Not Allowed to check Wine as Luggage out of FLR on LH?
Aug 5, 2011, 2:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: DEN
Programs: Mileage Plus 1P MM
Posts: 139
Not Allowed to check Wine as Luggage out of FLR on LH?
Hi, not sure if this belongs in the Airport or LH forum, so here goes:
I typically fly into Florence once a year, buy a case of wine, pack it ever so carefully in a styrofoam wine shipper box (the kind used to ship via FedEx/UPS/ETC). Sometimes they make me have the "plastic wrap guy" in the checkin hall wrap it, sometimes they don't. The box is always securely taped up and I even insulate the individual bottles with newspaper so they don't "travel" within the box. I've never had a problem (beyond having to plastic wrap).
This year some friends attempted this and the LH checkin counter agent told them that they could not check the box. Instead they were forced to put the bottles into their checked suitcases. Most fit, but they had to leave a few behind. Needless to say, they were not pleased. They happened to be flying C as part of a business class ticket bought from United and were headed back to the states via FRA.
What gives? Is this a FLR airport rule, a LH rule, a checkin agent's whim? I'd like to figure it out before I show up in September and am forced to leave behind a case of grape juice.
I typically fly into Florence once a year, buy a case of wine, pack it ever so carefully in a styrofoam wine shipper box (the kind used to ship via FedEx/UPS/ETC). Sometimes they make me have the "plastic wrap guy" in the checkin hall wrap it, sometimes they don't. The box is always securely taped up and I even insulate the individual bottles with newspaper so they don't "travel" within the box. I've never had a problem (beyond having to plastic wrap).
This year some friends attempted this and the LH checkin counter agent told them that they could not check the box. Instead they were forced to put the bottles into their checked suitcases. Most fit, but they had to leave a few behind. Needless to say, they were not pleased. They happened to be flying C as part of a business class ticket bought from United and were headed back to the states via FRA.
What gives? Is this a FLR airport rule, a LH rule, a checkin agent's whim? I'd like to figure it out before I show up in September and am forced to leave behind a case of grape juice.
Aug 5, 2011, 6:06 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YVR - Vancouver, with most winter weekends in Whistler.
Programs: Aeroplan 35K, Alaska MVP, Marriott Titanium / Lifetime Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 4,609
UA in SFO (Napa Valley) always makes me use the styrofoam 6 bottle wine box. The airport sells them on site. Apparently the baggage handlers have had lots break over the years. I have even duct taped 2 boxes together and checked it as one container (12 bottles).
I would endorse using the containers over the clothing wrap in the bags. I have had a few break over the years.
I have no experience with Florence or LH.
I would endorse using the containers over the clothing wrap in the bags. I have had a few break over the years.
I have no experience with Florence or LH.
Aug 5, 2011, 6:55 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold
Posts: 14,505
I'd say if you agree to the limited release at checkin (thus not making the airline responsible for breakage) they should accept it in whatever form?
Aug 5, 2011, 11:24 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Italy
Programs: HON Circle; Marriott Rewards Gold; SPG Gold; HH Diamond; AZ CFP
Posts: 205
I am a wine professional and last June I flew to GRU out of FLR via FRA ìn C and I checked a styrofoam box into a cardboard box with 12 bottles of wine as one of my two checked luggages and it went through with no problems. I just had to bring it by myself in the oversized luggage area after check in (even though it was within the weight and size limits).
Aug 5, 2011, 11:33 pm
#5
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,188
Airliners hate liquids in the hull (aluminum is very sensitive) especially if they leaked all over other customers precious stuff first.@:-)
Aug 6, 2011, 12:00 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: DEN
Programs: Mileage Plus 1P MM
Posts: 139
Last year I checked two boxes, the first rather small and full of books, the second a case of wine. The agent asked if the second box was also books. Fearing a trip to the Saran wrap guy, I said yes and it went right through.
Aug 6, 2011, 4:38 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
..to mercury, oxidizers, and select acids yes. And to the known galavanic corrosion against some precious metals.
Other than that Al is wonderful material with a stable oxide and little absorption of liquids like water.
Now if the hold was made of wrought iron.. I could remotely buy into the excuse.
Other than that Al is wonderful material with a stable oxide and little absorption of liquids like water.
Now if the hold was made of wrought iron.. I could remotely buy into the excuse.
Aug 6, 2011, 6:33 am
#9
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,188
..to mercury, oxidizers, and select acids yes. And to the known galavanic corrosion against some precious metals.
Other than that Al is wonderful material with a stable oxide and little absorption of liquids like water.
Now if the hold was made of wrought iron.. I could remotely buy into the excuse.
Other than that Al is wonderful material with a stable oxide and little absorption of liquids like water.
Now if the hold was made of wrought iron.. I could remotely buy into the excuse.
