Wine as checked baggage on QF

[Captain Halliday]

I need to get around 10 dozen cases of wine from DRW to BNE. Does anyone have experience checking wine with QF.

I know many of you move wine via HLO. I typically take 6 bottles in my carry on each trip. However, I unexpectedly need to move larger quantities more quickly.

The QF rules about dangerous goods allow wine as checked baggage within the usual limits, but I've see what happens to suitcases and I'm not sure it's a good idea. Thoughts?

And if not QF, any other suggestions? AustPost want ~$60/ case.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I used to take a dozen bottles each trip when I was commuting to SG (6-7 months before I relocated).

I used to pack one box inside a second. Stuff all gaps with newspaper. Check in as fragile luggage. Only ever lost bottles from one shipment, and that was before the box even got on the plane (someone must have dropped the box badly and three bottles were smashed). I suspect both QF and VA regularly handle this ex-ADL and ex-PER.

 

[Daver6]

If you're concerned about what happens in suitcases, then when checking in, let them know its fragile. Get the fragile sticker slapped on it.

Might be worth contacting courier companies who deal with shipping wine. My biggest concern would be going from hot climate to hot climate here. Obviously by road is a no go, unless refrigerated.

As for checking, I've just checked in cartons as they come from a winery and get the fragile stickers on it. Never had an issue with breakage. Only ever done it on single sector flights (ADL to PER).

 

[jrod]

Check it in at oversize baggage area. It counts towards your luggage weight allocation, however business class is more generous, so it's possible to bring back a few cartons without penalty which may pay for itself rather than excess luggage fees. A 6 pack also fits in carry-on. Last time I was at melbourne airport, qantas claimed to not have fragile stickers, so I would recommend to do a bit of packaging beforehand. Frustratingly, they told me to pick it up at oversize backage area at bne, but it came out on the belt, Yarra Yering mind you!

 

[james4321]

Another option at Mel and Bne is to get the luggage wrapping service there to wrap in bubble wrap. Don’t know the cost but I know they have bubble wrap for fragile items.

 

[penegal]

Are you moving back to BNE?

You can check it. As far as I am aware, the alcohol content isn't high enough to be considered a dangerous good per say, however you will want to pack it carefully.

I sometimes take wine in a suitcase surrounded by clothes, with the bag tightly packed to prevent any internal movement along with a fragile sticker. Haven't lost a bottle (or clothes) yet. This is generally internationally however (noting that bags are packed into containers on wide bodies, rather than individually loaded on a 73H).

 

[penegal]

I am up next week. The alternative is we just try to drink it

 

[Captain Halliday]

I am up next week. The alternative is we just try to drink it

154 bottles. Will a week be long enough?

 

[jrod]

154 bottles. Will a week be long enough?

I highly doubt an airline would accept that much as luggage unless it was booked as freight! Your best bet is probably finding a store/cellar/broker willing to organise it I think?

 

[penegal]

154 bottles. Will a week be long enough?

Have you met me?

I highly doubt an airline would accept that much as luggage unless it was booked as freight! Your best bet is probably finding a store/cellar/broker willing to organise it I think?

I suspect the Capt is planning multiple trips, but it is still a lot to move yourself.

 

[Deleted member]

I use one of these to carry my wine when I fly, mostly after a Buzz Wine tour .
The Wine Check Australia
the bag and the insert can be flat packed / collapsed when NOT used to carry wine.
Here is mine.

 

[Flying Fox]

I need to get around 10 dozen cases of wine from DRW to BNE.

Is this 10x12x12 bottles = 1440 bottles ??? That's a lot of luggage???

 

[Captain Halliday]

Is this 10x12x12 bottles = 1440 bottles ??? That's a lot of luggage???

My bad. Poor sentence structure. It's ten cases. They're dozen bottle cases, as opposed to the six bottle cases that are becoming more common.
120 bottles.

 

[Flying Fox]

My bad. Poor sentence structure. It's ten cases. They're dozen bottle cases, as opposed to the six bottle cases that are becoming more common.
120 bottles.

Ah that would be much more reasonable to fly around the country.

I would have liked to see the agent's face if you turned to to check in 1440 bottles

 

[Captain Halliday]

I'm pleased to report that my case of wine was successfully transported by QF... just!

The large hole you see in the carton wasn't there when the carton was checked in DRW. It was just good luck that the side of the carton was facing me on the baggage carousel or things may have ended differently.

 

[QF WP]

So one case down and 9 to go??

 

[Captain Halliday]

About that... one case checked, plus a half case in hand luggage.

I'm also drinking 2-3 per week and I'm on a buying ban.

 

[Prof Henry]

About that... one case checked, plus a half case in hand luggage.

I'm also drinking 2-3 per week and I'm on a buying ban.

2-3 cases per week? You've given me a new target.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Just to clarify...

About that... one case checked, plus a half case in hand luggage.

I'm also drinking 2-3 bottles per week and I'm on a buying ban.

 

[Steady]

Just to clarify...

I just figured Penegal was in town