Calculating the benefits of carry-on only
May 15, 2019, 2:06 am
#79
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LTN
Programs: Aeroflot Bonus, British Airways Executive Club
Posts: 463
On an international flight much of that 60 minutes will be taken up by customs and immigration policy. I'd also question a 60 minutes average wait time from the moment of arriving at the carousel. I can't recall the last time I waited an hour unless there was a problem like a labor disruption or equipment malfunction. I can however recall many times finding my bag had arrived in the pick-up area before I got there.
And It is so hard to pack carry-on only as a pair of hiking shoes and a dry bag has already occupied much of the weight limit. I took Finnair last time and it allows 8 kg and it was so damn difficult to remove stuff until it came below 8 kg, and I needed to do laundry even for a 1-week trip. Luckily my favourite airline Aeroflot allows 10 kg carry-on.
May 15, 2019, 7:37 am
#80
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
That principle is greatly over-applied. It's only true if you would otherwise be using that time in an activity that would contribute to earning money (or a savings/cost avoidance) instead of waiting on bags, or whatever it is. If my only plans after arrival are to swim in the hotel pool, then an extra 10 minutes spent waiting at the bag carousel will just mean that I spend 10 minutes less time at the pool. So I guess in that case time is water?!
May 15, 2019, 6:57 pm
#81
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Montreal
Posts: 586
In Canada, the CBSA seems to be horrendously slow in processing checked baggage on flights from certain "less developed" countries. TK from IST and CM from PTY were all 1 hour or so waits even with priority tags. By contrast, priority tags with a BR flight from TPE might get you gone in as little as 20 minutes after exiting the aircraft.
May 17, 2019, 12:31 am
#83
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 167
That principle is greatly over-applied. It's only true if you would otherwise be using that time in an activity that would contribute to earning money (or a savings/cost avoidance) instead of waiting on bags, or whatever it is. If my only plans after arrival are to swim in the hotel pool, then an extra 10 minutes spent waiting at the bag carousel will just mean that I spend 10 minutes less time at the pool. So I guess in that case time is water?!
consider this; if a product costs less $, you can use that dollar you saved to buy something else and generate more utility (because you still get the utility of the original purchase)
It does fall over when a particular task has its own inherent utility (e.g. is less time drinking a benefit or a cost?)
And remember: blame the economists
May 17, 2019, 12:38 am
#84
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 167
I'll also add: for those who use AKL regularly, 60 minute cost for checked luggage is appropriate, because any delay at the carousel translates into a rapidly expanding wait at the biosecurity line. It can easily go from a 15 minute queue to a 60 minute one
May 17, 2019, 7:57 am
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,573
While somewhat correct, the assumption in any time/value analysis is that time saved can be used more productively elsewhere
consider this; if a product costs less $, you can use that dollar you saved to buy something else and generate more utility (because you still get the utility of the original purchase)
It does fall over when a particular task has its own inherent utility (e.g. is less time drinking a benefit or a cost?)
And remember: blame the economists
consider this; if a product costs less $, you can use that dollar you saved to buy something else and generate more utility (because you still get the utility of the original purchase)
It does fall over when a particular task has its own inherent utility (e.g. is less time drinking a benefit or a cost?)
And remember: blame the economists
I will also note that this ignores the psychological benefits of unscheduled breaks. Doing nothing for 5/ 10 minutes may make that individual more productive when they do get to working - think about the guy, hand baggage only, who gets off the plane, and is go, go, go. When he arrives at the office he hasn't decompressed from that travel experience and may need a few minutes to switch gears. The same traveler who spends 10 minutes waiting for a bag may make that mental shift then, so they arrive ready for the next part of their day.
May 17, 2019, 3:29 pm
#86
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So have we concluded here, once and for all, that those who check luggage are Blue-footed Boobies, and those who only bring carry-ons are Red-footed Boobies?
May 17, 2019, 7:32 pm
#87
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,304
May 18, 2019, 6:00 am
#88
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Prince Edward Island
Programs: Air Canada P25K, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, MGM Gold
Posts: 1,582
Wow, this all seems really complicated! I'm glad OP is developing a mathematical equation to help everyone decide whether or not they should check a bag. I don't know how we lived without one for all these years 
May 18, 2019, 4:26 pm
#89
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 167
Less time in traffic = more time with family at home
Less time waiting for luggage = more time walking around a museum in London etc
Now, you are correct that not all activities are better than waiting for luggage, but our assumption is that enough are.
May 18, 2019, 4:27 pm
#90
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 167
