How to not let your two free checked bags go to waste?
Aug 14, 2009, 3:54 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Berlin and Buggenhagen, Germany
Posts: 3,509
They have arrangements with customs. The more legitimate ones are registered as commercial importers. The shadier ones simply bribe their way through.
Some airline crews (Cubana and Air Zimbabwe come to mind primarily) are well known for this activity as well. I remember one day when a porter wheeling a cart with ~20 suitcases came up to the Cubana crew checkin desk at Gatwick. That was just for the captain!! There were over 100 bags between the entire crew. Thankfully the IL96 had plenty of space!!!
Some airline crews (Cubana and Air Zimbabwe come to mind primarily) are well known for this activity as well. I remember one day when a porter wheeling a cart with ~20 suitcases came up to the Cubana crew checkin desk at Gatwick. That was just for the captain!! There were over 100 bags between the entire crew. Thankfully the IL96 had plenty of space!!!
100 bags for just the crew is crazy. Now we know how Cuba survives the embargo and how privileged those crew member must be.
Till
Aug 14, 2009, 5:18 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RSW/FMY
Programs: All, but no status!
Posts: 754
Hmm, this is not what I'd expected from the thread title.
Whenever I travel to Africa or Latin America, I need about half a bag for my stuff -- I fill the rest of it and a second bag up with crayons, second-hand clothes, pens, small toys, and cheap non-melty candy (like generic lollypops).
I think that's a great use of extra luggage allowance, and these things are greatly appreciated in areas where such consumer goods are unavailable, too expensive, or whatever.
I know I'm not alone in doing this; it never even occurred to me to take luxury items to sell to the wealthy.
Whenever I travel to Africa or Latin America, I need about half a bag for my stuff -- I fill the rest of it and a second bag up with crayons, second-hand clothes, pens, small toys, and cheap non-melty candy (like generic lollypops).
I think that's a great use of extra luggage allowance, and these things are greatly appreciated in areas where such consumer goods are unavailable, too expensive, or whatever.
I know I'm not alone in doing this; it never even occurred to me to take luxury items to sell to the wealthy.
Aug 14, 2009, 8:45 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA Gold AAdvantage Elite, Rapids Reward
Posts: 38,320
They have arrangements with customs. The more legitimate ones are registered as commercial importers. The shadier ones simply bribe their way through.
Some airline crews (Cubana and Air Zimbabwe come to mind primarily) are well known for this activity as well. I remember one day when a porter wheeling a cart with ~20 suitcases came up to the Cubana crew checkin desk at Gatwick. That was just for the captain!! There were over 100 bags between the entire crew. Thankfully the IL96 had plenty of space!!!
Some airline crews (Cubana and Air Zimbabwe come to mind primarily) are well known for this activity as well. I remember one day when a porter wheeling a cart with ~20 suitcases came up to the Cubana crew checkin desk at Gatwick. That was just for the captain!! There were over 100 bags between the entire crew. Thankfully the IL96 had plenty of space!!!