How much luggage do you take on holiday? Over the years we've realised that for us less is more and take increasingly less on each trip. Decided that for our next week long holiday it's going to be a cabin bag each only and spend the hold luggage charge on a decent meal.
Constantly amazed at how much people do take on holiday. Do you travel light or heavy?
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Any tips on how to shift the boss to this way of thinking will be welcome. A week away for her means 14 outfits - one per day and per evening, and at least half a dozen pairs of shoes.
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Hell's teeth ! What's that in kilos then?
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>> Hell's teeth ! What's that in kilos then?
We haven't had a flyaway for ages but I restrict her to the allowed weight. Unfortunately she then grabs some of mine.
When we are travelling by car, it depends on the size of the car:)
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>> Any tips on how to shift the boss to this way of thinking will be
>> welcome. A week away for her means 14 outfits - one per day and per
>> evening, and at least half a dozen pairs of shoes.
You have my sympathies. Used to be there!
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>> Any tips on how to shift the boss to this way of thinking will be
>> welcome.
Get her to carry all her bags, say you're going to get some exercise and walk to your accommodation rather than a taxi or pop a couple of bricks in her bags. Any of those ideas any good?
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>> Any tips on how to shift the boss to this way of thinking...
Easy if you do this before marriage anyway. Or even for your honeymoon. Take her away for 3 weeks touring the south of France in a Westfield.
One soft bag of kit between us strapped behind the roll hoop. Mainly T shirts and skiddies. Bin them or get hotel to launder them when no longer fit for use and/or buy new ones if required. Only spare shoes were flip flops for the beaches.
Best hols ever.
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I try to travel as light as possible. Depends on where how long and where and what you are doing. Ive taken 13kg on last trip which was a week holidaying. Ive gone as high as 55kg+, all depends on the circumstances.
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>>Do you travel light or heavy?
Zero travels heavy I believe.
:}
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>> How much luggage do you take on holiday? Over the years we've realised that for
>> us less is more and take increasingly less on each trip. Decided that for our
>> next week long holiday it's going to be a cabin bag each only and spend
>> the hold luggage charge on a decent meal.
Mrs Z has been the archetypal heavy packer. Anything less than 20 kilos per week was blazing rows impossible.
Waiting at Gatwick for four hours for baggage cured her of that. Last year we went to Spain for a week with 7 kilos of hand baggage each, and this year we will do the same. Getting off the plane and out the airport in 30 minutes max has become the norm.
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We have done up to a week with hand luggage only with ease. Two small cases (light ones) that are actually a bit smaller than the Ryanair minimum size. But you can't then take things like a decent camera, walking boot,... quite a bit I suppose.
We often travel with Thomas Cook where the luggage limit is 15kg each for checked in luggage and 6kg hand luggage. So you can take two big cases and two small ones to take on board if you want.
I have a really light weight large case at the moment. It gets to 15kg before it's full. So it's too big really.
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>> you can't then take things like a decent camera, walking boot,... quite a bit I
>> suppose.
You can take walking boots, you just have to wear them on the plane.
Cameras, pads, phones go into a deep pocketed poachers gillet.
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>> Cameras, pads, phones go into a deep pocketed poachers gillet.
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A good tip. It highlights a point about passenger weight.
Surely this whole lark about how much luggage you can take with you is not the fairest system. The plane still has to carry the weight whether it is luggage or body fat.
Maybe they should charge for excess body weight like they do for excess baggage?
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I'd be really ( not ) pleased to end up seated next to a fat bloke in a gilet full of his worldly goods...
:-(
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>> I'd be really ( not ) pleased to end up seated next to a fat
>> bloke in a gilet full of his worldly goods...
>>
>> :-(
You are going to be stuck next to some other jock with only one pair of shoes, so shut yer gob.
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Bobby's going to the Outer Hebrides in a tent this year so it's probably safe.
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Londers! Welcome back! We thought you'd...well never mind.
}:---)
The plane still has to carry the weight whether it is luggage or body fat.
Well, yes it does but that's not really the point. Airlines limit and charge for baggage because the cost to them is in getting it into and off the plane; passengers who lug their own save them the trouble. That's why the charge is for the hold not the cabin - although the effect is to drive more bags into the cabin where they slow everyone down.
Weight of passengers and luggage is generally dwarfed by the weight of the plane and its fuel. An A380 can weigh 600 tonnes at takeoff, of which only 60-80 tonnes would be passengers and bags, even if every passenger was huge and took the full allowance.
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Tangentially, I wonder what they put in the presumably underutilised hold space now?
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"I wonder what they put in the presumably underutilised hold space now?"
