what bag is best for hand luggage?

pavlovs_dog

hey peeps!

well the weeks are rolling around and im getting ready to start thinking about packing (the borrowed suitcases arrive in 3 weeks, we fly out in 7).

i was a child the last time i flew, and this is my first 'grown up' holiday where i am the responsible one who's got to make sure we take everything we need and get it there (and back) in one piece :eek:

what i wanted to know is what type of bag you would recommend for hand/carry on luggage?


im unsure asto whether to go for a backpack, small holdall or what and would appreciate some advice from you seasoned travellers

Becles

I usually take a small rucksack. Keeps your hands free for carrying suitcases, etc.

My best holiday tip: the day before you go, put some cartons of fruit juice in the freezer. Before you leave for the airport, put the frozen juice in your hand luggage. By the time you've wandered round the airport, found your suitcases and found your ongoing transport, you'll really appreciate the cool drink in your bag.

Nile

I agree with the suggestion by Beccles. I use a small rucksack too.

Buy a cheap clear plastic pencil case from Asda. It will help you to see/find what you need instantly.

Put your important bits and bobs in the pencil case to save them being lost at the bottom of the rucksack. I put tissues, chewing gum, nasal spray, ear plugs, pen and small spiral notebook (9p from Asda) in my pencil case.

Enjoy your holiday.

researcher

If you're travelling with someone I'd take these differnt types of handluggage.
One would be the hardcased wheeled suitcase (the type hostesses use) - this is for anything fragile, bottles of duty free, cameras etc, (and any medication + few bits incase your luggage goes astray), this then stows above your head on the aircraft.
The second a rucksac type bag - this must be lightweight, and used to carry books, papers, food/drink and any change of clothes inflight. Use this as a footrest or stow under your seat. I also take a foldup beachbag - lightweight but strong, so as anything I buy on the way to the hotel is not obvious. (Some hotels hate you bringing bottles of booze). Also take a big bottle of water.
For all documents you definately want a clear folder - you can see at a glance your tickets, boarding cards, passports etc. But don't keep your holiday money here - locked in your wheeled hand luggage would be a better bet.
I've travelled lots and with the above we've just about got it sorted after years of trial and error.
:cool:

alanrowell

Main criteria must be that it isn't too heavy. I've seen "carry on" bags that weighed seven pounds when empty which when the limit is typically 11 doesn't leave much for the contents

WiseInvestor_2

Most airlines are very strict on the number of handbags per passenger - the limit is usually one unless travelling internationally or in Business class.

researcher

In my experience it's the charter flight companies who are much tighter and might weigh absolutely everything. Also be aware that many 'last minute bargains' only allow 15kilo per person - and NOTHING for children on a 'free' seat.
My position regarding the 'third' piece of hand luggage was a foldaway bag which only comes into use if you utalise dutyfree - thus after check-in. The first two pieces are one per person.
I travel extensively - and on my most recent trip, returning from Australia via the far east our luggage weighted over 85kilo (we were allowed 20k each + hand luggage.) We managed to get back without paying a penny excess - using the method I described. Very rarely is hand luggage weighed on schedule flights. It also helps to be nice to the person at check-in!

gk172

Just back and we took an sports bag with the 2 end compartments which were ideal for storing the passports tickets etc and you could get a couple of bottles of duty free in them too;)

WiseInvestor_2

Taking more than your allowance is potentially very dangerous!

Before take-off the pilots have to calculate the speed they need to achieve in order to get airborne - the higher the speed the longer the runway required. This calculation is heavily weight-dependant. They know the weight of an empty aeroplane, they know how much fuel, catering and hold baggage has been loaded (and where that weight is distributed around the aircraft). The check-in computer then totals the number of men, women and children and using assumed weights plus an allowance for hand-baggage calculates the weight of the 'payload'.

Now I'm not suggesting that your extra 65kgs could bring down a 747 but you're not the only person on the aeroplane - there are 300-400 others potentially doing the same thing!!! Staff at the boarding gate are required to monitor hand-baggage and challenge/hold-tag anything wildly outside of the rules. If this happens to you, please don't take issue with them; they're only doing their job which ultimately is ensuring your safety.

I know that bmi British Midland are very hot on extra/heavy carry-on luggage and some British Airways stations are more lenient than others - not because they're being any less safe but because some destinations are more prone to over-carriage than others making the total weight more variable

Sheel

I think it's just personal taste as to whether you go for a backpack or a hand held bag. My husband always uses a backpack as that's what he's most comfortable carrying , but I prefer a flight bag , which does have a long strap if I want to carry it on my shoulder although I prefer to use the handle. I have a Samsonite flight bag which I got from Debenhams for only £15 in the half price sale.

researcher wrote:

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For all documents you definately want a clear folder - you can see at a glance your tickets, boarding cards, passports etc.

I got a clear folder at Savacentre for just 49p which was ideal for putting in all the print outs for the car parking , flight and hotel details etc. I keep passports , tickets etc in a special travel wallet.

researcher

Has wiseinvestor just told me off and suggested what I did was dangerous?

You will see by reading my post's that I am suggesting my method for two people travelling together. Total allowance is usually 20k+20k + handluggage of 7k=7k = 54k, additionally also allowed are a laptop and a handbag each and duty free purchases.
I checked in with handluggage which could accommodate my possessions safely, and airline checkin staff advised me on how to pack so as I would not be asked to pay excess. Never have I tried to avoid payment - (in fact any costs would have been reclaimable on expenses as I was on a business trip). Nor have I tried to avoid the airline knowing what total weight I carried.

I most certainly would NOT suggest that everyone should try and carry 65k of excess baggage.

I am a moneysaver - not a cheat.