Questions for seasoned travellers. (34)
Hi Jan, Have you looked into backpacks? I spent 3 years traveling and found it to be the easiest way. The really good ones will cost around 200 euros but are worth it. Mine had access from the top, sides and bottom so by packing in layers I could easily access whatever I needed without having to go through the whole thing. It was especially good when traveling through rail stations in Europe that had lots of stairs, so much easier and lighter on your back then trying to drag a case up stairs. The lighter they are the more ecpensive they run, but again worth it because they are much lighter then suitcases and alot more durable. My poor backpack was slung on the top of chicken buses in Central America, and has endured over 40 flights without any noticable damage.
Get a man! Allow him to pack his toothbrush, razor, one pair of socks, a pair of underpants and a clean shirt. Take the rest of his luggage allowance - easy, huh? 
rusty_knight: Get a man! Allow him to pack his toothbrush, razor, one pair of socks, a pair of underpants and a clean shirt. Take the rest of his luggage allowance - easy, huh?
You're right, men are very useful in this respect. My ex husband complied with this for over 25 years!
rusty_knight: Get a man! Allow him to pack his toothbrush, razor, one pair of socks, a pair of underpants and a clean shirt. Take the rest of his luggage allowance - easy, huh?
Isn't that a bit like bringing sand to the beach?
jbibiza: Isn't that a bit like bringing sand to the beach?
Naughty!
I travel a lot and if you see what most business travellers and air personnel pick up at the baggage belt its always a Samsonite bag.
Some are relatively light when comparing the same size and material with other brands.
I have the same problem with weight, sometimes really excessive too and I think a bag with a kilo less just isnt going to make a difference for me.
Some obvious tips to even the odds:
-Turn up at the airport early
-Scan for a happy face at the desk
-As soon as you hand the passport ask about seating arrangements or flight times or meals or something but as soon as they start talking or looking at the screen gently place the bag on the belt. Dont wait for them to ask you to put the bag on the belt. They have a routine so try to break it.
Some are relatively light when comparing the same size and material with other brands.
I have the same problem with weight, sometimes really excessive too and I think a bag with a kilo less just isnt going to make a difference for me.
Some obvious tips to even the odds:
-Turn up at the airport early
-Scan for a happy face at the desk
-As soon as you hand the passport ask about seating arrangements or flight times or meals or something but as soon as they start talking or looking at the screen gently place the bag on the belt. Dont wait for them to ask you to put the bag on the belt. They have a routine so try to break it.
Jan1305: You're right, men are very useful in this respect. My ex husband complied with this for over 25 years!
Then the cheeky man wanted to add a book to read on top of the spare undies and shirt and toilet bag, and you said 'No' and that was the beginning of the end of your marriage?
Wimmin! You give them 95% of your luggage space and then they want the lot! (just joking - ok?)
rusty_knight: Then the cheeky man wanted to add a book to read on top of the spare undies and shirt and toilet bag, and you said 'No' and that was the beginning of the end of your marriage?
Wimmin! You give them 95% of your luggage space and then they want the lot! (just joking - ok?)
Wimmin! You give them 95% of your luggage space and then they want the lot! (just joking - ok?)
I know when you're joking Rusty!
Thanks to everybody for the advice. I have new luggage, a little lighter, and I'm going to try to be ruthless with my packing for the next three months in Russia.
Hoi Jan ... you could always use lots and lots of carrier bags ..... like you been doing Duty Free shopping!
I`m always amazed at the amount of "shopping" bags that get hauled into planes! Then too, could bluff you`re an artist, and use one of those very broad brown tubes that you roll canvas`s up in - marked "Fragile" ..... and stuff it full of your clothes! ..... Artists get a lot of sympathy on flights .. and sometimes the paintings are overlooked for weight ... just make a fuss about it having to be hand delivered on arrival.....not put on the baggage roller ... and it is very difficult to weigh, being so long......... 
