The great hand luggage only challenge!!!

[Evan]

Or maybe I just looked dodgy?

I guess so

I walked into HKG 2 days ago with only a ver small carry-on. The customs guys looked at like everybody else and did not look like they were going to stop me to ask anything.
In Australia being my home country i would have not been ever looked at or asked. And if i was rather easy to just say, hey i live here i have stuff at home.

E

 

[whereishome]

In Australia being my home country i would have not been ever looked at or asked. And if i was rather easy to just say, hey i live here i have stuff at home.

Australia is mine too, but they still had a bit of a go. I dunno. I hate flying through Cairns on international connections though, so maybe they picked up on that vibe.

I had the same issue coming back in through BNE - got flagged for an "interview" which was the last thing I wanted after a cattle-class flight in the exit-row next to the bassinets and 9 hours of screaming colic/ear pressure babies.

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Travelling internationally with carry on only...

I've got a short trip to Washington coming up in a fortnight... I've just been to Sydney for the weekend taking carry on only and it is sooooo nice not having to bag-drop-pickup (was 2nd row back in the main cabin=no waiting for taxis!)

I was discussing with +1 how nice it would be to just use a roll aboard (and would need to take a poster tube as well, although may end up getting some one to print said posters in the US)

So the trip is MEL-LAX-ORD-DCA 5 nights in the Bethesda Marriot and then IAD-LAX-MEL...

So has anyone here done a USA trip carry on only? Crazy idea?

 

[serfty]

Not crazy at all; a 22" 'rollaboard' and a laptop bag do me quite well for most trips.

See this thread for more:

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com.../great-hand-luggage-only-challenge-10900.html*

*[AKA: the Church of Minimal Luggage]

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Re: Travelling internationally with carry on only...

Thanks! (Search engine FAIL on my behalf)

Given I am not taking a suit (I was hopelessly overdressed last time I attended the same meeting last year) looks quite do-able!

 

[rtyuiop]

Re: Travelling internationally with carry on only...

I do carry-on only internationally when I can too, no problems at all. It's *fantastic* for getting into the queues for customs and immigration before the rest of the plane (particularly good when coming home to Brisbane and the complete mess that customs generally is in BNE).

It can be made even easier if you're OK with going out and buying toothpaste etc. at your destination!

Danny

 

[notmensa]

Re: Travelling internationally with carry on only...

It's absolutely do-able and very liberating!!

My first international carry-on only trip was to Europe with Korean Air ex Sydney, Christmas eve. I joined the back of a very, very long queue. A few minutes later, a gentleman from KA who was directing people in the queue asked me if I had luggage to check. I said no and he immediately took me to the business class check in. It's worth seeking out a customer service person as soon as you get to the airport to see if you can jump the queue.

You may get some odd reactions from check-in staff - I've had a few tell me that it was very suspicious - but I just smile and say I'm planning to shop while I'm away. I'm careful not to say anything that could be construed as a threat.

 

[simongr]

Re: Travelling internationally with carry on only...

As the instigator of the GHLC I am possibly well poised to respond

There are some things to consider:

- It is frakking cold in the US at this time of year so that might bulk out your hand luggage unless you are planning to wear your warm coat to board the flight and/or in transit
- Check your company's policy on getting laundry done in hotels - not everyone will pay for laundry
- factor the cost of laundry into your trip - it can be pretty steep in some hotels
- if you have multiple short stays at hotels make sure you factor that into your planning for what clothes you will take for laundering. A lot of hotels wont do same day laundry on a sat/sun. I have been caught out not having time to get clothes laundered before changing hotels/cities
- be prepared to get very used to the same clothes on the trip - you wont be a fashionista

My most successful trip on HLO is syd-hkg-usa(Orlando and NYC)-cyprus-syd over three week.

It is a liberation from queues at check in, waiting for bags to arrive (or not) and loading cars at either end

It is however more work - you need to plan more, physically it is more tiring (dragging a suitbag and rollaboard through the airport at speed can be hard work), you need to learn how to roll rather than fold clothes and over time you need to learn how to eke out max space in that luggage.

You also need to either be flying J or be prepared to be convincing with airline staff that your 12KG bag really isn't 12kg

 

[rtyuiop]

Re: Travelling internationally with carry on only...

The other thing worth mentioning is that for some reason US passengers like to carry on the actual kitchen sink, so overhead space can be at a premium over there. At least, that's what it seems like to me in my limited US domestic flight experience...

