full to get round paying Ryanair's bag tax"

are you sure you didn't see that on the ITV Tonight show, holiday money saving tips summer special...

[minchmermaid]

Re: Baggage Allowances, Suitcase weight and what works best?

I always pack two smaller bags as you are likely too lose one bag, but too lose two bags is beyond unlucky. I have only ever lost one bag on the way out to join a ship but on the way home about half the time I will lose one bag.

My local airport is a bit "enthusiastic" about security and I often hear the words "Could passenger Smith please report to security" and they are there wanting to search my hold luggage. If you get asked if you want a female to search your luggage then I always say nah, I don;t mind and I always make sure I have a good bra right at the top of my bag,. Generally the guy is too embarrassed to search thoroughly and the whole process is over a lot faster!

[dawg]

Re: Baggage Allowances, Suitcase weight and what works best?

"
I heard of a feller who got an enormous coat and stuffed it full to get round paying Ryanair's bag tax"

are you sure you didn't see that on the ITV Tonight show, holiday money saving tips summer special...

Radio actually... (I don't watch telly).

[MEJG]

Re: Baggage Allowances, Suitcase weight and what works best?

I always pack two smaller bags as you are likely too lose one bag, but too lose two bags is beyond unlucky. I have only ever lost one bag on the way out to join a ship but on the way home about half the time I will lose one bag.

Really?

I always thought that losing luggage was a rare and unfortunate thing to happen... but it's THAT common?

Good lord, 2 bags is a must then... split the uniform down the middle and other stuff that needs to come too and hope for the best.

I think i'm going to go for soft bags with wheels tbh, they seem durable and easy to store

[dawg]

Re: Baggage Allowances, Suitcase weight and what works best?

For those wishing to avoid braving the perils of hold luggage...

You are allowed one piece of hand baggage plus a laptop or handbag. Please see below for sizes.

Your main piece of hand baggage is up to the dimensions 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22in x 18in x 10in), including the handle, pockets and wheels.

You must be able to lift the bag into the overhead locker unaided

Source: http://www.britishairways.com/travel/ba ... blic/en_gb

BA have 23kg limit on hand luggage. Others is more like 8 or 10kg.

Source: http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/t ... e-question

Musical instruments may be carried in addition to your stated hand baggage allowance, providing the dimensions do not exceed those of a guitar and providing it can be security screened.

Your laptop or handbag is up to the dimensions 45cm x 36cm x 20cm (18in x 14in x 8in), including the handle and pockets.
Your laptop or handbag must fit under the seat in front of you.

Source: http://www.britishairways.com/travel/ba ... blic/en_gb

[alistairuk]

Re: Baggage Allowances, Suitcase weight and what works best?

I always thought that losing luggage was a rare and unfortunate thing to happen... but it's THAT common?

When you travel several times a year and have multiple connections its chances of not making it are very high.

I have so far been very lucky (touch wood) and have never had anything go missing when joining ship - coming home so far every time my baggage has not arrived in Edinburgh, having either been left in the original airport or miss placed at one of the connections. But its not really a big problem when that happens, when they eventually find it they deliver it to your house.

As others have said; stick your electronics, documents and expensive stuff in your carry on baggage - if you have room you may want to also put some underwear, a t-shirt and shorts / trousers in your carry on baggage too.

As for what I take, I normally take one normal sized suitcase (I am too lazy to lug around 2... and I can easily fit it all in one) and a smallish rucksack which I take as hand baggage with my laptop, documents and electronics in it.

Uniform for me, isn't really a problem as I get issued with them onboard the ship each time I join - but I would assume they are used to baggage occasionally going missing - and if your's did, I wouldn't expect them to cause too much of a problem if you didn't have your uniform with you!

[Martyboy]

Re: Baggage Allowances, Suitcase weight and what works best?

just got to make sure you have have comfy uniform........ like boiler suits with ya instead of your shirt and trousers I suppose I have a British Army hold all which does the trick, and Maersk kindly gave us funky bags for carrying on as hand luggage which i managed to pack a uniform and laptop into on the way home from Cambridge.

[MEJG]

Re: Baggage Allowances, Suitcase weight and what works best?

just got to make sure you have have comfy uniform........ like boiler suits with ya instead of your shirt and trousers I suppose I have a British Army hold all which does the trick, and Maersk kindly gave us funky bags for carrying on as hand luggage which i managed to pack a uniform and laptop into on the way home from Cambridge.

the rucksack i took with me fitted inside the holdall that Maersk gave me... so it's very roomy :-D

but it looks a little big for hand luggage?

[Naaatan]

Re: Baggage Allowances, Suitcase weight and what works best?

If only this could fit all your gear

http://www.essentials4travel.com/mall/p ... 4t/skf0014

Cheap. Convenient. Sexy. No more checked-luggage worries.