Wicker hamper in the hold
Dec 18, 22, 12:17 pm
#1
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Wicker hamper in the hold
For some unknown reason as of late, no Christmas hamper retailer here in the sunlit uplands ships their hampers to the EU anymore - so we decided to take ours with us as baggage.
Unfortunately, while the hamper does comfortably fit within the maximum baggage dimensions, this beast is a bit too big for any of our (or John Lewis') suitcases. The food contents of the hamper can always be put in our regular bag for safe transport and inspection, and we can fill the hamper with clothes or whatever - it's just damage and dirt to the actual wicker hamper itself that we're worried about.
Anybody got experience or ideas for flying with a wicker hamper (60 x 47 x 37 cm), such that it's still in a giftable condition at the other end? Would e.g. the bag wrapping people at Heathrow T3 do a hamper, and would that be sufficient?
Unfortunately, while the hamper does comfortably fit within the maximum baggage dimensions, this beast is a bit too big for any of our (or John Lewis') suitcases. The food contents of the hamper can always be put in our regular bag for safe transport and inspection, and we can fill the hamper with clothes or whatever - it's just damage and dirt to the actual wicker hamper itself that we're worried about.
Anybody got experience or ideas for flying with a wicker hamper (60 x 47 x 37 cm), such that it's still in a giftable condition at the other end? Would e.g. the bag wrapping people at Heathrow T3 do a hamper, and would that be sufficient?
Dec 18, 22, 12:52 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London
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I would take as much of the (fragile/valuable) contents out as possible, fill with light durable stuff like clothes, then wrap it as well you can (or try the wrappers at LHR... Try and contact them to see if they'll do it or not).
Dec 18, 22, 1:42 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,956
This is one occasion when it would help to make it obvious what the contents are, so keep any wrapping transparent. Assuming you’re travelling on a containerised flight (avoid LGW shorthaul!) the loaders will likely try to keep your item for the top of the bin to give it the best chance of survival.
Dec 18, 22, 2:06 pm
#6
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I can, we've got cardboard aplenty. But while cardboard might keep the hamper clean, now that I'm considering the crushing risk, I don't think cardboard would add much strength against that. Maybe some offcut wood struts inside?
It's LHR-HEL, BA ticket, AY metal. I appreciate the baggage loading procedures vary between airlines and airports - don't suppose they give much heed to "fragile" stickers and the like?
It's LHR-HEL, BA ticket, AY metal. I appreciate the baggage loading procedures vary between airlines and airports - don't suppose they give much heed to "fragile" stickers and the like?
Dec 18, 22, 2:52 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SFO
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Just an idea. Buy a very sturdy plastic storage bin big enough for the hamper, use straps to secure the lid safely, and either leave the bin with the gift recipients if they could use it or bring it back packed on the return flight if you could use it at home, so that it wouldn't be wasted money and plastic.
Dec 18, 22, 3:01 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: London, UK
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Just an idea. Buy a very sturdy plastic storage bin big enough for the hamper, use straps to secure the lid safely, and either leave the bin with the gift recipients if they could use it or bring it back packed on the return flight if you could use it at home, so that it wouldn't be wasted money and plastic.
I don't know how big the basket is but something like this could work: https://www.diy.com/departments/wham...4457209_BQ.prd
Dec 18, 22, 3:21 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: AA MM, AA EXP; OW Emerald, EK silver
Posts: 920
How was the hamper sent to you? Thousands of hampers are being delivered daily without damage - they also are harshly treated. I would just pack it in a box and have the box luggage wrapped. I have found the wrap adds a level of rigidity to the box/hamper that's really protective. I'm more optimistic than most on this board about it's viability, less so about whether it might go 'missing' or delayed in transit.
Dec 18, 22, 6:17 pm
#10
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Just an idea. Buy a very sturdy plastic storage bin big enough for the hamper, use straps to secure the lid safely, and either leave the bin with the gift recipients if they could use it or bring it back packed on the return flight if you could use it at home, so that it wouldn't be wasted money and plastic.
I don't know how big the basket is but something like this could work: https://www.diy.com/departments/wham...4457209_BQ.prd
Dec 18, 22, 6:25 pm
#11
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Dec 19, 22, 2:29 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 530
Travellers are not allowed to bring in meat, milk or their products,
Dec 19, 22, 4:05 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BMA
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I checked in a Harrods Hamper two years ago on BA. I put it in a large cardboard box and it arrived at it's destination absolutely fine. I just put extra tape on the box to keep it together and there was no issue.
Dec 19, 22, 4:08 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2015
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Posts: 3,901
I guess it depends how devastated OP will be if it gets destroyed and how much they are curious to see what K2 will offer as a replacement.
