Flying with iMac computer
 

I'm flying LAX-HKG-CTU next week and I've been having trouble getting someone from customer service to answer my question. I'm a student going to Chengdu to study and I need to bring my computer. Unfortunately it's a 21.5" iMac and not a laptop. Right now I don't have enough money to buy a laptop, nor the time to sell my iMac. Fedex/UPS is not an option as their quote was $500+ and in my experience the locations in China are just as bad as the luggage guys at airports. I've had insured fragile boxes arrive to me in China from overseas looking as though someone's stepped all over it, and UPS wouldn't honor their insurance.

I'm first flying American Airlines from Nashville to LAX and after talking to them they will allow me to carry this bag as my carry-on: http://www.ilugger.com/product/detai...1460&pid=15896

However I realize that instead of being 22x14x9, it's 20.5x6x19. Will this even fit in the overhead? I read somewhere else about how someone going to Europe had the flight attendant stow this same case in a closet, but it's looking like all three of my flights are going to be booked solid and I'm not sure if the attendants will have the patience to deal with me.

I am debating between two solutions:
1. Try to take it on all three flights and stow it in the overhead. But will it even fit in the overhead? I've only flown this route once before. If I am forced to check it in at LAX or HKG due to full overheads/being over the weight requirement is it at all possible to get it back as soon as the plane lands to avoid it being handled by the luggage conveyor belts?

2. Pack it in the original shipping box with the original packaging and spend my 27 hour trip stressed out and praying to the heavens. Does Cathay offer any services to limit the amount of torture inflicted upon luggage, like fragile labels?

Also I don't fly often so I am confused by the wording on their website. It says HKG-CTU has no baggage allowance but economy passengers have a maximum weight of 44lbs. If I have two 50lb bags and then check this computer, after I go through customs in HKG and recheck my bags at the DragonAir counter, will I have to pay overweight baggage fees?

Thank you for any advice! I really appreciate it. I'm perplexed by what to do and would love to hear what you guys recommend.

May be I will ask the flight attendant to check at door and give me back at door?

I think checked with original delivery box make sense as this is how Apple ship it to you after all. It should be good enough. I will add some cushion material inside like air filled plastic bag but it should be fine.

As long as you are on one PNR, the bag system applies all the way from US into China, so no worries on the quota, and CX will able to check though it to KA flight. You don't clear custom in Hong Kong but only in China.

there is enough padding inside already. the only thing is, for apple deliveries they will never throw imacs around. if i were you i would only handcarry them, but i think a 21" is bigger than 45cmx55cmx25cm... imagine ur computer falls off a baggage mover vehicle....

just hand-carry it dude~ ask the Flight attendant and they would be happy to keep it onboard and you may take it back as soon as you alight the plane.

The only concern about the iMac I am afraid is when you pass the handcarry-luggage search in LAX

For the luggage problem, they will be check-through all the way from LAX to CTU. There are "fragile" labels available on CX check-in counter in LAX.

Just a follow up to my experience. I finally managed to get a hold of Cathay Pacific and over the phone they told me the likelihood of being forced to check my computer at the gate was really high due to the weight. I debated over taking the chance for someone not to weigh my bag, but I am a fairly unlucky person and decided otherwise.

I shipped my computer in its original box with the original packing materials and wrapped the screen in 12ft of bubble tap and stuffed any open spaces with my winter wear. I then covered it in FRAGILE stickers in both English and Mandarin. The box came to be 35lbs.

My computer arrived in Chengdu without any problems! The box wasn't even beat up or scuffed. I consider myself lucky.

I carried my ilugger bag on the flight with me (minus computer, of course) just to see if it would easily fit in the overhead bins and the answer is yes.

For anyone else debating what to do, I wish you luck. My only other comment is that going through security and taking out your imac will prove to be a hassle, but maybe that's just me. (I'm a fairly small, weak individual.)

Thank you for your advice, everyone.

I'd be amazed if they didn't take it in the cabin. It's won't fit in the overhead bin i don't think, but it can be stored with coats or in the storage space by the galley.

Seems like you made the right choice, I have a large laptop computer, and clearing that every time at security is a hassle, let alone an iMac. Glad to know everything was ok.

Just as an update to this thread, I can confirm that an Apple iMac 21.5 DOES fit in the overhead locker of a Virgin Atlantic aircraft with a bit of room to spare, I took mine to JFK and back from LHR last week (1st week of Oct 11). No problem at all with security as it went through the scanner laying flat. I had mine in a Crumpler bag which was adapted, but I am looking at buying a new bag similar to an ilugger.

Hope this helps someone.