Aug 6, 2011, 7:06 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
.
Aug 6, 2011, 7:12 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
I know of at least two very substantial airframe damages one due to mercury and one due to acid spill both of which were not sufficiently contained by the - well - container.
To the best of my knowledge mercury is particularly vicious as it doesn't report in any way and just leads to structural failure. Is is dangerous in vapour and liquid form .. so yes, cargo can be dangerous.
But given that wine can be stored in steel and alumiunium, I guess the concerns are with the luggage liability.
Aug 7, 2011, 6:07 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 199
Aug 8, 2011, 1:35 am
#15
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,188
@weero the items/substance you mention are not allowed in checked luggage anyway as the are hazardous goods?
Anyway, the text to TAs is pretty vague on the topic of alcoholic beverages, except that there seems to be a limit of '5 litres'. Plus there is a catch phrase that they might refuse carriage of anything they deem unsuitable. I suppose its supposed to cover nice things like durian.
Anyway, the text to TAs is pretty vague on the topic of alcoholic beverages, except that there seems to be a limit of '5 litres'. Plus there is a catch phrase that they might refuse carriage of anything they deem unsuitable. I suppose its supposed to cover nice things like durian.
Code:
GGAIRLHPT7INFO EN 8JUL11 1415Z
ITEMS NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN CHECKED BAGGAGE:
--------------------------------------------
- MONEY, JEWELLERY, PRECIOUS METALS, COMPUTERS (LAPTOPS, PCS),
PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES, NEGOTIABLE PAPERS, SECURITIES OR
OTHER VALUABLES, BUSINESS DOCUMENTS, PASSPORTS AND OTHER
IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS OR SAMPLES.
- IF DESPITE BEING PROHIBITED, ANY ITEMS REFERRED TO THE ABOVE ARE
INCLUDED IN A PASSENGER?S BAGGAGE, LH SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF SUCH ITEMS.
- FOR THE PURPOSE OF INTERNATIONAL CARRIAGE GOVERNED BY THE CONVENTION,
THE LIABILITY RULES SET OUT IN THE CONVENTION ARE FULLY INCORPORATE
HEREIN AND SHALL SUPERSEDE AND PREVAIL OVER ANY PROVISIONS OF THIS
TARIFF WHICH MAY BE INCONSISTENT WITH THOSE RULES.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES:
-------------------
- TO AVOID INTERFERENCE WITH AIRCRAFT ELECTRONIC NAVIGATION AND
COMMUNICATION, EQUIPMENT OPERATION ABROAD THE AIRCRAFT, THE USE OF
PORTABLE RADIO RECEIVERS, TRANSMITTERS AND TELEVISION RECEIVERS IN
POSSESSION OF THE PASSENGER IS PROHIBITED. ALSO PROHIBITED IS THE
USE
- OF MOBILE PHONES, WALKIE-TALKIES, LAP TOPS WITH A PRINTER OR
>m
GGAIRLHPT7INFO EN 8JUL11 1415Z
CORDLESS MOUSE, AND REMOTE-CONTROLLED TOYS. THE USE OF PORTABLE
TAPE / WIRE RECORDERS, HEARING AIDS, DICTAPHONES AND HEART PACEMAKERS
IS PERMITTED.
RIGHT TO REFUSE CARRIAGE
------------------------
LH MAY REFUSE TO CARRY AS BAGGAGE
- ANY ITEM REASONABLY CONSIDERED TO BE PROHIBITED OR UNSUITABLE FOR CARRIAG
BECAUSE OF ITS SIZE, SHAPE, WEIGHT, CONTENT, CHARACTER, FOR SAFETY OR
OPERATIONAL REASONS OR THE COMFORT OF OTHER PASSENGERS OR WHICH ARE FRAGI
OR PERISHABLE HAVING REGARD TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE TYPE OF AIRCRAFT
BEING USED. INFORMATION ABOUT UNACCEPTABLE ITEMS
IS AVAILABLE FROM US OR OUR AUTHORISED AGENTS UPON REQUEST.
- ITEMS OF WHICH THE CARRIAGE IS PROHIBITED BY THE APPLICABLE LAWS,
REGULATIONS OR ORDERS OF ANY STATE TO BE FLOWN FROM OR TO.
- LH MAY REFUSE THE ACCEPTANCE OF BAGGAGE FOR CARRIAGE UNLESS IT IS
IN REASONABLE CONDITIONS PROPERLY AND SECURELY PACKED IN SUITABLE
CONTAINERS.
DANGEROUS GOODS
---------------
>m
GGAIRLHPT7INFO EN 8JUL11 1415Z
DANGEROUS GOODS ARE ARTICLES AND SUBSTANCES WHICH MAY BE A RISK TO HEALTH,
SAFETY AND/OR PROPERTY WHEN TRANSPORTED BY AIR.
