TRAVEL WITH CABIN BAGGAGE RATHER THAN CHECK IN LUGGAGE

 

 

I have blogged about ‘Baggage woes during travel’ in my blog for lost or damaged baggage

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2019/05/baggage-woes-during-air-travel.html

And have described the predicament of waiting for your bags to arrive at the carousel

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2017/11/waiting-for-your-bags.html

I don’t mind reaching the airport early, as advised by the airline but I feel my baggage should be spinning on the carousel by the time I reach the baggage belt. But that hardly ever happens. As travellers, we're universally obsessed with when our bags appear on the luggage carousel. We rush from the plane to the baggage hall, immediately furious that our suitcase isn't waiting for us. Equally distressing is the scenario of a damage that our baggage may have suffered – a broken handle, a missing wheel.

 

So how can you avoid all this? Soon your flight-mates will start congregating around you and the 'dead as a dodo belt' like migrant geese. How can you steer clear of this? Flying business or first class means you'll almost always get a "priority" bag tag that separates your luggage out from the herd. But that's not really a trick, so much as a privilege.  Some frequent flyer programmes offer this as a perk, even if you're stuck in economy.

 

So, of late, I have started travelling without a checked in baggage. I stick the sanctioned size of the cabin baggage, keep it preferably below 7 Kg and keep the rest in a sling bag which has my laptop. The downside of this method is that you will not be able to pack liquids or any other items that cannot go in a carry-on bag as you will need to bring the bag with you through the security checkpoint and to the gate. This way during departures I skip long check-in lines and go straight through to security screenings and immigration controls. And on arrival at my destination I can sail past the masses huddled around baggage carousels and clear customs ahead of the pack. As if that is not enough, I've been able to take advantage of airport trains, toting just a small rolling case with smooth wheels and an overnight bag hooked on top.

 

No big suitcases to haul into a railway carriage or hoist onto luggage racks. No more standing in the aisles of crowded trains trying to catch the eye of someone who will help me. No more dodgy shoulders from lifting bags those are too heavy or awkward. Then there have been the unexpected advantages. On a couple of occasions, I almost missed my connecting flight, a common occurrence these days with so many delays due to weather, staff shortages and mechanical problems. Both times, the plane's checked luggage didn't make the connection, but as I had everything with me, I was spared the long wait for bags other passengers had to endure.

 

Downsizing has been surprisingly easy so far, as I've mostly travelled to warm climates where a few shirts and a couple of pairs of corduroy pants or jeans have been enough. As yet, I haven't had the challenge of packing for a very long trip or a trip to a cold climate, which means bringing bulkier clothes and heavier shoes.

 

But there are compromises that I have to make. My toiletries need to be under 100 milliliters and fit into a plastic bag to make it through airport screenings. I carry a Kindle rather than the print books that I prefer. Then, if I'm tempted to pick up a bottle of wine from a vineyard, I know I won't be able to get it through security. I don't have the luxury any more of bringing clothing items "just in case". I have to edit hard and cleverly, ditching things I might only wear once or twice. But I find this quite liberating. People don't care, or even notice, if you wear the same outfit three or four times.

 

The choice of airline is important

I've discovered that the critical thing is the airline you choose. Some are more generous than others in what they allow in the cabin, and some are more vigilant in restricting what you bring on. Broadly speaking, full fare airlines are more lenient with their baggage rules than budget airlines, who eye your overweight baggage as their opportunity to retrieve some money from you which they had earlier offered you as a concession on their airfare. Thus my stroller, which can weigh nine or ten kilograms when full, wouldn't be allowed in the cabin on a budget carrier, which would scrupulously weighs everything before it's brought on board. But its measurements and weight are perfectly fine for a full fare airline like Air India, Emirates, British Airways and Qantas, which allow economy passengers 10 kilograms of carry-on luggage plus an extra four kilograms of personal items, such as a handbag or laptop bag, on both domestic and international flights.

 

There is a cabin baggage customized slot (usually 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm ) , and your bag must fit inside that slot. You may carry ONE of these items with you, free of charge, in addition to your cabin baggage allowance (subject to country restrictions, where applicable):

·         Ladies’ handbag ( usually 25 cm × 33 cm × 20 cm )

·         Camera / Camera bag

·         Document bag

·         Overcoat

·         Umbrella

·         Laptop / Notebook in bag

·         Infant’s amenities and food for consumption on board. The total weight of these items should not exceed 6kg

·         A walking stick, a pair of crutches and/or other prosthetic devices, if you are dependent on them

·         A small amount of duty free goods (where permitted)

 

Prior to boarding, cabin baggage that exceed the allowed limits (usually 7 Kg in budget airlines) are collected and stored in the aircraft cargo compartment. Excess baggage charge may be added if the combined weight with the bags already checked in exceeds your checked baggage allowance (usually 15 Kg). Bringing aboard any valuable item, musical instrument, or Golfing gears or diplomatic bag in the form of Unchecked Baggage exceeding size or weight limitations, may require the purchase of one or more additional seats next to the passenger(subject to availability). So be very careful with your cabin baggage.

 

Carry it effortlessly with a swag

Another trick that I have learned while towing and hoisting my stroller is keeping it light helps a lot as heaving 10 kilograms of bag onto the overhead lockers is quite an effort. I also don't want to look like I'm struggling in case the flight attendants twig and take it away to be checked in the hold. Internationally, I've just breezed through, even on airlines that are officially more restrictive, because if the airlines staffs notice that I am struggling with my stroller, they will surely weigh it. So far I haven't been stopped or asked to weigh my bags! There's a bit of swagger involved. The idea is to look professional and have it all well-contained, not in messy and overflowing bags. Get it in the lockers quickly and don't hold up others. A couple of kilos extra weight won't matter to flight attendants if you're a considerate passenger.

 

It is always worth remembering that overweight bags can be sneaked in but oversize ones are a complete no, no! You will be surely asked to check it in. The choice of bag matters too. The lightweight clamshell type with a side that compresses can fit in an amazing amount of clothing, but they can weigh two or three kilograms empty, so you have to be very careful how much you put in. I have a small overnight bag as well that can fit under the seat if necessary.

 

 

What you can’t carry in your cabin baggage

·        Personal items - Lighters, Scissors-metal with pointed tips, Realistic replica of toy weapon.

·        Liquids more than 100 ml – beverages, perfumes, water

·        Sharp Objects - Box Cutters, Ice Axes/Ice Picks, Knives, Meat Cleavers, Razor-type blades, razor blades not in a cartridge, Sabres, Swords. Sikhs can carry a kripan in our inland flights but not in international flights.

·        Sporting Goods - Baseball Bats, Bows and Arrows, Cricket Bats, Golf Clubs, Hockey Sticks, Lacrosse Sticks, Pool Cues, Ski Poles, Spear Guns.

·        Guns and Firearm  or their realistic replicas

·        Tools - Axes and hatchets, Cattle Prods, Crowbars, Hammers, Drills, Saws,  Screwdrivers, Wrenches and Pliers.

·        Martial Arts/Self Defense Items - Billy Clubs, Black Jacks, Brass Knuckles, Kubatons, Mace/Pepper Spray and Martial Arts Weapons.

 

It's quite noticeable these days that more people than ever have cottoned-on to the concept of travelling with cabin bags only. Overhead lockers aren't getting any bigger and it's a frantic race to get on first and claim that precious space above your seat. But there's nothing like that breezy feeling of galloping past everyone waiting at the baggage carousel as you head for the exit!