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jillford64 · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 397 Location: Sin City

I am returning to Morelia via Continental on Monday. Between June 4 and Aug 31 they have an Excess Baggage Embargo for flights going in to Morelia. For economy class passengers this mean you are allowed only 2 checked bags that cannot weigh more than 50 pounds each. You cannot pay the extra money to take extra bags.

Does anyone know how strict they are on this? Right now my bags weigh 55 and 53 pounds.

My next problem is that I've got a lot of books I want to bring with me, but can't because of the restrictions. Got any alternative shipping ideas?

Jill

Irish · Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 371

Unfortunately, I can't help you with Continental but I do have an idea from the books if you're currently in the US: it's called a sea bag or an M bag. It's simple to use and a lot cheaper than excess baggage on a major airline.

All you have to do is pack your books up in a box, take them down to your local post office, and ask for an M bag. They'll give you a little card to fill out then pop the box into a large bag. Last summer I mailed approximately two dozen books to my Istanbul address from Seattle for about 25-27 USD.

Naturally, there's a catch: it takes weeks to get them. In my case, it was about 10-12 weeks. I don't know if Mexico has a shorter wait time. But it didn't bother me as I mailed my books out at the start of my 6-week vacation home so the wait didn't seem as long. Everything arrived in good condition, which was my most important concern.

Have a look at this site http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub51/pub51_008.html#vnameref_1 for more details. If you're not American, perhaps you can ask your postal service if they have something similar.

Buena suerte!

deadpoet · Joined: 31 Jan 2005 Posts: 12 Location: Los Angeles

I work for CAL but this advice is from any airline....why don't you just take some things out of your bags and put them in a carry on that you can take on the plane?

jillford64 · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 397 Location: Sin City

Unfortunately, my allowed carry-on suitcase for the overhead bin and personal item for under the seat are already at their maximum as well.

M@tt · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 473 Location: here and there

you need to just wear layers of clothing. you can probably get by if they're both 52 pounds. you might need to put on some extra clothes in the airport. then take them off in the plane bathroom and stow them. that's what i would do, anyway.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

I'm one of those who travels light when I fly: one medium-sized suitcase and one small carry-on. I'll be flying Continental a bit later this month. Maybe with the limit on number of pieces of luggage and weight, it won't take "forever" to get through the luggage security check lines. Last year my flight out of Merida was delayed an hour and a half, because it took security so long to inspect the contents of all the luggage. At least that's the reason that was announced over the airport's public address system.

jillford64 · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 397 Location: Sin City

Yeah, I always try to pack light as well, but this time I had to pack for a for 10 to 12 month stay here in Morelia so I couldn�t get by with my normal small roller back and day pack. Anyway, my bags weighed in 50.5 and 51 lbs, and the nice young man at the check-in counter didn�t bat an eyelash.

Jill