Danny

 

[Blackadder]

Re: Travelling internationally with carry on only...

Indeed overhead locker space on domestic flights in the US is a case of how quick you can board and claim your bin space. (advantage of priority boarding status )

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Re: Travelling internationally with carry on only...

Yep, well and truly aware of that...
J upgrade request is in for MEL-LAX (put in by a QF SG) and being AA PLT I have UG requests using 500 mioe UG on all my internal flights... But I dont mind to much having to gate check the roll-aboard when I am on AA

The real key is to be able to walk off the A380 in LAX and wizz through LAX customs (an area I truly do not like) and ditto @ Mel on return...

 

[davidj-bell]

Re: Travelling internationally with carry on only...

I've got a short trip to Washington coming up in a fortnight... I've just been to Sydney for the weekend taking carry on only and it is sooooo nice not having to bag-drop-pickup (was 2nd row back in the main cabin=no waiting for taxis!)

I was discussing with +1 how nice it would be to just use a roll aboard (and would need to take a poster tube as well, although may end up getting some one to print said posters in the US)

So the trip is MEL-LAX-ORD-DCA 5 nights in the Bethesda Marriot and then IAD-LAX-MEL...

So has anyone here done a USA trip carry on only? Crazy idea?

Yep, it's doable. I quite often go to the US/elsewhere with just carry-on. I normally take about 1 week's worth of clothing and use laudromats.

Only thing to be aware of is customs got a bit funny with my partner for going to the US with only carry-on luggage - they searched his luggage.

 

[ozscot]

Re: Travelling internationally with carry on only...

I do this all the time on 3 week DONE4 trips. I've got a Red Oxx Air Boss which can take 5 days of clothes plus laptop & cables, essential toiletries and a couple of books. There's no room for a coat, suit or second pair of shoes.

I can use hotel dry cleaning as required but as simongr says you do have to manage when you'll be in a hotel long enough to do this if you're moving around frequently. Sometimes I'll also go into JCPenny and buy a couple of shirts at less than the cost of hotel laundry if they'll squeeze in the bag.

The bag is undoubtedly heavier than strictly allowed on many airlines but as it's soft sided and you've got it slung over your shoulder I've never been queried and even had it on-board and squeezed into the bin on an American Eagle ERJ-140 flight ex-LAX this week. That is one small plane where you can't even stand upright in the aisle.

Cheers,
Steve.

 

[Mal]

Re: Travelling internationally with carry on only...

Been there. Done that several times! 8 days is my record, but by the end of some journeys I was wishing I took a proper suitcase!

I don't roll, I fold my clothes. I find enough clothes to fit ok into my baggage. Depending on the carrier, sometimes I have weight concens - for example Finnair weighed my bag (max was 7 or 8kg) at check-in, saw it was 11.6 and didn't cause any hassle! But other carriers can be more pedantic.

I also carry a "laundry" bag within my carry-on, and find I normally have to fold my laundry items before my bag becomes normal sized again!

I've washed clothes in hotel sinks etc, as well as thrown out clothes and replaced them.

Once you go hand luggage, you struggle to go back to checked baggage. Sometimes you have to though - for example, to get a stein of beer back home I had to check my luggage in at Munich!

I suppose I can sum up with the following:
- A bag will grow in size and weight based on what you buy and how you can pack.
- A full bag at check-in will often turn into an over-full bag when you leave your destination.
- Learn how to travel lightly, and stick to those rules!

 

[jamesatfish]

Re: Travelling internationally with carry on only...

I keep my usual 2 week AONE4s to carry-on only, and it's a great way to travel.

I pack an electric toothbrush and a razor but the rest of the amenities I grab from the on-board amenities kits or from the hotel - the same with PJs which I use from the long-haul flights. If I need a suit (unusual) I just wear that on board with a suit bag in my luggage to hang in the plane; similarly I will wear a sports coat or jacket on board to save packing that in luggage.

As others have mentioned you need to get used to rotating through the same clothes every day or so but I have neither the figure nor the inclination to be a fashionista so that's never bothered me.

It's a process that takes refinement - even on my last trip I managed to carry an item of clothing around the world unworn - but well worth the ease of travel and flexibility when things come up. On several occasions I've been able to make tight connections or even be transferred to another airline (AA bought me a First ticket on US Airways at the last minute once when I was stuck in Las Vegas) all because there was no baggage in the hold to worry about.

