What can I take onboard?

(Great forum - have seen similar answers but not exactly this question.)

Embarrassingly (for here anyway) flying economy MCO to Gatwick in 3 days. Rules state one carry on. But need to take laptop & case(close to max weight) AND a camera bag (camcorder, digital camera. two power supplies, cables etc.)

Is this OK? I mean the camera bad SORT OF looks like luggage. I'm sure it would be OK if it was a purse - but...

First trip abroad - overdoing everything - especially worrying about silly things.

Please help.

GLT

PS: How bad is 61A? (The first 3 seat row in the back of the plane after the 2 seat rows.) Thought it might be Ok since no one is behind me.

(I'm sure I will get some leg disease, hardly enure the flight, freeze in London since there is no heat there, won't see the now retired red buses - and about a 1000 other things people have "helpfully" warned me about. Geeze.)

[Decker]

Well the rules are quite explicit. A trick which we obviously can't condone is placing the camera bag in a duty free plastic bag as noone seems to care how much duty free you have [}:)].

Don't worry about flying coach - most of us started that way and some of our more respected mods still fly that way most of the time! Can't comment on the seats though I'm sorry.

Enjoy London, you'll find we even have electricity these days [:p]

[preiffer]

Hi glt,

Welcome to the site [y]:D

To be honest,l from your description - this camera bag isn't exactly a "small personal item", so you're unlikely to be able to dupe the Check-In agent into allowing it. Having said that, they have been known to allow a lot more through in the past.

I'd say see how it goes. The rules are quite strict - 1 bag, 6kg max. Providing you bear this in mind when checking in (and therefore don't get frustrated should they force you to weigh/check the extra bags) then it'll be a pleasant surprise if you're allowed to keep it with you. Just don't bank on it... [n]


(As far as the seats go - how many of you are travelling? - Any chance of getting one of the sets of 2's? A lot of people seem to prefer them)

[fozzyo]

Your taking two bags as hand luggage? I'm sure I have done so on my previous flights. Obviously weight is a consideration but also make sure they are within the specified baggage size limitations. I have been on flights (domestic US) where people have taken huge suitcases as hand luggage and are surprised when it doesn't fit! I had to think about the potential law suit if that fell on someone's head.

I'd just say be aware you are taking more then you are allowed so be prepared incase they say no. Protective flight case for the camera gear?

Not been in 61A, usually opt for one of the three rows behind it. They have a little extra storage space next to you by the wall. This can't be used for storage during taxi/take off or landing but can be useful for stuff mid-flight. And if travelling alone only one person to annoy to get out, or if with someone no-one to annoy.

Have a great flight and trip!

Mat xxx

[preiffer]

Actually - just realised:

You mean 1 carry-on (normal *ahem - oversized* American style one?) + 1 Laptop case + 1 big camera bag?

3 heavy-ish carry ons in Economy? Umm... no. VERY unlikely to get away with that. What's wrong with checking your case?

Thanks - great (but depressing) responses...

No - laptop, power supply, cables, etc. in one SMALL leather case. Case weighs 3 lbs(?), laptop 6 lbs, power supply 1 lb? + papers, passport pen, gum etc. IN ONE CASE.

Camera bag is not THAT big. (Item #2). Very small modern camcorder, small digital cam, power supplies for each, misc.

Would prefer not to check these delicate NEW electronics. Well who need clothes?

If a lady gets to take a purse then....

[fozzyo]

Out of interest, is there enough room in Econ to use a laptop? I've never taken one with me when I fly so don't know. My experience of trains is that if you are in an airline seating bit (ie no table) there isn't enough room to balance the laptop on the table, flip the screen up enough to read it and actually be able to type - you ok for watching a DVD.

Mat xxx

Decker, don't wind people up....you know electricity is only available up to the 19th Dec in London

Laptops + a camera bag should be OK, brought a similar amount back
from SFO last year.

As a longterm cattle class flyer, VS are probably not up there in pitch (around 32") with some of the other carriers, but hey, DVT aint that bad and our NHS is treatment is good [y]... But as far as my own experiences are concerned VS flights are usually a joy even with your legs turning blue after all I keep flying VS as opposed to the competition.

Seriously though, seats 61A + C are some of the better seats in economy as the food seems to arrive quickly and there is that little bit more room by the side of the seat where it moves to a two format.
To sum up > they just feel more spacious. If you are in 60A this is the row in front with 3 seats

Downside is that you do get quite a few people wandering around at the back.

Chances are that the IFE will most likely be Nova/+ which is not that bad, but not as good as Odyssey or V:Port

Have a great time over here and don't forget that everyone says 'Cor blimey Guv' in London

[preiffer]

Originally posted by glt
No - laptop, power supply, cables, etc. in one SMALL leather case. Case weighs 3 lbs(?), laptop 6 lbs, power supply 1 lb? + papers, passport pen, gum etc. IN ONE CASE.

Camera bag is not THAT big. (Item #2). Very small modern camcorder, small digital cam, power supplies for each, misc.

Hi glt,

Fully understand the worry with new electronics! What about putting them all in one case/rucksack? Typically, the Check-In agents will only ask to weigh something that looks heavy, so if that lot will fit over your shoulder, you shouldn't have an issue. Just bear in mind two things:

1) As above, be prepared for them to stop you - if you're over 6kg, they're doing you the favor letting you on with it.

2) When packing your carry-on (as fozz says above) be aware how much that thing is likely to weigh when it falls from the overhead locker onto someone's head in turbulence. Many times, I've sat on a UA flight praying that the 60lbs of LUGGAGE the guy next to me stuffed into the locker above my head doesn't try to break free... [:0]

From your description, however - I'd say bung it all in one bag and you'll probably be fine.

