Beware the Check-IN naz_'s

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redrat

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Went to check in for a QFA flight to Noumea a couple of months ago at the BNE Int a/p with carry on baggage only and was asked if they could weigh the bags. Upon placing the brain bag with pc & sundry papers the total came to 10kg. The second bag with clothing came in at 4 kg.
I was told that the brain bag was too heavy & would go into the hold or I should swap bag contents around until 1 bag was at 7kg or less. After forlornly looking at the luggage shop on the other side of customs I tried to do the swap. The only way I could see out was to carry the 3.5 kg laptop separately, carry on the brain bag with wheels (4.5 kg) and check the clothing bag to the hold.
After the third weigh in and the check-in naz_ telling me that I was unsafe because I said "this is how I travel the world over", something snapped inside & I told her that this day I had decided not to travel to Noumea.
The business travel people arranged me back to a car, hotel and home to travel via Sydney the next week. Happily all the business arrangements fell into place for travelling that next week and since then I've been telling everyone within earshot not to travel QFA internationally out of Brisbane with anything but light carry-on.
The tragedy of it all is that 7kg is the limit (look at a paper ticket) - domestically & internationally.
I am yet to see the 7 kg limit imposed anywhere else.
 
Carry on Allowance

I went on Qantas about two years ago with a carry on holdall FULL of beer for my ex-pat mate in Hong Kong as a birthday present.

Mate, this thing weighed in at about 20 Kgs and no one said anything.
 
I have been on numerous trips interstate and International and was never asked to check heavy or oversized bags.

I got away with 30kgs at one point in time on an international leg back to Sydney.

Domestic trips is even easier to get away with it. It seems like they like you to carry onboard luggage as it saves them time loading/unloading any more bags than they have to.

:roll:
 
Well since then my company was expensed for a new laptop bag that should fit in even the tightest overheads.

If I carry on a second bag, I'll just have to make sure it has locks in case it goes into the hold.
 
redrat said:
Went to check in for a QFA flight to Noumea a couple of months ago at the BNE Int a/p with carry on baggage only and was asked if they could weigh the bags. Upon placing the brain bag with pc & sundry papers the total came to 10kg. The second bag with clothing came in at 4 kg.


It's not like QF make a secret of their carry-on restrictions, they go to great lenghts to inform pax of these at every turn. Whilst the 7kg limit is rarely enforced to the letter (particularly for those of us with Platinum tags on our bags), there's really no comeback when you get told to carry on 7kg or beat it.

My normal domestic & international Y carryon consists of a laptop bag weighing in at around 8-12kg and another bag for snacks, drinks, misc paperwork, copies of "Soldier of Fortune", etc weighing up to 5kg - I've only ever been pulled up ONCE, on a Crash-8 service BNE-NTL.

International J is a different matter, particularly when you can have a garment bag stowed safely in a locker. I'm actually quite happy that QF limit carryons in this way, God forbid that we should ever get to teh ridicukous point in the USA where people regularly carry on 100kg+ of luggage, and the first 5 pax on board snaffle all the overhead locker space - no thanks.
 
The check-in chick didn't bat an eyelid when she saw my Plat card :?

BTW when I got back to the Sheraton I was talking with an older couple whose daughter struck similar problems at the same check-in about 6 months previous. In their case the check-in bag was too heavy and upon being told that the freight staff might break a back or something had to pack some clothing in a separate plastic bag to divide up the weight.
 
redrat said:
The check-in chick didn't bat an eyelid when she saw my Plat card .

But, I thought that having a Plat / Gold / QC Card was supposed to give you extra baggage allowance (regardless of the class you're flying) ? If it was a bronze member or person sans FF card, I'd understand.

http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/qantasClub/benefits#jump0

QUOTE - "Your baggage will be given Priority tags when you check-in for Australian and New Zealand domestic services, operated by Qantas and QantasLink. Members may also check-in one extra piece of baggage on Qantas operated Australian domestic services* and New Zealand 737 domestic services, and an additional 10kg of baggage^ on international services which are marketed and operated by Qantas.