DANGEROUS GOODS MAY BE DIVIDED IN TWO CATEGORIES:
- DANGEROUS GOODS THAT MAY NOT BE CARRIED AS CABIN OR CHECKED BAGGAGE
- DANGEROUS GOODS THAT MAY BE CARRIED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS
ITEMS THAT MAY NOT BE CARRIED AS CABIN OR CHECKED BAGGAGE
---------------------------------------------------------
NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE BAGGAGE:
ITEMS WHICH ARE LIKELY TO ENDANGER THE AIRCRAFT OR PERSONS OR PROPERTY
ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT, SUCH AS THOSE SPECIFIED IN THE ICAO OR IATA
DANGEROUS GOODS REGULATIONS WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FROM US ON REQUEST.
ESPECIALLY THE FOLLOWING ITEMS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED:
- BRIEFCASES AND SECURITY TYPE ATTACH? CASES WITH INSTALLED ALARM
DEVISES; OR INCORPORATIVE LITHIUM BATTERIES AND OR PYROTECHNIC
MATERIAL
- EXPLOSIVE MUNITIONS, FIREWORKS AND FLARES
- GASES, SUCH AS CAMPING GAS AND AEROSOLS
- FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS, SUCH AS LIGHTER FUELS, PAINTS AND THINNERS
>m
GGAIRLHPT7INFO EN 8JUL11 1415Z
- FLAMMABLE SOLIDS, SUCH AS MATCHES AND ARTICLES WHICH ARE EASILY
IGNITED, SUBSTANCES LIABLE TO SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION, SUBSTANCES
WHICH ON CONTACT WITH WATER EMIT FLAMMABLE GASES
- OXIDIZING SUBSTANCES
- POISONOUS (TOXIC) AND INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES
- RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
- CORROSIVES (THERMOMETERS; ACIDS; ALKALIS AND WET CELL BATTERIES)
- MAGNETIZED MATERIALS AND MISCELLANEOUS DANGEROUS GOODS AS LISTED
IN THE "IATA DANGEROUS GOODS REGULATIONS"
- WET CELL OR SPILLABLE BATTERIES, ALSO NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR INTERLINING
AS CHECKED BAGGAGE. DRY CELL OR NON SPILLABLE BATTERIES CAN BE
INTERLINED ON ALL STAR PARTNERS EXCEPT AC, NZ.
ITEMS THAT MAY BE CARRIED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS
--------------------------------------------------
- MEDICINAL OR TOILET ARTICLES (NOT MORE THAN 2 KG / 5LB))
- ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE, PERFUMES (NOT MORE THAN 5 LITRES)
- RADIOISOTOPIC CARDIAC PACEMAKERS OR OTHER DEVICES, INCLUDING THOSE
POWERED BY LITHIUM BATTERIES, IMPLANTED INTO A PERSON, OR RADIO
PHARMACEUTICALS CONTAINED WITHIN THE BODY OF A PERSON AS THE RESULT
OF MEDICAL TREATMENT
>m
GGAIRLHPT7INFO EN 8JUL11 1415Z
- PERSONAL SMOKING MATERIALS
ALLOWED WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE CARRIER ONLY
---------------------------------------------
- AMMUNITION (5 KG / 11LB PER PERSON), ONLY AS CHECKED BAGGAGE AND
IF FOR SPORTING PURPOSES.
- AVALANCHE RESCUE BACKPACK: ONLY ONE PER PASSENGER
- BATTERIES, NON-SPILLABLE: ONLY AS CHECKED BAGGAGE
- BAROMETER OR THERMOMETER, CONTAINING MERCURY: ONLY AS CABIN BAGGAGE
IF SECURELY PACKED AND LEAK-PROOFED
- CAMPING STOVES: ONLY AS CHECKED BAGGAGE, IF COMPLETELY DRAINED OF
ANY LIQUID AND FUEL
- CARBON DIOXIDE CYLINDER (TWO), FITTED INTO A SELF-INFLATING LIFE
JACKET, PLUS TWO SPARE CARTRIDGES
- DRY ICE (NOT MORE THAN 2,5 KG / 5,5LB)
- HEAT PRODUCING ARTICLES, E.G. DIVING LAMPS, UNDERWATER TORCHES:
IF SWITCHED OFF AND BATTERIY IS REMOVED
- REFRIGERATED LIQUID NITROGEN (DRY SHIPPER), IF FULLY ABSORBED
- SMALL GASEOUS OXYGEN CYLINDERS (2 LITRES VOLUME PER CYLINDER),
OR AIR CYLINDERS FOR MEDICAL USE. EXCEPTION: TO/FROM/VIA USA
FORBIDDEN.