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Boots and flying



 
 
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  #1  
Old December 10th 03, 11:45 PM
Alastair Mackinnon
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Default Boots and flying

I've always driven to the Alps, but I'm taking an extra break and flying,
for a change. (Mark Warner, flying with Excel) I've just weighed my boots
and they'll take a quarter of my 20kg!

How flexible are airlines (Excel, in particular) about the 20kg limit? Are
they likely to let me take the boots on as hand luggage?


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  #2  
Old December 11th 03, 08:48 AM
Ace
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Posts: n/a
Default Boots and flying

On Wed, 10 Dec 2003 23:45:29 -0000, "Alastair Mackinnon"
wrote:

I've always driven to the Alps, but I'm taking an extra break and flying,
for a change. (Mark Warner, flying with Excel) I've just weighed my boots
and they'll take a quarter of my 20kg!

How flexible are airlines (Excel, in particular) about the 20kg limit? Are
they likely to let me take the boots on as hand luggage?


I've taken boots on as hand luggage before with no problem, but I know
that the budget airlines tend to be more limited in this respect, as
well as enforcing weight limits more rigidly, like weighing your hand
baggage too and ensuring the total is within the limit.

One alternative which I used a few times when I still needed to fly
over was to use a big (wheeled, in our case) ski bag containing two
pairs of skis *and boots*. Airlines charging the £12 or whatever for
ski carriage would then only charge once, leaving us plenty of
capacity for the rest of our gear.

--
Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
Ski Club of Great Britain - http://www.skiclub.co.uk
All opinions expressed are personal and in no way represent those of the Ski Club.
  #3  
Old December 11th 03, 10:22 AM
john elgy
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Posts: n/a
Default Boots and flying

Ace wrote:
On Wed, 10 Dec 2003 23:45:29 -0000, "Alastair Mackinnon"
wrote:


I've always driven to the Alps, but I'm taking an extra break and flying,
for a change. (Mark Warner, flying with Excel) I've just weighed my boots
and they'll take a quarter of my 20kg!

How flexible are airlines (Excel, in particular) about the 20kg limit? Are
they likely to let me take the boots on as hand luggage?



I've taken boots on as hand luggage before with no problem, but I know
that the budget airlines tend to be more limited in this respect, as
well as enforcing weight limits more rigidly, like weighing your hand
baggage too and ensuring the total is within the limit.

One alternative which I used a few times when I still needed to fly
over was to use a big (wheeled, in our case) ski bag containing two
pairs of skis *and boots*. Airlines charging the £12 or whatever for
ski carriage would then only charge once, leaving us plenty of
capacity for the rest of our gear.


It always strikes me as odd that they weigh your luggage and fuss about
the odd kg of it, but never weigh the passengers.

I know its a daft suggestion, but try wearing them when you get to
checkin. I do not know the rules about dressing, undressing etc between
checking in and boarding the plane, or, indeed, wearing appropriate
clothing for the flight, but it might work.

John

  #4  
Old December 11th 03, 03:21 PM
David Brown :o\)
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Default Boots and flying

I know its a daft suggestion, but try wearing them when you get to
checkin. I do not know the rules about dressing, undressing etc between
checking in and boarding the plane, or, indeed, wearing appropriate
clothing for the flight, but it might work.


LOL, I think I'd prefer to pay the surcharge, you could alway wear your skis
too and say that they are very long shoes )




  #5  
Old December 11th 03, 04:46 PM
Steve Haigh
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Posts: n/a
Default Boots and flying

Ace wrote:
On Wed, 10 Dec 2003 23:45:29 -0000, "Alastair Mackinnon"
wrote:


I've always driven to the Alps, but I'm taking an extra break and flying,
for a change. (Mark Warner, flying with Excel) I've just weighed my boots
and they'll take a quarter of my 20kg!

How flexible are airlines (Excel, in particular) about the 20kg limit? Are
they likely to let me take the boots on as hand luggage?


I've taken boots on as hand luggage before with no problem, but I know
that the budget airlines tend to be more limited in this respect, as
well as enforcing weight limits more rigidly, like weighing your hand
baggage too and ensuring the total is within the limit.

Budget airlines can get very sniffy about hand luggage, even if the
flight is not busy - they come up with the old get-out "it's for your
own safety". This is rubbish, a pair of boots can fit in an overhead bin
quite easily. Not used Excel, but they may object to ski boots.