Nothing - it costs money to load and unload stuff, and more (much more) money to get it airborne. I've heard long-haul aircraft described as 'flying tankers with passengers sat on top' :-)
Instead, airlines are spending on retrofitting cabins with bigger overhead bins to take more carry-on bags in preference. And that makes perfect sense, in a market where even a 747 has no resale value beyond taking the engines off it because of the amount of fuel it burns per passenger compared to more modern aircraft.
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Boeing has designed new luggage bins for the 737 which holds 50% more luggage because small cases can be put in on their side rather than flat. Downside is it eats into head room. These bins can be retrofitted so I'm guessing Ryanair will have them soon.
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>> Boeing has designed new luggage bins for the 737 which holds 50% more luggage because
>> small cases can be put in on their side rather than flat. Downside is it
>> eats into head room. These bins can be retrofitted so I'm guessing Ryanair will have
>> them soon.
Only if there is money in it. Cant see that angle yet!
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Ryanair are now saying the first 90 carry on bags that meet their size limits are guaranteed a space in the cabin. The others get tagged and carried in the belly, but you're not charged for them.
Going on past form, I can't see Ryanair paying to retrofit aircraft - especially as their fleet will be progressively replaced by the 737 Maxes they have on order - unless:
- they can't change the carry-on luggage rules again without losing customers
and
- the retrofit costs less than paying ground handlers to load the excess bags (unlikely...the deals they extract from secondary airports are eye-watering)
CityJet can't fit wheelie bags in the overhead lockers on their Arvo 146s, so they tag the bag at the gate, take it from you at the steps of the aircraft and sling it in the hold. When you step off the plane, you pick your bag back out of a line at the bottom of the steps. I can sooner see O'Leary Air doing that.
(Aeroflot has it sussed with the Ilyushin 86 - you boarded via folding stairs into the belly, stowed your own suitcase and then went upstairs onto the passenger deck to take your seat!)
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>> (Aeroflot has it sussed with the Ilyushin 86 - you boarded via folding stairs into
>> the belly, stowed your own suitcase and then went upstairs onto the passenger deck to
>> take your seat!)
And then you got drunk with the already ratted pilot and died in a horrible fireball of death.
Happy days.
;-)
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>>I wonder what they put in the presumably underutilised hold space now?
Freight. And profitable stuff it is too.
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Freight has the added advantage that it doesn't complain, doesn't expect coffee and sandwiches, and doesn't really care how it gets from A to B so long as it gets there on time.
But carrying freight in the belly of a passenger aircraft makes more sense on longhaul routes with long turnaround times. Low-cost carriers - especially Ryanair - don't carry freight because they can't offload it within their 25 minute turnaround time - and squeezing an extra round trip into the day with passengers upstairs pays better.
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>> You can take walking boots, you just have to wear them on the plane.
But then I won't have another pair of normal shoes with me.
>> Cameras, pads, phones go into a deep pocketed poachers gillet.
A Lumix G2 won't fit into a pocket easily.
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The whole point about travelling light is deciding what you really really need. A bulky camera does not fall into thqt category for me. Smartphone provides all my electronic needs. Shoes can be a problem but I can fit a pair of lightweight shoes in the case and wear trainer type walking boots.
It is a revelation how little you really need to get by when you have to and quite liberating.
Last edited by: CGNorwich on Tue 28 Apr 15 at 22:06
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Over the years we've realised that for us less is more and take increasingly less on each trip.
I give up. Does that mean you take less or more?
I'd love to be the truly light packer I read about, especially on business trips. But 36" legged trousers and size 13 shoes aren't to be found in every European or South American department store, so I'd be only one spilt coffee or muddy puddle from, if not disaster then at least embarrassment. So I tend to travel with spares, which of course pumps up the mass as well as the volume.
To compensate I've bought an iPad Mini and a keyboard, in the hope that for at least some trips they can take the place of my Corporate Drone Edition HP laptop. No luck, so far - I've taken both - but it's lovely for watching videos on the plane home.
If I'm going for more than a night or two I check my bag in. Even though I can get enough kit in a carry-on bag, lugging that weight through the airport is no fun, and these days I have enough airline status (!) for the bag to appear reasonably promptly on the conveyor.
Holidays are a different matter: France by ferry so the general rule is that if it'll fit in the car it can come - unless it's a bike, in which case it travels outside.
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On the other hand WDB, I do a fairly regular business trip to New York. Usually 2 nights / 3 days sort of thing. I get everything I need for personal use and work in a day pack. Admittedly there isn't much you can't buy in NY if it was unexpectedly required. ( especially if you're a normal size anyway )
;-)
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"I give up. Does that mean you take less or more?"
More or less always less. Less is more.
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>> "I give up. Does that mean you take less or more?"
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>> More or less always less. Less is more.
