iamhereandthere

These threads always make me wonder...am I the only elite that goes on a long vacation? My last true vacation was 3 weeks to 4 distinct climates ranging from desert to arctic tundra with 4 nights of formalwear required. You trying keeping bags under 50lbs with that and the necessities required for that length of stay.

I think the larger issue is, as others have pointed out, for the times when a bag is required, one bag will do, but frequently on the return my bag is right around 50lbs. So if 52lbs means I need two bags, that's a huge pain.

avidflyer

As usual with DL it was not really announced just showed up one night. This is the new policy for International baggage so I have no doubt it will be adopted for domestic soon.

plagwate

Contestants on The Amazing Race do it every season with just a backpack. Just sayin. Granted, they're not toting around formal wear but does a tux weigh that much?

On a more serious note, if I'm going on an extended vacation I am not schlepping a month's worth of clothes along. Certainly laundry facilities aren't something that's unique only to the US.

avidflyer

I agree. That is a pretty tough clothing requirement but I am on the road 3 weeks a month from HKG to AMS to DBX and I have not checked a bag since 1999. Laundry services are your friend and most people pack way more than they actually need. I qualify this as only for those who do not travel with tools or sales samples and the like. Other than the above there is no need to ever hang out in an airport for an extra 1/2 hour waiting for a bag...By that time I am in my hotel room

mtkeller

Fixed that for you

mtkeller

The tux might not, but if you need multiple pairs of shoes, the weight adds up. I'm dreading lugging hiking boots an upcoming trip or two. They're really uncomfortable to wear sitting on planes and trains, but they take up a ton of space and weight in checked bags. At least I've figured out how to stuff socks into them to minimize wasted space.

avidflyer

Oh yes..many tips!

- Socks in shoes.
- Use of every area of the laptop bag for clothing. I can get a pair of Bostonian Dress shoes in one side of my LT bag as well as socks and at least
- If I need a jacket I wear it or sling it over my shoulder

You can get really creative!

plagwate

Any time I've had to bring multiple pairs of shoes, I've always packed them in my rollaboard along with a day's change of clothing (in case my checked bag is lost). I've had as many as 4 or 5 pairs in that carryon (work boot, sneakers, dress shoe, loafer) based on the diverse needs of the trip. Boots and shoes are typically the most densely weighted items of clothing (most of us take them off before stepping onto the doctor's scale to weigh) and are the easiest means of controlling weight of the typical checked bag.

FlyAO2

I think this is the key difference. The 70 lbs allotment allows you to have a bag that is 55 lbs....something Mrs. FlyAO2 regularly manages to pack (much to my dismay)

pbarnette

For a bit of perspective, 30 minutes is (assuming my math is right) 0.3% of a week. If I have a long trip, or a trip which requires something like a tux, I'm not going to sweat the 30 minutes.

crank1225

No speculation? Gossip? This forum would wither and die

Bicostal

It's not so much about the 70 pound bag, it's the 55 pound bag on the return because you got a deal on some antique books.

Of course, my wife would disagree...."only 70 pounds?"

jamesteroh

As far as efficiency and reducing injuries, if someone is going over 50 lbs and has to check a second bag, how does that save on efficiency having another bag to load, and track? I rarely check a bag but have a fold up duffel in the bottom of the rollling duffel that I use when I do have to check in case I am on WN and go over the 50 lb rule. I have seen Counter agents at WN say there is a fee on a 52 lb bag and had to take out that duffell and put a few items in it. I have no problem doing that since I am over their limit, but it ends up slowing down the line (I have no way of knowing how much stuff I bought weight wise and weighing the bag at the hotel), in addition to priting out a second bag tag, etc.

If they are that concerned with workplace injuries, then they shouldn't accept ANY bags over 50 lbs. The odds of a baggage worker getting hurt handling a 70-lb bag checked for free by an elite or a paid F cabin passenger are not any great than getting hurt handling a 70-lb bag someone paid an overweight bag fee on.

One airline (I think it's Southwest) is allowing Military to check bags weighing up to 100 lbs for free. If safety is a concern with bag weight, then they shoudln't accept the bags even if the PAXS pays an upcharge.

avidflyer

Depends on your perspective. I fly 2-4 times a week every single week of the year. That's 1-2 hours a week x 52 = 52-104 hours a year. 1-2 work weeks spent at baggage claim. I already spend 200k miles in the air so that 2 weeks is precious to me.

jamesteroh

People need to watch the movie "up in the air" I remember when the girl Ryan was training took her first flight with him and he made her buy carry on bags in the airport lecturing her as to how much time you spend waiting on a bag and how much time was saved carrying on
\
And not to mention when you carry on instead of checking, it is a LOT more convenient if you want to change flights or get stuck in an irrops situation, especially if your flight isn't going out until the next morning. Luckilly in all my irrops situations where I got stuck waiting until the next day to fly out, I was carrying on, so I didn't have to wait for my bag and was able to proceed directly to my hotel or back home. I am told it is brutal to get your checked bag back on a flight that has cancelled when an airport is cancelling a lot of flights due to weather.