To check or not to check, that is the question
Dec 12, 2018, 10:38 am
#16
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 140
95% of the time I'm HBO - a B&R roller and either a laptop bag or more casual laptop backpack. I love bypassing the carousel and exiting the terminal while others are still waiting. And, I never have to worry if I get stuck overnight at a connection or have to re-route for some reason. (One time I checked a bag to EWR I got stuck at ORD, had to stay in a hotel without my stuff, and was then re-routed to LGA. Had to schlep to EWR to collect the bag.)
I can't really do the no carry-on at all approach. I always travel with laptop, tablet, headphones, and charging gear and would never, ever check my laptop. Not even gate check. So, I'll always have some kind of hand luggage.
Having said that, I recently did a quick RT from AUS to TPE with just a backpack. It was quite liberating not dragging the roller around or hoisting it into overhead bins. B&R bags are built like tanks but are far from light. My backpack was reasonably full, but when it was on my back I barely noticed the weight. I enjoyed that, and am now trying to figure out if I can do the same for a short business trip with more formal clothing needs.
I can't really do the no carry-on at all approach. I always travel with laptop, tablet, headphones, and charging gear and would never, ever check my laptop. Not even gate check. So, I'll always have some kind of hand luggage.
Having said that, I recently did a quick RT from AUS to TPE with just a backpack. It was quite liberating not dragging the roller around or hoisting it into overhead bins. B&R bags are built like tanks but are far from light. My backpack was reasonably full, but when it was on my back I barely noticed the weight. I enjoyed that, and am now trying to figure out if I can do the same for a short business trip with more formal clothing needs.
Dec 12, 2018, 8:46 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: LAS/DXB
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 1,193
How do you manage regional aircraft where all rollerboards will be checked no matter what?
Dec 12, 2018, 8:57 pm
#18
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,879
Wont help the op as you never see this on a 319, but if ba buys fly be and dash8s become the norm to lba then it would be if interest.
Dec 12, 2018, 9:03 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Kazakhstan
Programs: BA Gold, AirAstana Silver (much use as chocolate teapot)
Posts: 867
Very true!! HBO I would be in my apartment (25mins away) & showered before people had collected their bags!!
Dec 13, 2018, 12:08 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 451
HBO for me when on business trips. I travel as light as possible and often do 1 week+ trips to the US with very little. My rationale is that if I need anything that urgently, I can buy it (especially in the US!)
Dec 16, 2018, 5:00 am
#21
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: No more status, free agent now
Posts: 163
I would say try HBO out and see how it feels and works before, during and after the flight. Do it a few times, then you will know.
You will probably like the straightforwardness of HBO (skipping check-in, baggage claim, having your stuff with you at all times, no risk of it getting lost).
Probably the only worry you will have is having space to stow luggage on board, you will need to be early in boarding to find space (with status early boarding or just rushing in sooner), or fly business class ;-)
For security, pack your HBO bag so that the things you need to take out at security (liquid baggie, laptop, etc) are the first things you see when opening the bag, and security will be easy, too.
Warning: There is a real risk that you will find out you like going HBO and later may want to go HBO as often as you can ;-)
You will probably like the straightforwardness of HBO (skipping check-in, baggage claim, having your stuff with you at all times, no risk of it getting lost).
Probably the only worry you will have is having space to stow luggage on board, you will need to be early in boarding to find space (with status early boarding or just rushing in sooner), or fly business class ;-)
For security, pack your HBO bag so that the things you need to take out at security (liquid baggie, laptop, etc) are the first things you see when opening the bag, and security will be easy, too.
Warning: There is a real risk that you will find out you like going HBO and later may want to go HBO as often as you can ;-)
Dec 16, 2018, 5:36 am
#22
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Sheffield, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, Virgin Red, HH Silver, SPG Gold, Priority Pass,
Posts: 127
I wonder if an infrequent HBOer has wandered off the plane, forgetting that (on this occasion), they didn’t check their bag in - guess if you realise before you clear immigration, you are OK and can head back to the plane feeling a bit silly.
Dec 16, 2018, 6:24 am
#23
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA, BA, Accor, Honors Diamond, IHG Diamond Elite and lots more....
Posts: 2,965
I'm still trying to work out how to pack 6 bags of 32kg for our flight this week!
I suspect we will fail, especially as the S Class Merc picking us up seems to have a very small boot!!
I suspect we will fail, especially as the S Class Merc picking us up seems to have a very small boot!!
Dec 16, 2018, 6:41 am
#24
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,576
More the opposite problem of being HBO so often that one walks out the airport leaving their case going forlornly around the carousel.