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Old Nov 18, 2019, 2:39 am
  #31  
 
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An empty suitcase? Only in my dreams!
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Old Nov 18, 2019, 2:41 am
  #32  
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Originally Posted by parklife
I've never manged to come back from the US with less than I took! My better half would not allow us to bypass a shopping trip!
Yes, although not so much recently with the exchange rate the way it is - most things I want seem cheaper here. However, I face a similar issue with my annual pre-Christmas trip. I take lots of presents out, and bring back lots of presents for my family here. The trouble is that I never know how bulky the presents coming back will be, so I tend to do a lot of juggling of space requirements. Bubble wrap is your friend.
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Old Nov 18, 2019, 2:53 am
  #33  
 
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If you are genuinely concerned, spread the contents of 1 suitcase over the 3 cases on the way back?
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Old Nov 18, 2019, 3:04 am
  #34  
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Thanks.

Spreading stuff out is an option. Depends on whether the stuff inside would rattle around I suppose. Clothes would be OK.

I think I might leave a note inside explaining why the case is empty. They all have TSA locks.

This is totally new to me. I have never in my life had this problem and never travelled before with an empty case. Normally it is taking stuff out to make the weight!
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Old Nov 18, 2019, 3:19 am
  #35  
 
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Originally Posted by lhrsfo
Bubble wrap is your friend.
Indeed - I have travelled to places with a suitcase containing sundry clothes, etc, and a large quantity of bubble wrap. On return, the bag was filled with bubble-wrapped bottles of the finest wines known to humanity [1] and similar items.


[1] Or at least reasonably good wine in my opinion
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Old Nov 18, 2019, 4:15 am
  #36  
 
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May not suit OP this time but in general charities for homeless and children in care always welcome suitcases. They have many who have to move their belongings in plastic bags. Giving them suitcases allows them to move their belongings with some dignity.
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Old Nov 18, 2019, 4:28 am
  #37  
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Originally Posted by jahason
May not suit OP this time but in general charities for homeless and children in care always welcome suitcases. They have many who have to move their belongings in plastic bags. Giving them suitcases allows them to move their belongings with some dignity.
I would love to do that if my suitcases were not nearly new and quite expensive. I will consider buying cheap, secondhand suitcases next time though so I can leave them there with a charity as you suggest. Thanks.
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Old Nov 18, 2019, 4:30 am
  #38  
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I occasionally fly with empty suitcases and have never had an issue. I typically do it on pleasure trips to the US or UK if planning to do some clothes shopping.
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Old Nov 18, 2019, 4:47 am
  #39  
 
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Just go on a shopping spree and fill them up with "American " goodiees
maybe also some winter jackets... heck what ever you fancy
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Old Nov 18, 2019, 7:42 am
  #40  
 
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Originally Posted by Mwenenzi
Can you put 1 inside the other?
Being empty they will be more likely to be damaged, unless hard shell
Once we were on DEN - LHR - AMS with BA, and we had an empty large suitacse and a 5% full much smaller one. We packed the smaller one into the larger one and checked in the larger bag. Upon collecting the suitcase at AMS, we discovered that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (are they the ones that also check departures from the US??) had broken the padlock to inspect the bag. They left a printed off template note, however!
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Old Nov 18, 2019, 8:31 am
  #41  
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Originally Posted by mtofell
I should have paid more attention in physics class to all the supportive qualities of soft cotton undies.
Now I've heard it all!!

Physics!!

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Old Nov 18, 2019, 8:32 am
  #42  
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Originally Posted by fotographer
Just go on a shopping spree and fill them up with "American " goodiees
maybe also some winter jackets... heck what ever you fancy
Don't forget the chlorinated chicken!
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Old Nov 18, 2019, 8:33 am
  #43  
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Originally Posted by Yanshuf
Once we were on DEN - LHR - AMS with BA, and we had an empty large suitacse and a 5% full much smaller one. We packed the smaller one into the larger one and checked in the larger bag. Upon collecting the suitcase at AMS, we discovered that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (are they the ones that also check departures from the US??) had broken the padlock to inspect the bag. They left a printed off template note, however!
That's why you should use only TSA approved locks.

Imagine how weird your "Russian doll" suitcases appear if they are X-rayed - they are almost guaranteed to be opened and inspected if screened.
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Old Nov 18, 2019, 9:13 am
  #44  
 
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I travel with empty suit cases all the time for goodies. And who says that I'm lugging them around. That's what the help is for.

And I don't trust a lot of cheap suit cases that I would buy in TK Maxx/TJ Maxx.
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Old Nov 18, 2019, 9:22 am
  #45  
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Originally Posted by MADPhil
The best bet, after nesting them if possible, is to fill them with packing material such as air pods.
Sounds like an expensive option to me
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