*Excluding QantasLink services operated by turboprop aircraft (Dash 8's and Beechcraft) ^There is a maximum weight of 32kg for any one piece of baggage on the domestic or international network. One piece on flights between USA/South America and Australia. Size restrictions apply. Qantas Club extra baggage allowance is not additional to Platinum, Gold or Silver Frequent Flyers' extra baggage allowance."

As a question - I'm flying with a garment bag first time soon (I've never had the need to use one until now), what do people normally do to stow them ? Throw them in the overhead lockers, or hang them up in the cloakrooms ? I've even seen people fold dust bags over and put the bottom over the coathanger, then have those go into the hold, but I wouldn't want my suit creased in the hold. Hence, I'm tempted to carry on my garment bag, but I'm wondering if this is practical / allowed.
 
icemann said:
But, I thought that having a Plat / Gold / QC Card was supposed to give you extra baggage allowance (regardless of the class you're flying) ? If it was a bronze member or person sans FF card, I'd understand.

As a question - I'm flying with a garment bag first time soon (I've never had the need to use one until now), what do people normally do to stow them ? Throw them in the overhead lockers, or hang them up in the cloakrooms ? I've even seen people fold dust bags over and put the bottom over the coathanger, then have those go into the hold, but I wouldn't want my suit creased in the hold. Hence, I'm tempted to carry on my garment bag, but I'm wondering if this is practical / allowed.

1. The extra baggage allowance applies to checked luggage only - the only way to get more carryon is to spring for a J or F ticket.


2. I nearly always fly with a garment bag, and check it unless flying J internationally (or domestically on a red-eye, so I can have a shower & change before departure). Never had a problem with suits being overly crushed in the hold - mine is a sturdy Samsonite unit that normally accomodates 1-2 suits. Forget about ironing shirts before you pack, they'll get murdered, but the suit should be fine.
 
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But, I thought that having a Plat / Gold / QC Card was supposed to give you extra baggage allowance (regardless of the class you're flying) ? If it was a bronze member or person sans FF card, I'd understand

Sorry, I misled you. The overweight baggage in the hold incident was a non FF traveller, so they incurred the full wrath (read power) of the check-in staff.

I've learnt through watchful experience that you need to tread very carefully with check-in people as they have the means to make your trip very uncomfortable. I haven't had it happen personally but I've heard them boast about it.
 
I've learnt through watchful experience that you need to tread very carefully with check-in people as they have the means to make your trip very uncomfortable. I haven't had it happen personally but I've heard them boast about it.

Doesn't being courteous apply to everyone you deal with? The check in staff, the security staff and particularly the cabin crew are all able to make your life miserable. Be polite on the other hand and they can make your life quite pleasant.
 
Absolutely :)

However it's when your J class food is served dog meat raw and the replacement meal (fish) is also raw and you try to complain and, and...
and I'll make that part of another subject.
 
shillard said:
mine is a sturdy Samsonite unit that normally accomodates 1-2 suits. Forget about ironing shirts before you pack, they'll get murdered, but the suit should be fine.

Cheers for the help, much appreciated. I've just gone and got a Samsonite too, beautiful black nylon one. I got one on the advice of my boss, who actually set out to see how his Samsonites would hold up on a massive year long round the world tour - he was very impressed at the hardiness of them.

Now, I'd never leave without it.

Has anyone used the QC Collection Twin Shirt / Blouse Pack at all ? I've looked in David Jones and Myer and can't see one in there, they seem as rare as hen's teeth for what appears to be a very useful little bit of kit. I'm half tempted to get one from the QC collection, because the price is fairly reasonable, but if anyone HAS seen them outside of the QC Collection catalogue, please let me know.
 
redrat said:
Absolutely :)

However it's when your J class food is served dog meat raw and the replacement meal (fish) is also raw and you try to complain and, and...
and I'll make that part of another subject.

