'The MSE Towers' Budget Airline Jacket-Bag...' blog discussion 6 July 2010 at 4:36PM in Martin's blogs & appearances & MoneySavingExpert in the news 17 replies 5.1K views

Former_MSE_Penelope

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's "The MSE Towers' Budget Airline Jacket-Bag..." Blog.

Please click reply to discuss below.

Gordon_the_Moron

What can they do about it unless they start weighing people as well as luggage (that will never happen as it would not unjustly cause uproar from overweight people) how can they stop you getting on with things in your pockets?

JimmyTheWig

The key to this is finding one with a poacher’s pocket (big pocket at the back).

Is that where the laptop goes?
Doesn't sound particularly safe and secure in a busy airport.

Talent

I am really annoyed with Martin ;-)). I've been doing similar tricks for years. I can now see that the budget airlines are going to do something about this and we will all lose out. They make you take jackets off now to pass through the x-ray. It would be simple for them to weigh each tray at that point and hit you with a surcharge.
Another worry is that the extra weight being carried onboard, if every passenger did this, would be unknown to the loadmaster. I've worked for Civil Aviation departments and it is a real problem. After a specatacular crash on take-off in the USA a few years ago it was found that airlines had been seriously under-estimating the average weight of passengers because the 'average' person had got heavier. This, coupled with a small fault in the aircraft control surfaces, killed everyone omboard.

brd_2

Don't forget that some good cargo/combat trousers have many pockets.
I always use them when travelling for a book, specs, documents etc.
Can't take them off but makes life easier in cramped seats!

Ross_McGibbon

I've stuffed my pockets for long trips but generally - who needs more than 10kg for a weekend trip?
Are there people who can't live without a laptop in a poachers pocket? Why not use a phone or an internet cafe. Or even live without the internetnet for 2 or 3 days.

I took 8kg to India for a month and it was plenty. Perhaps we could keep airfares down by just travelling with less. That way you don't need a wheely bag, which are heavy and take away from the amount of books & suncream you can fit in.

Happy travels,
Ross

pinkfluffybabe

I've been doing this for ages with combat trousers for my purse/specs/phone and so on.

However, publicising it on here will allow the Michael O'Leary's of this world to find a way to get around it

I'd be all for weighing people onto planes, it's dreadful being next to someone taking up half of your space as well as their own.

glider3560

Perhaps the budget airlines will soon have a "Pocket Surcharge": £5 for each pocket on your clothing.

mystic_trev

Just seen this. Pity they can't research their own articles!

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/bargains-and-rip-offs/travel/article.html?in_article_id=508371&in_page_id=1093&expand=true#StartComments

terra_ferma

I found some more vests:
http://www.shopwiki.co.uk/_Royal+Robbins+Field+Guide+Vest?s=717605&o=330193361

http://www.farlows.co.uk/product/aigle-sundown-travel-vest

http://www.orvis.co.uk/store/product.aspx?pf_id=0H79&adv=9652&cm_mmc=channeladvisor-_-google-_-2008-_-9652&CAWELAID=479841849
(£55 on sale at the moment)

http://www.nevisport.com/detail.asp?DepartmentID=46&CategoryID=62&ProductID=833619
£18, hidden pockets, including at the back

http://www.rawoutdoors.co.uk/ReviewsSubmit.aspx?ModelID=3405

mini

bit worried you told everyone when Jenny is going on holiday!