Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Oreovictim]

So how many suitcases did you bring to Korea? I need to know if I should buy two suitcases or if I should buy one of those five-piece luggage sets.

(If you're a woman reading this, you don't have to answer. It would be more accurate to get an idea from the guys out there.)

Also, are you still allowed to put those little locks on your luggage? Someone told me that after 9/11, airports discouraged those locks and might cut them off so that they can look through your stuff.

[mindmetoo]

Rules might have chanced since the latest terror warnings. I brought two carry on and two checked. I got those space bags, where you smoosh out all the air. Those are great. However, one must remember while they reduce volume they don't reduce the actual weight. Your bags can get very, very heavy. Also many airlines are very 아날 about checked luggage weight.

Consider mailing yourself clothes. Don't pack a lot of socks. You can buy those cheaply on the streets of Seoul. Pack few toiletries, as well.

[ChopChaeJoe]

Don't even bring clothes. Wear two sets of nice clothes on the plane (wasn't that in a Seinfeld episode) and pack a suit. Buy the rest here. bring a few pairs of shoes as the quality is poor here.

I was allowed to bring two checked-in bags and a carry-on, plus my notebook computer. My bas were searched, so I don't think locking it is a good idea. Your computer probably will be stolen if you don't carry it on, as will anything else of high value.

Just pack the things you want for life over here. Everything you need you can find ceaply. Excepot deoderant, bring a year's supply. And bring pepto bismal and antacids. They will provide occasional comfort.

[Wangja]

The first trip in Jan 99, I had nearly 90kg: I did a deal with check-in, left my bass guitar, and there was no charge. I think it was 5 cases.

(I had a business trip back to Europe a week later and took the bass then).

[huffdaddy]

[passport220]

I came here after living in Thailand. Things are so much cheaper in Thailand that I packed a lot. I had one large suit case and one medium sized checked. I had a laptop bag, and two shopping sized carried on bags filled with tailor made clothes.

The airline was ok with the weight (I was over somewhat but the Thai attitude is to let things slide if they can) but it was a chore moving everything into my final home in this distant province.

[bhog]

Hey Oreo,
I just arrived in Anyang yesterday. I brought 2 large suitcases (checked), 1 carry-on, and 1 personal item (laptop).

[JongnoGuru]

[Lizara]

About the socks, though... I find a Korean pair lasts for *maybe* two months before they start to develop holes, which isn't really ideal in a country where you have to walk around inside without your shoes. Socks don't really take up tons of space in your suitcase either. I'd recommend bringing them from hom.

I brought over one giant suitcase, one small one, a backpack and a laptop bag. I pack pretty light though. If you don't know your exact address then I think it's definitely worth "wasting" a lot of your packing space on clothes as it can be really hard to find ones you like over here.

You can find shampoo and such things *very* easily, and they're heavy and potentially messy, so don't bother bringing much, if any, of those.

[mindmetoo]

[OiGirl]

I am a woman so I'm not going to comment on what I brought, just the quantity.

Two checked bags (locked with TSA-safe locks and untouched,) a carry-on and a personal item (laptop case.) The checked bags and carry-on are, in fact, from a luggage set. One of the checked bags was overweight and I ended up unpacking it into an expandable duffle I had brought for that very purpose, and paid US$80 to check as a third bag. I also shipped a few boxes surface.

[Captain Corea]

Last time I flew from Canada (May) there was a 50lb limit per bag.

Of course I didn't let them see what the scale said

[ajgeddes]

When I came over, I brought two hockey bags both packed to within 1 pound of the limit. I also had a laptop and a small backpack. I would suggest just bringing over your clothes and anything you are really attached with. You can buy pretty much everything here, but you don't want to go shopping for clothes when you first get here. That is a whole experience itself.

[ella]

You can usually check bags over the weight limit - for a fee.

[ttompatz]