Smallest item put in regular checked baggage
Jul 18, 2011 | 12:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC E75K *G
Posts: 7,242
Smallest item put in regular checked baggage
We often talk about the biggest, the longest, the most miles, the best award, etc, but a thread in the AC forum about a fishing rod and how to bring hooks with you on a trip got me to thinking...
When traveling with family and lots of bags, I have been known to put some heavy items (like books) into a bag not much bigger than a medium sized purse and checking it. It seems to be about the smallest thing I see coming out the baggage carrousel.
But surely we among us have checked far smaller items for far more obscure reasons than that.
What is the smallest item you have ever checked? What is the smallest item an airline would even accept as checked luggage?
When traveling with family and lots of bags, I have been known to put some heavy items (like books) into a bag not much bigger than a medium sized purse and checking it. It seems to be about the smallest thing I see coming out the baggage carrousel.
But surely we among us have checked far smaller items for far more obscure reasons than that.
What is the smallest item you have ever checked? What is the smallest item an airline would even accept as checked luggage?
Jul 18, 2011 | 12:24 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Programs: LH Senator, Million Miler but now only Silver DL, No status AA
Posts: 134
I checked a pocket knife in Europe when it was unexpectedly found in a backpack pocket. They put it in a padded envelope and checked it. And it came out the other side.
Also not really small, but I purchased a boomerang behind security in SYD and carried it on the plane to LAX only to be told by security there that I had a weapon. I'd be more dangerous throwing my laptop at someone than a boomerang, but I went back to the counter and they stapled it into a paper bag. I was sure it'd get broken when someone threw a big bag on it, but it also arrived just fine.
Also not really small, but I purchased a boomerang behind security in SYD and carried it on the plane to LAX only to be told by security there that I had a weapon. I'd be more dangerous throwing my laptop at someone than a boomerang, but I went back to the counter and they stapled it into a paper bag. I was sure it'd get broken when someone threw a big bag on it, but it also arrived just fine.
Jul 18, 2011 | 12:50 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,044
Also not really small, but I purchased a boomerang behind security in SYD and carried it on the plane to LAX only to be told by security there that I had a weapon. I'd be more dangerous throwing my laptop at someone than a boomerang, but I went back to the counter and they stapled it into a paper bag. I was sure it'd get broken when someone threw a big bag on it, but it also arrived just fine.
Jul 18, 2011 | 1:06 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 297
When I was a kid they made me check in a Super Soaker 50 that my parents bought me. Funny thing was the box they put it in was huuuge.
Those things started out as hunting weapons. Before you know it all the terrorists will be carrying those things. 
"That throwing stick of yours has boomeranged on us!!!" -The Simpsons
I checked a pocket knife in Europe when it was unexpectedly found in a backpack pocket. They put it in a padded envelope and checked it. And it came out the other side.
Also not really small, but I purchased a boomerang behind security in SYD and carried it on the plane to LAX only to be told by security there that I had a weapon. I'd be more dangerous throwing my laptop at someone than a boomerang, but I went back to the counter and they stapled it into a paper bag. I was sure it'd get broken when someone threw a big bag on it, but it also arrived just fine.
Also not really small, but I purchased a boomerang behind security in SYD and carried it on the plane to LAX only to be told by security there that I had a weapon. I'd be more dangerous throwing my laptop at someone than a boomerang, but I went back to the counter and they stapled it into a paper bag. I was sure it'd get broken when someone threw a big bag on it, but it also arrived just fine.
"That throwing stick of yours has boomeranged on us!!!" -The Simpsons
Jul 18, 2011 | 1:08 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: CAK/PIT/OH15
Programs: UA*0K, Amex Plat. (National Exec., Hertz 5*), Chase MP Explorer.
Posts: 1,727
Legend has it that indigenous Australians used boomerangs as a hunting device to throw at kangaroos. (Returning to the sender was just a convenience in case your aim was a bad and you missed the 'roo.)
The smallest thing I've checked (by weight) was empty luggage (empty duffel bag), since I engage in transporting my wife's luggage who is not elite so that she doesn't have to pay. This often involves dead-heading empty luggage.
The smallest thing I've checked (by weight) was empty luggage (empty duffel bag), since I engage in transporting my wife's luggage who is not elite so that she doesn't have to pay. This often involves dead-heading empty luggage.