>>
That's what I thought you meant. . . . . . Well, more or less. ;-)
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When flying on a 'normal' holiday I take sub 10k so hand baggage only. Last Oct to Madeira for a weeks walking I took 8kg, including walking gear. Ski hols I use the full 20kg. Boots, helmet, gloves x2 etc etc. My cold weather jacket, which I wear, has the pockets stuffed to bursting. Off to Jersey soon for a weeks walking. 10kg allowance is way too much!
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Hand luggage only for us.
My usual business trips are no more than 3 nights, so no problem there. Family holiday, 2 weeks in costa blanca in August will be hand luggage only.
Kids only need shorts, t-shirts and flip flops so not much weight there :-)
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Personally I try to do "light" but this year took way too many shorts and t shirts on my 2 weeks in Florida.
SWMBO insists we buy additional luggage allowance. Last time we did that (for a week's cruise, and it's not that cheap, even when pre-purchased), we were both under the standard allowance. That hasn't stopped her insisting we do the same for a 9 day cruise in late Oct. The bizarre thing is you buy and extra 5kg but it has to be NOT in existing luggage, i.e. a third bag to go in the hold, so instantly some of the additional weight goes in your luggage bag.
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I pretty much always with checked luggage, I hate carrying stuff. Its typically just a wheely bag though so I could take it hand baggage if I wished.
At one point I was sharing my life between Sao Paulo and San Francisco. One long weekend I decided to fly back to SF and didn't bother to go home from the office in Brazil, just went straight to the airport and walked on a plane with my hands in my pockets.
What a mistake. US Customs just absolutely refused to accept that anybody could fly long haul without any baggage, hand or checked, simply a phone, wallet and passport. It was a nightmare of questions and checks.
After that I used to take a bag even though I often didn't need one.
Last edited by: No FM2R on Tue 28 Apr 15 at 23:51
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Ha, reminds me of when I worked for one of the ferry companies in IT support, I was called out into Dover to fix problems one Sunday afternoon while painting my house. It was all fixed by about 7 pm but while I was on my way home I got an urgent call to go to one of the French ports. My return ferry was in teh dead of night and there was I in painty clothes with just a briefcase. It wasn't often I was stopped and searched but that time I was!!
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Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
Or in my case, take a little travel steam iron and 3 days worth of clothes will last eternally (for two weeks by the pool). Well, it works for me and the kids - rinse 'em out, hang 'em on the balcony, iron 'em as needed. Travel very, very light. Wifey on the other hand, is a completely different matter.
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That's no way to treat your children. Didn't M Jackson try that once?
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A family of 4 that I know are going to Greece for a week with hand luggage only. The permitted size is generous and 23 kg should be enough for anyone on an informal, non dressy holiday. Plus, some other airlines, even Ryanair!, allow a second smaller piece of carry on which has to fit under the seat in front of one.
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If the photos I link to were really taken on an LG G4.... wow. How many of us could do without our main camera with photo capability like that?
www.pocket-lint.com/news/133750-these-stunning-photos-were-all-taken-on-the-lg-g4-prepare-to-be-dazzled
I have got good photos with my HTC One M7 but those are excellent. It might help that someone who knew what they were doing took the photos and made sure the ones used were stunning.
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I hate luggage with a passion.
I hate holidays too although travel is a different matter.
If you're going to need suits and jackets, just don't go. That's my advice. If you must take clobber, put it in the car and drive all the way. Anyway your gear will be out of date by the time you get there, and the foreigners will have trouble hiding their smirks.
Last edited by: Armel Coussine on Thu 30 Apr 15 at 19:20
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We have, and will, winter holiday on a small Maldavian desert island. The transfer seaplane has a total luggage per person limit of 20kgs. Way more than enough for t shirts, shorts, swimwear, and a pair of sandals. This solves the luggage problem. The public buildings (bars, restaurants) have sand floors, sandals optional.
This is the type of plane.
www.kuredu.com/essentials/transmaldivian/
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Hmmm. I suppose not that many of those have crashed. Really no need to worry
You'll be fine
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>> Hmmm. I suppose not that many of those have crashed. Really no need to worry
>> You'll be fine
>>
None of the ones I have been on.
You can't beat a suntan for Christmas. :-)
Last edited by: Old Navy on Thu 30 Apr 15 at 19:51
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If that's what's you like enjoy. Not a beach person myself.
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>> If that's what's you like enjoy. Not a beach person myself.
>>
Nor am I, but I can force myself once a year. :-)
Edit
And there are beaches and beaches. It is not Blackpool !
Last edited by: Old Navy on Thu 30 Apr 15 at 20:16
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It looks lovely; Is it very busy? What age of people? Families?
For a change, you might like...
Arraial d’Ajuda
www.arraialdajudaportal.com.br/
From where you can visit...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrolhos_Archipelago
Last edited by: No FM2R on Thu 30 Apr 15 at 20:35
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>> It looks lovely; Is it very busy? What age of people? Families?
