Job Discussion Forums

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

When flying, the checked bags are weighed but not usually the hand luggage. If you put books in hand luggage and do a convincing impression of the bag being as light as a feather, you can probably get away with about double the weight limit. Also, with most scheduled airlines, they don't actually charge excess backage unless your checked bags weigh more than 50% over the limit.
OK if everyone did this the plane probably couldn't take off, but until they weigh all passengers.... I reckon that the combined weight of me and my bags is probably still less than the fat bloke and his legitimate luggage!

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

A lot depends on the airline. And the route. Some will charge you for 1kg excess. Others will let you through with 10kg or more.

Rates for unaccompanied baggage are significantly cheaper - and sometimes this will go on the same flight.

grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

I had 14 kg excess coming back to the UK from Madrid. They (British Airways) charged me for 7 kg at €15 a kilo. I learned an expensive lesson.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

€15 a kilo

How much is that ?

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

shenyanggerry · Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 619 Location: Canada

My carry-on bag coming back from China last year weighed 20+ kilos. I weighed it. No problem except lugging it through four airports. Smile

johnslat · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 8:18 pm Post subject: Much of a muchness

Dear scot47,

"€15 a kilo

How much is that ?"

Same answer as for buying a yacht: If you have to ask how much, you can't afford it.

Regards,
John

FGT · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Turkey

Agreed, it depends on the airline and the bolshiness of the check-in clerk. I've been doing this for 11 years and have had to put my hand (painfully) in my pocket twice. PS Stanstead is worse than Heathrow!

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Now, that's good advice FGT.

Never flown out of Stasted though

Celeste · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:07 am Post subject:

My husband and I came to Japan with the max. baggage allotment from Vancouver. We each had 2 suitcases (packed to the max. limit of 30kg) and we both had 10kg back packs. (You should have seen the looks on the faces of our bosses when they picked us up at the airport!) We mailed 10 boxes to our employer, and half the boxes beat us to our destination. (This really surprised me because we arrived within a week of having mailed the boxes surface mail) THe other half of the boxes were there within a week of our arrival.

The way I look at it, I am not visiting Japan. I have moved here. When we arrived, we bought furniture and appliances to make ourselves totally comfortable, knowing that if we were comfortable, we would not only enjoy our Japanese experience more, but stay here longer.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Celeste,
Is your husband also in the JET program?

Celeste · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 9:32 am Post subject:

Gordon-

Yes, my husband and I are both on the JET programme.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Celeste · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:27 am Post subject:

Alas, JET stopped flying participants business class a couple of years before we entered the programme. We were in coach with the rest of the rabble.