view

We are going to London for a weekend break in May, and my girlfriend will bring her SLR camera in a seperate carrybag, will that be allowed in addition to a regular cabin piece? I see they mention laptops are ok in addition to the one piece, som I'm assuming camera in a small shoulderstrap bag will be allowed as well.

divemistressofthedark

Yeah, it is, but they also say you're allowed two carryon items, which we know isn't the case for the return flight.

I learnt to check this kind of thing out beforehand upon visiting Australia back in 2003...On the trip from Los Angeles, neither Qantas website nor representatives mentioned to us the (much more restrictive) guidelines for carrying gear back to the U.S. from Oz.

So, hub and I arrived at the airport with our two standard carryons...they let me check one (for an extra fee of course) but we had a heck of a time dealing with what we'd packed, most of which was (hub's incredibly expensive) camera gear.

They finally let me on board with his $3000 camera lens slung over my shoulder and a few other things in a shoulder bag. They literally weighed my wallet. I only got to carry on the camera lens after threatening in all seriousness to find another airline or route home. Plus, their counter agents were almost universally incredibly rude and arrogant, which was shocking given how completely friendly and laid back most Aussies are.

So, I'm packing for worst case scenario on the route home. I'm going to have to carry on the laptop, but I've devised a scheme for packing camera lenses that might work. I'm packing a pair of cargo pants and a jacket with huge pockets as well...

Anyone think I can get away with a largish backpack with straps and buckles that is probably 24" long? If I don't fill it full, I can easily cram it into a cubby 22" long...I think folks mentioned the gate agents will let you stuff in extra straps and accoutrements.

Where are you seeing the bit about the laptop "in addition"? Does that mean a laptop with or without a silicon rubber carrying case? (Most of my carryon at this point will be eaten up by my laptop and SLR camera...it'd be nice to have some wiggle room.)

SmilingBoy

ONE BAG! ONE BAG! You need to put your camera in your ONE BAG! No shoulderstrap bags allowed if you already have another bag! ONE BAG means ONE BAG! No laptops. No purses. No hand bags. No laptop bags. Only ONE BAG!

(this only applies to flights departing from the UK. Arrivals but not transfers are fine.)

(If you plan for anything else - blame yourself for not following this advice. I would say that the few reports of additional items allowed are mistakes by the agents.)

(And I don't like it either.)

SmilingBoy.

Jenniferpa

What smilingboy said! I don't know where you saw that laptops are OK, but ONLY if they fit in that one bag. Note: we are talking outbound from the UK. Coming in, depending on who you are flying with, you should be OK. To reemphasise this point I have seen people with 2 bags given 2 options: go back and check one, or put it in the trash. Bearing how long it can take to check-in, the trash has seemed quite a popular option.

view

Thanks for your clear answer SmilingBoy, we booked with BA and their website states the following:

Passengers travelling to the UK only

There are currently restrictions in place for passengers departing from the UK or connecting onto another flight in the UK. Please see above for further information.

These allowances apply for all passengers entering the UK only:

* one standard-sized bag - maximum size of the bag, 56x45x25cm (22x18x10in)
* plus one laptop or briefcase


We will certainly pack the camera in a bigger carry-on, she can just take it out afterwards if needed.

Jenniferpa

That's for TO the UK. It's the going out you potentially have problems with.

SmilingBoy

As you can see, this is only for your outbound to the UK. For your flight from the UK, other restrictions apply (from your extract it appears that they are mentioned in the e-mail as well).

SmilingBoy.

view

Whoops, my mistake. So getting out of there will be the potential problem then, camerbag in carry-on bag it will be on the return leg.

Thanks both.

spainflyer

I have three carry-ons. One fits just under the 56 cm limit for height, with wheels, the other two are 59 cm tall.

It is in width and depth that they don't come close to the new EU permitted size for your one bag. They are much smaller than the sizes permitted:

* 45 centimetres wide (approximately 17.7 inches) -- mine are both 35 cm

* 25 centimetres deep (approximately 10 inches) -- mine are 17 cm deep

Can anyone tell me what brands actually take advantage of EU permitted size (that is, 56 x 45 x 25 cm) and where they can be bought?

Thanks.

divemistressofthedark

Hey folks, I can't find anything about *checked* bags. I'm assuming I'm allowed two bags with a limit of 22 kilos apiece (without paying fees) - I would assume the flat limit is 31 kilos after paying the extra weight fee. I can't find any information at all about permitted sizes, though.

Would someone be so kind to let me know if I'm off base with this? Thanks.

Markie

I think this varies by carrier - BA for example have recently severely limited the amount of checked baggage.

Jenniferpa

This is totally specific to the airline you're travelling on, class of service, and sometimes, destination andd/or FF status.

nbevan

As I mentioned in another thread
It would really be handy to have a bag that took advantage of the maximum width (45 cm), although you would then be too wide to wheel it down the aircraft aisle.

divemistressofthedark

Thanks, folks. I think I'm good, as I've got one 60" bag and am just barely over 50 lbs. with it. I may have one other (packed a duffel) on the way back, but no way will I hit 50 lbs. in both bags - unless I buy a *lot* of Union Jack t-shirts.

Also packed one of those fishermens' vests with the zillion pockets and a pair of cargo pants with huge side pockets, so I'm all set if I have to carry all my foodstuffs and jewelry on my person...will report back with any checkin hijinx. I'm may go for the gusto and try to carry on a pillow in addition to my carryon (though it's older and I can trash it if needed.) Thanks for the info!

(Oh, and p.s. - just found out about the American Airlines' 90 day challenge today and will come within 50 points of clearing Gold Elite with this roundtrip flight. Three cheers for Budget Travel magazine, which ran the AA story this month.)

[Edit: Just reread the whole thread...]

???? What new fresh hell is this...?

Was talking to a flight-attendant friend about these restrictive carryon rules, and she pointed out it probably has everything to do with conserving fuel. The heavier the plane, the harder it is to get good mileage. If they can just harrass all the pax into packing/carrying nearly nothing, the more profit for airlines, all this talk about baggage handler safety regardless.

Makes sense to me!

alanR

No they haven't, they've reduced it to the levels that many US airlines have used for a couple of years now.

Read the baggage rules for BA, they are still generally BETTER than most other airlines for even cattle class travellers