Only checking bags part way and not collecting - allowed?
 

Hi,

I have a flight PER-HKG-SEL-HKG. The SEL sector is simply a turnaround to commence my DONE4 from there.

Does anyone know if when I check in in PER can I ask them to ticket the bag to HKG only and simply not collect it but leave it on the carousel and collect it later that evening when I get back??

Am I pushing it if I then also ask them to issue BP's for the HKG-SEL leg in PER or should I just wait till I get to HKG and get them issued there at the transfer desk?

And finally, is it OK to also ask for issue of the BP for the SEL-HKG in either PER or HKG? Sorry, I've not done an immediate trunaround like this before and I'll only have 70mins in SEL if it works so don't want to be wasting time there.

You didn't specify which carrier you're on, but you can usually short check bags as you suggest. Just tell them when you check in, and make sure that you check the baggage tag before the bag goes shooting down the belt. When I do this (several times per year, and for the same reason as you), I never just leave it on the carousel. I always collect it and check it in a left luggage facility. (For me, this is almost always at LHR T3, and the left luggage place is very convenient.)

I wouldn't just leave the bag on the carousel for fear of what might happen to it. It might just be held as unclaimed for a few days, and eventually you would return and claim it. However, these days, it might be of interest to anti-terrorist authorities who might destroy it. Just not a chance I have a lot of interest in taking at all, regardless of how remote it may be.

The PER check-in staff are fine and will check the bags where you want.

But beware, in PER there's a crazy inspector with a set of scales just ahead of security who will try to weigh your carry-on. The jobsworth's number is 7kg (15lb)

Take an overcoat with plenty of pockets, re-pack the stuff in your carry-on immediately you pass the goon.

I did a same plane turnround in SEL a couple of years ago, and certainly there was then no problem showing them my e-ticket printout at the transfer security and then getting my SEL-HKG BP at the lounge.

or just keep your hand luggage within the permitted allowance. Doing a job correctly is hardly grounds for calling someone a "jobsworth"

Dave

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm on CX sorry should have mentioned it.

Yep acutely aware of the strict hand luggage allowance at PER, But have also seen this at MEL or SYD? Last time I muttered something about Emerald and the guy let me through with 2 pieces. Interestingly - if they properly enforced this in the US there'd be a whole different game when it came to overhead luggage space :-).

I have only 115mins at HKG so collecting the bags and taking them to the left luggage area is risky timewise I think. Maybe I'll just play it by ear as to when the PER-HKG flight arrives. In my expereince this flight is often late to depart out of PER which won't help things.

I imagine there are plenty of bags that don't collected off carousels for a variety of reasons - not least would be the weary traveller who simply forgets a bag (especially if travelling with multiple). There must be a standard process for holding it at least for a day or two as opposed to the more drastic suggestion of destroying it.

Paul

Bags rarely take long to come out in HKG. Being on CX, the left luggage area is only 50 metres to the right of where you'd normally come out (south end [B?]).

Straight back up the Lifts/Elevators and through to security.

More achievable than at many airports - your only issue would be a late inbound.

Short checking should be no problem. If they query it, just explain what you are doing - quick turnaround to Seoul and you won't need your checked bag.

The left luggage facility in HKG is very well run. I have no idea what time your flight arrives, but be aware that the left luggage opens at (if I recall correctly) 7:30 am.

A couple of years ago I arrived on an overnight flight from SYD which got in around 6 am. Immigration, customs and baggage were very quick, so I had to hang around the terminal for an hour or so before depositing my bag. (I was doing a similar thing to you - a turnaround to start a DONE4. In my case it was CMB.)

Personally, I wouldn't leave a bag on a carousel for a number of hours.