Holidays - taking bags to airport before return flight early - good idea?

pheonixrising21

Meer53, duty free wouldn't be a problem as that is after security so you can take more than 100mls of liquid on board, its the bottle you buy at the local shop before you leave for the airport. Nowhere to put that one once your case has gone! Maybe there is a trip to a local distillery and you want something at the little shop there, something like that. Doesn't even have to be alcohol, maybe you see some local liquid soaps. We couldn't even take the newly opened sun tan lotion as it was a 200ml bottle and hardly used! had to use it or risk sunburn!

pheonixrising21

meer53, its only part of the same thing I have posted about. there were several other issues, this being one of the more unusual ones, so just wanted to gauge opinion on it.

pulliptears

When we were in Egypt our flight didnt leave until 11pm so we stowed our luggage from 2pm and spent the day by the pool. I'd put some leggings in my hand luggage, I was wearing a denim mini skirt and had with me a warm hoodie and a T Shirt which I put on top of my swimming costume. The kids did the same.

If you plan your travelling outfit cleverly it fits into the hand luggage with ease and means you can enjoy more of your last day. That said, my handbag is a tardis anyway

davidlizard

I'm with the OP on this. I would want access to my things until I check them in at the airport, and not have to rearrange my holiday at relatively short notice around having to say bye-bye to 95% of my possessions nearly a day earlier. When on holiday, I like to have things under my control, not at the whim of some spotty 17-year-old rep.

What would happen if the plane is delayed - the last time I flew back from Greece we had a 24 hour delay due to strikes.

Sadly tour operators treat their "customers" like cattle and herd them from place to place, and want to micro-manage every part of the holiday to maximise their profits, which is usually at odds to your convenience and enjoyment. That's partially the reason I never do package holidays these days.

elisebutt65

When I went to Thassos a few years ago we had to give them our luggage 2 hours before we got the coach, as it went over on the ferry before us. But at 5am:eek:

Meant we all had to be up and dressed ready to go to see our luggage off safely onto the coach and then wait for 2 hours to catch our one - not doing that one again!

peachyprice

pheonixrising21 wrote: »

Without bags for an entire day, couldn't purchase souvenirs, why? couldn't go on a trip why, couldn't even use the gym in the hotel why, wasted a full bottle of sun tan lotion as can't take more than 100ml of liquid in hand luggage! you had a full bottle left at the end of your holiday? Last day completely ruined and wasted seriosly?.

Anyone got any opinions on this?

I really don't understand what you are complaining about.

Why on earth couldn't you do those things just because your suitcases had gone to the airport? How does having no suitcases stop you going on a trip or buying souvenirs that can go in your hand luggage or using the hotel gym?

rustyboy21

Never heard of this before.

Which tour operators are doing it?

I wouldn't trust anyone with my suitcases , wouldn't leave them from my sight ! Whats to stop someone putting a kilo of Cocaine in your suitcase whilst your not with them?

Also what has happened to the check in staff asking the question'' Have you left your bags unattended, has anyone given you something to carry for them, could your bags have been tampered with?'' etc

vickynleon

rustyboy21 wrote: »

Never heard of this before.

Which tour operators are doing it?

I wouldn't trust anyone with my suitcases , wouldn't leave them from my sight ! Whats to stop someone putting a kilo of Cocaine in your suitcase whilst your not with them?

Also what has happened to the check in staff asking the question'' Have you left your bags unattended, has anyone given you something to carry for them, could your bags have been tampered with?'' etc

i was thinking exactly the same, you don't know who these people are or what they have done to your suitcase but if there was drugs in there you would be held responsible because you shouldnt leave your bags unattended. i'd rather have the hassle of waiting to check in at the airport, at least you know there's not a chance you will end up being arrested.

meer53

Virgin offer this service in Florida, they still have check in desks where you check in as you would at the airport, they're just at different sites and accessible from about 9am on the day of your departure. Once your luggage has been checked in by them, you can make your own way to the airport in time for your flight later that day. Have done this with Travelcity too (now owned by Virgin)

Obviously the OP was limited by the fact that getting to the airport would be a problem as they had to use the tour operators transport, but i still think it's s good idea as long as you are prepared for the day ahead. I would feel more at risk leaving my luggage in a hotel all day, than once it's been checked in by your tour operator.

What do you do with your luggage Rustyboy ? Do you keep it with you ?

rustyboy21

meer53 wrote: »

Virgin offer this service in Florida, they still have check in desks where you check in as you would at the airport, they're just at different sites and accessible from about 9am on the day of your departure. Once your luggage has been checked in by them, you can make your own way to the airport in time for your flight later that day. Have done this with Travelcity too (now owned by Virgin)

Obviously the OP was limited by the fact that getting to the airport would be a problem as they had to use the tour operators transport, but i still think it's s good idea as long as you are prepared for the day ahead. I would feel more at risk leaving my luggage in a hotel all day, than once it's been checked in by your tour operator.

What do you do with your luggage Rustyboy ? Do you keep it with you ?

I haven't had a package holiday in over 12 years, I have always booked independantly, flights, hotel, car hire etc.

On the day of departure, If I cannot get the hotel room or apartment as a late checkout, I put my bags in the car and then when ready travel to the airport. At the airport the bags do not leave my side until they are on the baggage drop/check in desk and on the way to security check. Normally though I gear my flights up to be late morning, early afternoon, so not having to fly in the night time.

I will not trust anyone prior to check in with my cases or hand luggage. When we used to go on package holidays and where picked up by coach, I would have a smoke outside the coach until the luggage doors closed and we were ready to set off. My luggage always has valuables in them such as hi fi,etc.