[preiffer]

Also, remember that you may be offered an exit seat at check-in for $75 per person/each way. If you can grab one by the wing exits, you can have a bit of a stretch out. (Although it is a little bit noisier with both people gathering and wind-whistle during the flight)

Oops it's 60A (knew I would get that wrong) Review here of same seat on the other side (60K) is good...

According to Virgin the only other seats available are clearly worse - unless it changes for online check in. (OCI? Love acronyms.)

Does seat availabilty change at OCI?

Thanks again - very helpful.

GLT

[preiffer]

Originally posted by glt
Does seat availabilty change at OCI?

Yup - from Virgin:

Approximately 60 per cent of seats are available for advance assignment, the remainder being held for check in. If the 60 per cent of assignable seats are taken, the seat map button will not be displayed.

Found in their Booking FAQ's

Great - I'll check in at 23 hrs 59 min before the flight with seat charts from here loaded in another browser window...

Actually it does look loke more seats are available now than two days ago - several aisle seats too..

BUT.. I kind of wanted to see what I feel is possibly the best country in the world (sans taxes) from the air, at least the first time.

Friends in Staines for Christmas - then on the the Chestefield Mayfair for 6 nights.

Thanks again,

GLT

Originally posted by glt
.. I kind of wanted to see what I feel is possibly the best country in the world (sans taxes) from the air, at least the first time.

What a very flattering perspective of us with which start to your trip - I can see you're going to be very popular here![^][^]

I have to report that after a quick glance at my payslip, we are very definitely NOT sans taxes. Although I know what you mean, really.

Best wishes

David

Travelling in J LAX-LHR, I was told by the FA that she was doing me a fvour by letting me keep my duty-free bag (only contained some chocolates and magazines - this is LAX we're talking about;))! My only other hand-luggage was a normal-sized pull-along. Also, there were only 11 others in the cabin so the bins were hardly full! Whilst on other flights in Y, I've been allowed way more than that.I suppose it just depends on the day.

Cheers,
VS045

With good packing and a hard case I don't think I would worry about putting my laptop in the hold. And I think foz is right about the difficulty of using it in Y.

VS045 - I thought you were allowed 2 bags in J.

[Scrooge]

As Preiffer said above,my old trick is to put the camera bag inside of the carry on bag then carry it up to the desk trying to look like there is maybe a book and a jumper in it.

Of course this can take some packing skills,but it's saved me some headaches.

For my carryon, I use either a rollerbag or backpack that have designed sections for a laptop to be carried very easily. Both have more than enough room to fit in my essentials/valuables that I don't want to put in the hold (and I have to say that I'd never, ever, ever put a laptop in the hold, no matter how it's packed [:0]). My camcorder & digicam fit in nicely, along with relevant cables/power supplies.

All in, whichever one I use usually comes in at just about on the weight limit too [y][y]

Cheers

Michael

[Decker]

I actually bought a server back in checked luggage a few months back . We were "rationalising" the US office and had a "surplus to requirements" piece of hardware. One big new piece of TravelPro later...



Ooh new thread to discuss... what luggage do we like (excluding vanity plates ).

I can confirm there are a LOT more seats to choose from while doing online check in than before. Only one seat in the two pax rows and of course, not the exit row seats.

I'll try with the camera bag and post here about the trip and flight.

Thanks for all the help - great forum!

GLT

[fozzyo]

Begin Geek Mode.
Oh my god! I gotta get me one of those Novell roller bags!
Its just too cool.
End Geek Mode.

Originally posted by fozzyo
Begin Geek Mode.
Oh my god! I gotta get me one of those Novell roller bags!
Its just too cool.
End Geek Mode.

LOL - aren't they just? And they were free (well, ok, conference gifts when attending the last couple of BrainShares

Apparently, the 2006 bag is going to be even better - w0000t

Cheers

Michael

I wouldn't even attempt using a laptop in Y.
Very little room on the table for a start and you're guaranteed that unless you're in a bulkhead seat, the person in front will recline their seat thus screwing up everything (discovered this on an internal US flight which was a little more spacious.......happily watching Stargate until someone reclined. Laptop was pretty much against my chest in order to tilt the screen back enough to see it)

I'm happy to keep my camcorder in my suitcase, well packaged, assuming I have the proper insurance to cover it........always wise in case you're insurance only covers up to say £250 for a £500 camera + clothes etc etc!

[fozzyo]

Originally posted by mcuth

Originally posted by fozzyo
Begin Geek Mode.
Oh my god! I gotta get me one of those Novell roller bags!
Its just too cool.
End Geek Mode.

LOL - aren't they just? And they were free (well, ok, conference gifts when attending the last couple of BrainShares

Apparently, the 2006 bag is going to be even better - w0000t

Cheers

Michael

Yeah yeah, just rub it in why don't you. Nearest I got was a couple of Brainshare UK's in Salford. Unfortunately the college nor law firm never agreed to the proper Brainshare - and i did try.

Mat

Originally posted by fozzyo
Yeah yeah, just rub it in why don't you. Nearest I got was a couple of Brainshare UK's in Salford.

The UK one was my first - I got to Salford (woo, exciting place...) in 2000

Unfortunately the college nor law firm never agreed to the proper Brainshare - and i did try.

Think I've been fairly fortunate - my bosses have been very understanding about approving my attendance Besides, BrainShare's now only in SLC - UK ones haven't been around for a few years now, and BrainShare Europe is being incorporated into the SLC event (good job really, the Europe one was 150% of the cost, for a day less of repeats from SLC, and more expensive hotels!)

Cheers

Michael