Unfortunately (well, fortunately actually) all my upcoming trips will be with baby in tow, so the carry-on days are well and truly gone. I'll miss them.

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Re: Travelling internationally with carry on only...

I hear you James! This is my first trip sans family in a while... last OS trip was for a month in Chicago with a bit of luggage (no where near our limit... two OW Saph + a QFF NB = a lot of luggage allowance!)

 

[Maca44]

Re: Travelling internationally with carry on only...

I have my next carry on trip to the USA in August. It will be just over three weeks, but the weather in good at that time of year so no heavy clothing required. You need to take clothes/shoes that compliment each other to swap etc, but then the good things far outweigh those small problems. I am fortunate to be staying with friends in the USA so have the opportunity of laundry. The good side is not having to wait for luggage to arrive and depending on the number of flights you have, that could save a considerable time. Domestic F on AA also saves time with the designated security lines, but my best was 12 months ago when I arrived back in Sydney and took 16 minutes from the time I stepped off the a/c to the footpath outside the terminal.

 

[vhzkn]

Re: Travelling internationally with carry on only...

Only way to go, IMHO. I usually get some quizzical looks and are-you-serious questions from Customs-type people, more usually in Oz than in the US, but am yet to suffer a brutal interrogation or any sort of search as a result.

The LAG rules can be a pain to work around, depending on the circumstances, but the post office can help there.

 

[anat0l]

Re: Travelling internationally with carry on only...

I am very much contemplating breaking my mould to do this.....

The problem I'm fearing is if someone will weigh my cabin baggage and perhaps find it too heavy. As always, if it looks too heavy it'll probably get weighed, but putting that aside.....

There's not many problems with fashion stuff as I'm not going to any business conferences so casual all the way. I usually wear jeans and I'm not a woman so matching clothes is a no-brainer.

For my Fiji trip coming up, this is quite easy to achieve and considering my trip is only for a few days, even easier.

The challenge will be a 10 day trip (including Oz Fest) from 22/05 - 31/05. The whole trip is - of course - personal, not business, so no business shirts, trousers or suits required. My main motivation for going HLO is to:

• Avoid checked baggage ending up on the other side of the world
• Given I'll be going through a lot of international places, I don't want to be held up by too many baggage claim areas
• I have a couple of connections which can get a bit tight, especially if they are delayed and if I can't route luggage through, then that will put a spanner in the works.
• Speed, and to try something new

Regions travelled will include SE Asia, HKG and ADL. ADL will be cold, not entirely sure what the climate will be like in SE Asia/HKG in late May (humid? = silly question)

I got used to washing my clothes in the sink whilst in Europe (hotel shampoo has more than one use for sure). After a while it does feel better to have a full wash on the clothes, but I refuse to pay the extortionate prices for hotel laundry (that is, if I have to pick up the bill).

I'll wear some socks twice, but I do not wear underwear more than once without washing (so none of this bother with "wear it the correct way, then the incorrect way, then same thing inside-out").

So at the moment I anticipate having:

• 4 shirts (3 in the bag, 1 worn)
• 2 jeans (1 in the bag, 1 worn)
• Netbook + charger
• Camera + charger
• Mobile charger
• International adapter
• Document wallet - passport, e-tickets, hotel booking confirmations
• iPod charger (or just charging cable)
• 4 pairs of underwear (3 in the bag, 1 worn)
• 4 pairs of socks (3 in the bag, 1 worn)
• 2 pairs of shoes (1 running shoes, 1 casual - which will be worn)
• 2 casual T-shirts
• 1 pair of jogging shorts
• Jacket - mainly for ADL to keep warm, so more something I'll carry with me for the first part of the trip. Still, useful for when it gets too cold in the airport/onboard, and for stuffing extraneous items inside the pockets
• Amenity kit - lotion, shaving cream, safety razor, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, eau de toilette; don't think I'll need soap/body wash (should be supplied)

This I anticipate will work if I keep up a wash cycle of at most once every 2 days. In saying that, it still looks like a lot! Anyone identify any improvements with all of that? And perhaps anything I've missed in the quick analysis?

Thanks for the link to the other HLO thread - looks interesting!

 

[serfty]

...

I really think you should look at that other thread. (In fact these may be merged)

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com.../great-hand-luggage-only-challenge-10900.html

In any case - at a casual glance then:

- 1/one/ONE pair of Denim Jeans IS Plenty!
- Learn to use shaving oil