Many honeymooners, few children, islands have accommodation for limited numbers so never busy let alone crowded. Booking required long in advance year round.
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Quite sensible in an archipelago, an aircraft that can land on water.
Those used to be called seaplanes in the days when some long haul flights were in Sunderland flying boats.
The floats must slow the thing down in the air quite a lot.
Never been in one although I have flown briefly in a small twin-engined aircraft.
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>> Hmmm. I suppose not that many of those have crashed. Really no need to worry
>> You'll be fine
What can possibly go wrong?
Anyway, you won't feel anything.
And you will be under water - your spiritual home.
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>The transfer seaplane has a total luggage per person limit of 20kgs.
Don't worry ON.
We've used Trans Maldivian about a dozen times now and, although they weigh all luggage at check-in, I've never seen them refuse to take luggage onboard and most folks arrive there on scheduled flights with at least a 25/30Kg allowance.
Years ago they used to ask that you take soft luggage because it's easier to stow in the limited space available in the cabin behind the last row of seats. We take a couple of hockey-type bags.
Best way to reach the islands but it's hot and noisy.
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>> Best way to reach the islands but it's hot and noisy.
>>
Less than half an hour, better than having your fillings shaken out for hours in a speedboat.
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>> We have, and will, winter holiday on a small Maldavian desert island. The transfer seaplane
>> has a total luggage per person limit of 20kgs. Way more than enough for t
>> shirts, shorts, swimwear, and a pair of sandals. This solves the luggage problem. The public
>> buildings (bars, restaurants) have sand floors, sandals optional.
>>
>> This is the type of plane.
>>
>> www.kuredu.com/essentials/transmaldivian/
>>
Sheesh, looking at those prices, I didn't know you retired as Admiral of the fleet! ;)
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>> Sheesh, looking at those prices, I didn't know you retired as Admiral of the fleet!
>> ;)
>>
I said it was not Blackpool, we only go for a couple of weeks every two years.
Flights are Glasgow, Dubai, Male. No southern airport hassle. :-)
Last edited by: Old Navy on Thu 30 Apr 15 at 21:49
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>> >> Sheesh, looking at those prices, I didn't know you retired as Admiral of the
>> fleet!
>> >> ;)
>> >>
>>
>> I said it was not Blackpool, we only go for a couple of weeks every
>> two years. :-)
>>
Only a couple of weeks? Must have been a just a plain standard Admiral then ;)
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>> Only a couple of weeks? Must have been a just a plain standard Admiral then
>> ;)
>>
Just a poor impoverished pensioner. ;)
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>> >> Only a couple of weeks? Must have been a just a plain standard Admiral
>> then
>> >> ;)
>> >>
>>
>> Just a poor impoverished pensioner. ;)
>>
Sounds like it, best you get bunged some more money by the government ;)
Last edited by: sooty123 on Thu 30 Apr 15 at 22:02
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We have Australian friends here at the moment, they use Amsterdam as a hub to avoid UK long haul passenger tax.
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>> Flights are Glasgow, Dubai, Male. No southern airport hassle. :-)
>>
I thought it would be through Dubai, my brother went through dubai to male. They went business class by all accounts the lounge (I assume you are going with emirates) is spot on.
yeah it'd be nice to dodge them but those that count the pennies insist we go to heathrow or gatwick *sigh*
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>> No southern airport hassle. :-)
>>
Don't worry, we don't want you sweatie converts down here.
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>> Don't worry, we don't want you sweatie converts down here.
>>
Just keep sending up the money. :-)
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I used to go to Labrize, Silhouette Island, part of the Seychelles archipelago. The ex's daughter & SiL ( he was Seychellois) lived on Mahe, and if there was availability, the locals got a dirt cheap deal. Obviously we took full advantage, plus a free place to stay on Mahe and mates rates on everything!
That was in a previous life
Gotta say I preferred a weeks freeze your butt off skiing in France in January!
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I can vouch for the business class lounge in Dubai.....
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Wont catch me in there, look at all the dross they let in!
(shamelessly little changed from the Groucho Marx gag )
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I suppose if you dwell in a cold damp cultural wilderness where the sun hardly gets above the horizon in mid-winter and the local delicacy is haggis and turnips washed down with irn-bru a plane to anywhere seems an attractive option
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I suppose if you dwell in a cold damp cultural wilderness where the sun hardly gets above the horizon in mid-winter.
Good description of Norfolk. :)
Last edited by: Old Navy on Fri 1 May 15 at 12:45
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>> I suppose if you dwell in a cold damp cultural wilderness where the sun hardly
>> gets above the horizon in mid-winter.
>>
>> Good description of Norfolk. :)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32534488
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Hadrian's wall is not a thermal barrier. :-)
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>> Hadrian's wall is not a thermal barrier. :-)
Its got Yorkshire in the way.
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Holiday luggage - Manatee