I have this mental picture of you arriving at the airport check-in ...... .... Okay, okay, I know that`s not your style .... exactly!
I`m always amazed at the amount of "shopping" bags that get hauled into planes! Then too, could bluff you`re an artist, and use one of those very broad brown tubes that you roll canvas`s up in - marked "Fragile" ..... and stuff it full of your clothes! ..... Artists get a lot of sympathy on flights .. and sometimes the paintings are overlooked for weight ... just make a fuss about it having to be hand delivered on arrival.....not put on the baggage roller ... and it is very difficult to weigh, being so long......... I have this mental picture of you arriving at the airport check-in ......
.... Okay, okay, I know that`s not your style .... exactly!smoky: Hoi Jan ... you could always use lots and lots of carrier bags ..... like you been doing Duty Free shopping! I`m always amazed at the amount of "shopping" bags that get hauled into planes! Then too, could bluff you`re an artist, and use one of those very broad brown tubes that you roll canvas`s up in - marked "Fragile" ..... and stuff it full of your clothes! ..... Artists get a lot of sympathy on flights .. and sometimes the paintings are overlooked for weight ... just make a fuss about it having to be hand delivered on arrival.....not put on the baggage roller ... and it is very difficult to weigh, being so long.........
I have this mental picture of you arriving at the airport check-in ...... .... Okay, okay, I know that`s not your style .... exactly!
I have this mental picture of you arriving at the airport check-in ...... .... Okay, okay, I know that`s not your style .... exactly!
I feel obliged to pass on smoky's details to Interpol forthwith!¬
rusty_knight: I feel obliged to pass on smoky's details to Interpol forthwith!¬
Well... how you think I managed to transport my shotgun? ..... with all these new stupid laws in air travel.....!
smoky: Well... how you think I managed to transport my shotgun? ..... with all these new stupid laws in air travel.....!
Very good...........and where did you hide the elephant gun?
rusty_knight: Very good...........and where did you hide the elephant gun?
Gave that one to the guy handling the security - for being so kind as to personally transport my "paintings" onto the plane.......
... Damn... then they got my nailfile in my handbag!
Jan1305: Do you often get hit for excess baggage charges?
I've found that staff at some airports are much more lenient than others, it's a rip off in my opinion and one of my pet peeves, especially when you're boarding a half empty plane with just a couple of kilos over.
As I often go away for relatively long periods I have to pack enough for the duration so my choice of airline often depends on their baggage allowance as well as ticket price...both vary enormously and the cheap airlines sometimes work out more exppensive in the long run.
Can any other travellers recommend particularly light but durable luggage? I'm looking for new suitcases at the moment to take on my next trip to Russia.
I've found that staff at some airports are much more lenient than others, it's a rip off in my opinion and one of my pet peeves, especially when you're boarding a half empty plane with just a couple of kilos over.
As I often go away for relatively long periods I have to pack enough for the duration so my choice of airline often depends on their baggage allowance as well as ticket price...both vary enormously and the cheap airlines sometimes work out more exppensive in the long run.
Can any other travellers recommend particularly light but durable luggage? I'm looking for new suitcases at the moment to take on my next trip to Russia.
Cabin bag only,max dimesion,max weight. Mind Ryanair now charge you three euros for not having a suitcase to check in!!!
Elley: Cabin bag only,max dimesion,max weight. Mind Ryanair now charge you three euros for not having a suitcase to check in!!!
ahhhhhhhh, but if you check in with Ryan Air online and only have hand luggage and don't actually fly yourself - the 'fine' for not turning up is only 55,000 euros plus tax! (joking - I don't want to be taken to court for libel thank you very much)
Seriously, I think you'll find the three euros fee is for 'manually' checking in and doesn't apply if you check-in online......though they don't make it very clear when you pay!
So, it's like this - provided you only have hand luggage you can 'check in' online and you don't pay anything extra....apart from airport taxes - also pay by debit card or they'll charge for your using a credit card.