Correct. I was in HKK and I saw someone literally screaming at a check in attendant because they couldn't get their 5 (very overweight) suitcases checked in for free in Economy.

I said to the gate attendant at the J desk "No one should have to put up with that". Being nice to the person who is serving you is just common courtesy in my view, good on you redrat. I've seen some people act like real jerks, and strictly no offence meant to ANYONE here (I apologise in advance), but I have witnessed some elite frequent flyers (particularly Americans) that I have noticed have raised hell with a gate agent over something small, just because they believe their status makes them Mr or Ms 'God' - if it was justified, that's a different matter, but some of these guys went out of their way to be utter jerks.

(I don't mean to poke fun with this little joke- but...) the replacement meal wasn't sushi, was it ? :) :D

Sorry.
 
redrat said:
Ha :) Sushi would be a real treat on a QF flight. I think they should try it.

I heard that in some of the Star Alliance lounges (Thai) in HKG / BKK they do serve Sushi. I would be up for that. Wouldn't knock it back.

What about the Japanese lounges ?
 
shillard said:
- mine is a sturdy Samsonite unit that normally accomodates 1-2 suits. .

I've had various Samsonite bags but the latest one that I got for the hold was the all hard & flexible shell plastic one with the key latches at the side & combination on the top. The FA's use a similar type.
If you know someone at QF they can buy them really cheap. It's gone the longest without repair (1.5 yrs & lots of travel) against all the other bags that would only last two/three flights max. The suit carries well & I keep the soft plastic that they come back in from the dry-cleaner to keep it from wrinkling. I saw a STAR Alliance mag that said this method worked for ironed shirts - but that's proved false.

The samsonite carry-on (replaced the too heavy tow along) is a perfect replacement and has a dual zip arrangement on the end so that the laptop can be easily extracted for the x-ray machine.
 
Ha Sushi would be a real treat on a QF flight. I think they should try it.

:D Real food would be a treat on most Qantas flights.

(Mostly, still better than what you don't get with DJ though)
 
Gas Canisters

I had several interesting run-ins with this. I'll explain. Cans of deodorant, shaving cream, hairspray etc. in my carry on (which is where they're supposed to be).

The most impressive where I was checking in from LAX to LHR and was told by the BA check-in that I couldn't pack these cans in my bag, they would have to go in the check in baggage for the hold.

I turned around to her and said very quietly (so as not to cause mass panic) "You realise that if you do that, they'll explode ?" and then explained to her the basic physics of pressurised containers and why they can't go in the hold. She quickly agreed that carry on was the best place, especially since it was in a pressurised cabin. What was this person doing working on an airline desk ?!

BTW - I often get my bag taken to one side after it's been through the x-ray to check what the said canisters are (any ways around packing essential toiletries in canisters like this ?), in case it's mace or CS gas (which it isn't). Does anyone else get this ?
 
Re: Gas Canisters

icemann said:
BTW - I often get my bag taken to one side after it's been through the x-ray to check what the said canisters are (any ways around packing essential toiletries in canisters like this ?), in case it's mace or CS gas (which it isn't). Does anyone else get this ?

Well it's simply a matter of personal preferences. I have shave cream in a tube, pump action type hair spray (gel/conditioner type spray) and roll-on deodorant. Have used them since before I started flying a lot - so I can't say it is deliberate - but it saves heaps of space and you never get dragged aside.
 
Re: Gas Canisters

icemann said:
I had several interesting run-ins with this. I'll explain. Cans of deodorant, shaving cream, hairspray etc. in my carry on (which is where they're supposed to be).

BTW - I often get my bag taken to one side after it's been through the x-ray to check what the said canisters are (any ways around packing essential toiletries in canisters like this ?), in case it's mace or CS gas (which it isn't). Does anyone else get this ?


I use an electric razor, pump-spray deoderant, and have hair that often leads me to be mistaken for Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise, so no - I can't say I ever experience the same problem....
 
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