Do you think I'd be able to take a jigsaw mat as carry-on?

[Jurahn]

Probably a bit of an odd question I know, but when clearing out various rooms and cupboards at Mum and Dad's house following (as mentioned in another thread) Mum's sudden death earlier this week, I found a jigsaw mat (green felt wrapped around a cardboard tube) that she'd bought for me as she knew I loved doing jigsaws, but sadly never had a chance to give to me .

I'll be flying back to Perth in J on the A330 (fingers crossed) on Tuesday night - I would like to take it with me, but will already have two suitcases - Mum was quite a shopper AND a hoarder, bless her, so there'll be more than a few items coming home with me - and would prefer to take it on board anyway so it doesn't get crushed or lost. Problem is, although it hardly weighs anything, it's about a metre long so definitely outside the carry-on item dimensions. The diameter of the roll would be about 10-12cm). I'm sure the J overhead compartment would easily be long enough, but will they allow me to take it on board? Or should I try throwing myself on the mercy of the check-in staff and hope that I could slip it through as another checked-in baggage item? It's from a mail order company, so certainly not worth paying an additional baggage fee for, but for sentimental reasons, I would like to take it home with me.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Many thanks

ETA: actually, just had another look at the permitted carry-on dimensions for J , and it appears the mat would fall within the dimensions allowed for a suit-pack as far as length and depth go - I would have a small backpack and a fairly small handbag (which I could always stuff in the backpack if needed!) so I think it might be OK?

 

[mattkenny]

You should be fine. I had to travel to Taipei from Perth with a large poster for a conference presentation and didn't want to trust it in checked luggage. Sounds like the poster tube I used was the same size as what you've got. I had no questions asked at any point on my 4 flights (flying SQ in cattle class)

 

[Warks]

I couldn't take some specialised 'pliers' on the plane the other day. I'm not sure what I could have done with them - they opened outwards, if that makes sense, so I couldn't have used them to give someone a pinch.

I've taken posters on the plane before almost that long with no problem too.

 

[Jurahn]

Thanks mattkenny and Warks, that's great, looks like it will be OK then . It had better be - I'm so strung out and emotionally exhausted now that I'll probably burst into tears if there's any attempt to stop me taking it on board!!

 

[mattkenny]

It wouldn't hurt to package it in such a way that it can be checked in if needed though.

 

[Jurahn]

It wouldn't hurt to package it in such a way that it can be checked in if needed though.

Yes, I was thinking that - it's still in the plastic postal wrapping it came in and has only been opened at one end, so will tape it up, remove the label with Mum and Dad's address and label it with my name etc just in case.

 

[mattkenny]

Perfect. Shouldn't have any issues then.

 

[andye]

Sitting in BNE lounge at the moment with similar-sized poster tube-no problems bringing it out

 

[Jurahn]

Sitting in BNE lounge at the moment with similar-sized poster tube-no problems bringing it out

Fantastic, thanks for that andye - good to know!

 

[jackthomas]

Doesn't sound like you will have any issues to me. If you are concerned, you could contact VA via twitter or Facebook and ask them to make a note on your booking regarding the recent events, but I don't think this will be necessary.

Very sorry to hear of your loss Jurahn.

 

[Jurahn]

Doesn't sound like you will have any issues to me. If you are concerned, you could contact VA via twitter or Facebook and ask them to make a note on your booking regarding the recent events, but I don't think this will be necessary.

Very sorry to hear of your loss Jurahn.

Thank you jackthomas, it has been a very difficult time but we're getting there.

Yes, it looks like (fingers crossed) it should be OK. Given the overwhelming kindness and generosity of the VA J flight attendants on the way over (as described in another thread), I'm hoping there will be no problems on the return trip.