Logistics behind delivering a Crazy Gift on a 30 hour flight?

[JerseyVics]

This is one of those ideas that I have often, and always think to myself... nothing good will ever come out of it... but I think its worth a try and would love to hear people's opinions on it before I do it... instead of doing it and regretting it later...


Anyway, I'm flying for my cousin's birthday from Brisbane to South Central France... 3 segments, last one being on an Embraer 145.


The other day I thought to myself... hey wouldn't it be nice to surprise her with a giant Koala plush animal as a present for her birthday... that measures about 1 meter high and about half a meter in diameter?


After I stopped laughing to myself... I wondered how the hell am I going to make it work?

I don't want to check it in as a separate bag... I don't want it to get dirty... I want to carry it on board... but its not like I will stowe it overhead... it will have to sit on my lap for 30 hours...



I'm willing to do it... but will the flight attendants give me cough for it?


please advise...


thanks!

--Russ

 

[nlagalle]

You could always buy another ticket so the Koala had it's own seat!!!

 

[JerseyVics]

You could always buy another ticket so the Koala had it's own seat!!!

what class would it book in and will I get miles/points? LOL

 

[albatross710]

I don't want to check it in as a separate bag... I don't want it to get dirty... I want to carry it on board... but its not like I will stowe it overhead... it will have to sit on my lap for 30 hours...

Would it fit into one of those "singapore shopping bags" so that it can be
checked in?

Having it on your lap is going to be a pain by the time you are one hours out of departure.

I think it would be a hit with most FAs. Take photos, post trip reports, a bit like the pictures of gnomes that end up all over the world.

Other cabin passengers may not see it so kindly.

 

[Mal]

That's really not that huge when you think that stuffed toys "compress" well. They often bounce back quite well too after being taken out of their compression chamber.

If you wanted to take it onboard, some FA's will get a good laugh out of it, some will look at you strangely, and perhaps some will tell you off for whatever safety (or airline) rule they feel you are breaking.

Still, you trying is worthy of a trip report (including photos), so please give it a go.

BTW- I brought 2 bags full of women's clothes+cookware+random guff for a friend when I returned to Australia for my ~36 hour visit recently. I was waiting for Customs to give me a secondary, and having to explain things - but luckily that didn't occur.

Some people carry some weird things with them!

 

[JerseyVics]

yeah... on my flight home the girls sitting in front of me had a hand puppet... and the FA's from LHR-SIN and SIN-SYD were all playing with it and taking pix.

I'm not doing it for the attention I would get in transit... I'm too shy for that.

But for the reaction I would get at this tiny little airport in France from it's intended recipient.

 

[docjames]

Just do it!

Buy one that squashes to carry-on size (it'll bounce back) and just carry it in a plastic or linen bag to keep it clean.

Dont worry about what anyone thinks - you can always tell them why you're carrying it.

Of course, if you start doing laps of the plane introducing it to everyone, that might be a different matter.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Just do it; the only problem I can see is at Singapore and Paris when changing planes, as you will have to carry it around with you.

 

[JerseyVics]

Just do it; the only problem I can see is at Singapore and Paris when changing planes, as you will have to carry it around with you.

this is where the idea originated, on Phillip Island.... but I was too quick to dismiss it, stupidly!

 

[simongr]

Just chuck it in a bag - it will be fine.

 

[JerseyVics]

I may bring a big clear garbage bag along... if they request I gate check it, at least it won't get ruined.

 

[docjames]

If it's that size, i'd go the checked suitcase option and get the recipient to open the suitcase!

If it goes just in plastic and gets gate checked, the risk is the plastic will tear and it'll get dirty anyway.

 

[Justinf]

That is one big mother of a stuffed koala dude. Perhaps the koala can request an upgrade?

 

[samh004]

Wow, that's one helluva big koala.

I think it would be a hit with most FAs. Take photos, post trip reports, a bit like the pictures of gnomes that end up all over the world.

I did that in 2007, was great fun, though Willard came in a pelican case and was substantially smaller than that koala.

 

[JerseyVics]

I would not dare bringing something that big... its just a photo I had taken that inspired this idea.

I need to find a life-size Koala to buy though, substantially smaller than that one.

 

[medhead]

I would not dare bringing something that big... its just a photo I had taken that inspired this idea.

I need to find a life-size Koala to buy though, substantially smaller than that one.

If it's life sized, just throw it in a suit case with some gum leafs.

But a life size koala would probably be within carry on limits anyway.

 

[JerseyVics]

found my Koala... although after taking a closer look (actually holding it in my hands and inspecting it like a crazy person in a CBD souvenir shop) it looks really flimsy... the 55cm one is too soft, so when you hold it upright the head is too heavy and falls over... kinda coughpy quality if you ask me.


the next size down is better but it has too many babies attached to it... one on the back and one held in hands in front... I do like it and its not "too big"


CBD location $75 bux... found same on at the Brisbane Market today in Rocklea for $20 bux cash.... asked the guy to search for a slightly larger one for me minus all the babies and will give me a call next week.


Good stuff!

 

[Evan]

What a crazy idea
And i would just take it onboard, they can probably put it in a coat closet or something for you, just make sure you have a bag for it so it wont get dirty.

 

[Hvr]

Hope it all goes well, I guess we can summarise this thread with the question: "how much can a koala bear?". :mrgreen:

 

[JerseyVics]

Hope it all goes well, I guess we can summarise this thread with the question: "how much can a koala bear?". :mrgreen:

Not sure how much I can bear this koala any more... it was humiliating walking around South Brisbane and CBD trying to take a decent shot at the starting point... there were more tourists taking pictures of me than I was of myself... that's pretty unusual.

but bribed someone to take a shot for me on the CityCat:

Its not as big as I wanted it to be, but big enough nonetheless. And I accidentally spilled perfume on it... so now it stinks too... if the sight of it won't catch people's attention on the plane... the stench surely will.


Oy vei!

--Russ