Originally Posted by
nalismom
So if I understand this- in Economy JNB-Skukuza and then MQP-CPT...... 1bag not to exceed 7 kg or 15 lbs. and 1 small handbag or 'slimline' laptop bag is okay to take onboard as per SAA site. Is this correct?
Are you saying that the 15 lb. bag will be/could be taken from us on the jetbridge and if so.....is it gate-checked similar to small regional jets in U.S. And you retrieve at end of jetbridge on deplaning? Or does it go to baggage claim?
Does someone have the dimensions of a 'small handbag' or a 'slimline laptop bag'? I typically put my electronics in a small daypack. Not defining the dimensions is very arbitrary.
I'll further what pomkiwi said, on your routes you specifically mentioned, since they are either SA Express or Airlink then you'd have a gate check and retrieval on the jetbridge or planeside as with the US regional carriers. If however you're going on a mainline flight (A319, A320, 737, etc) and the nitpickers decide your bag is over the limit then it'll be gate checked and come out of baggage claim at your final destination.
As for the handbag and slimline laptop case, they really mean just that. No kidding... a small backpack in lieu of a handbag doesn't fly nor does any laptop case that has space for more than a charger. I argued quite a bit about this last time from Durban and finally they "asked the captain" and he said to store them in the crew locker at the front of the plane. It was beyond silly but there was no way I was letting camera gear or laptops go in the hold. In the past I'd always "gotten away with it" on SA internal flights, but they've really clamped down now so I have to pack differently from here out.