Elley: Cabin bag only,max dimesion,max weight. Mind Ryanair now charge you three euros for not having a suitcase to check in!!!
Elley I'm female, I'm leaving a warm climate for freezing weather in Russia requiring thick clothing and coats, I'm going for three months, I have my laptop......do you really think I could go with just a cabin bag?
Ryanair are the worst....their total baggage allowance (including hand luggage) is a measly 15k!
Jan1305: Elley I'm female, I'm leaving a warm climate for freezing weather in Russia requiring thick clothing and coats, I'm going for three months, I have my laptop......do you really think I could go with just a cabin bag?
Ryanair are the worst....their total baggage allowance (including hand luggage) is a measly 15k!
Ryanair are the worst....their total baggage allowance (including hand luggage) is a measly 15k!
My advice is to wear six to sixteen layers of clothing when you travel to Russia.... that way you'll be nice and warm when you arrive and stange men should give you a wide berth as you waddle through the departure lounge!
Jan1305: Elley I'm female, I'm leaving a warm climate for freezing weather in Russia requiring thick clothing and coats, I'm going for three months, I have my laptop......do you really think I could go with just a cabin bag?
Ryanair are the worst....their total baggage allowance (including hand luggage) is a measly 15k!
Ryanair are the worst....their total baggage allowance (including hand luggage) is a measly 15k!
1.When you land go straight to M and S. Buy the things you need and return them and get your money back just before you leave.
2.Don,t fly with Ryanair.
3.Don,t go to Russia.
4.Buy thermal longjohns.
5.Freeze to death (joking Jan,ok).
6.Go to a local Russian Oxfam store when you get there.
7.Send your things over by container.
8.Find a handsome Muscovite to keep you warm.
9.Take someone from CS with you.
10.Ignore the fool who wrote this list.
rusty_knight: ahhhhhhhh, but if you check in with Ryan Air online and only have hand luggage and don't actually fly yourself - the 'fine' for not turning up is only 55,000 euros plus tax! (joking - I don't want to be taken to court for libel thank you very much)
Seriously, I think you'll find the three euros fee is for 'manually' checking in and doesn't apply if you check-in online......though they don't make it very clear when you pay!
So, it's like this - provided you only have hand luggage you can 'check in' online and you don't pay anything extra....apart from airport taxes - also pay by debit card or they'll charge for your using a credit card.
Seriously, I think you'll find the three euros fee is for 'manually' checking in and doesn't apply if you check-in online......though they don't make it very clear when you pay!
So, it's like this - provided you only have hand luggage you can 'check in' online and you don't pay anything extra....apart from airport taxes - also pay by debit card or they'll charge for your using a credit card.
Seville airport,Ryanair check-in
" Any bags to check in sir ?"
" No"
" Any hand baggage?"
" Yes"
" Can I see it please sir?"
" Yes "
" Ah, thank you sir, you have to go over to that office and pay three Euros."
Now,join a second queue to pay said three Euros. Once three Euros is paid...." Can you please now queue up again at the check-in desk sir and show them your reciept to prove you,ve paid the three Euros".
Four queue,s and two bstd hours later,no time to visit duty free shop to replace bottles of wine which had to be disposed of before passing passport control.
Is this to make me buy my wine on board!
Added to all this is the fact that my so called cheap flight, one euro to go,one to come back,actually cost me a hee of a lot more.
Next Christmas I,m staying put.
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I've found that staff at some airports are much more lenient than others, it's a rip off in my opinion and one of my pet peeves, especially when you're boarding a half empty plane with just a couple of kilos over.
As I often go away for relatively long periods I have to pack enough for the duration so my choice of airline often depends on their baggage allowance as well as ticket price...both vary enormously and the cheap airlines sometimes work out more exppensive in the long run.
Can any other travellers recommend particularly light but durable luggage? I'm looking for new suitcases at the moment to take on my next trip to Russia.