One alternative which I used a few times when I still needed to fly
over was to use a big (wheeled, in our case) ski bag containing two
pairs of skis *and boots*. Airlines charging the £12 or whatever for
ski carriage would then only charge once, leaving us plenty of
capacity for the rest of our gear.

Well worth a try, I've still never paid the surcharge on skis but it is
getting harder and harder to argue the case. I do put 2 pairs of skis in
one bag, and if the bag could take the boots then I would put them in
too. Airlines (even budget airlines) rarely weigh "awkward" luggage
(although occasionally they do try) and as Ace says they just charge the
£12 per bag.

If you don't have skis, or you can't fit the boots in with them (which
will be the case with normal ski bags) then you should be prepared to
check the boots into the hold and they will then eat in to your 20kg
limit. I would suggest you try and carry any other excess as hand
luggage. Incidentally, when I have had too much hand luggage to meet the
rules I have been able to decant some stuff into a duty free carrier bag
or 2... airlines have never (in my experience) ever complained about too
many carrier bags of "duty free" - they would be in a *lot* of trouble
if they were seen trying to stop BAA from lining their pockets. I'm sure
if you ask nicely you can get a couple of carrier bags from the shop
without forking over for 200 B&H (unless you want to of course).


  #6  
Old December 11th 03, 06:51 PM
James Hart
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Boots and flying

David Brown ) wrote:
I know its a daft suggestion, but try wearing them when you get to
checkin. I do not know the rules about dressing, undressing etc
between checking in and boarding the plane, or, indeed, wearing
appropriate clothing for the flight, but it might work.


LOL, I think I'd prefer to pay the surcharge, you could alway wear
your skis too and say that they are very long shoes )


Might be a good excuse for needing a seat with extra legroom.

--
James...
http://www.jameshart.co.uk/


  #7  
Old December 12th 03, 06:24 PM
Hywel Jenkins
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Boots and flying

In article , =20
says...
Ace wrote:
On Wed, 10 Dec 2003 23:45:29 -0000, "Alastair Mackinnon"
wrote:
=20
=20
I've always driven to the Alps, but I'm taking an extra break and flyin=

g,
for a change. (Mark Warner, flying with Excel) I've just weighed my boo=

ts
and they'll take a quarter of my 20kg!

How flexible are airlines (Excel, in particular) about the 20kg limit? =

Are
they likely to let me take the boots on as hand luggage?

=20
=20
I've taken boots on as hand luggage before with no problem, but I know
that the budget airlines tend to be more limited in this respect, as
well as enforcing weight limits more rigidly, like weighing your hand
baggage too and ensuring the total is within the limit.
=20
One alternative which I used a few times when I still needed to fly
over was to use a big (wheeled, in our case) ski bag containing two
pairs of skis *and boots*. Airlines charging the =A312 or whatever for
ski carriage would then only charge once, leaving us plenty of
capacity for the rest of our gear.
=20

=20
It always strikes me as odd that they weigh your luggage and fuss about=

=20
the odd kg of it, but never weigh the passengers.


I said something similar in April 2001:
http://hyweljenkins.co.uk/rambles.php?sp=3D50&id=3D1

I gather that some US airlines now do this on domestic flights.

--=20
Hywel I do not eat quiche
http://hyweljenkins.co.uk/
http://hyweljenkins.co.uk/mfaq.php
  #8  
Old December 13th 03, 11:21 PM
Carl_M
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Posts: n/a
Default Boots and flying

Steve Haigh wrote in message ...
Ace wrote:
On Wed, 10 Dec 2003 23:45:29 -0000, "Alastair Mackinnon"
wrote:


I've always driven to the Alps, but I'm taking an extra break and flying,
for a change. (Mark Warner, flying with Excel) I've just weighed my boots
and they'll take a quarter of my 20kg!

How flexible are airlines (Excel, in particular) about the 20kg limit? Are
they likely to let me take the boots on as hand luggage?



While different airlines have different policies you can be lucky or
unlucky with the same airline. I can just about get my bag containig
everything except my skis down to about 20kg (if you are a couple of
kilos over they never charge). I only once been charged on airlines
(other than ski bag charges when flying charter). That occasion was 2
years ago when flying Scot Airways from Dundee to London City (before
taking the Eurostar), The baggage allowance was ridiculously low (14kg
I think) and on the way out they weighed my skis so I got whacked with
about 15kg of excess, the reason was that as it was a small plane
(about 30 seats and 10 passengers) they had less space for excess
luggage, the arguement that they also had less passengers whose
luggage they needed to take was ignored. On the way back at London
City no charge was made.

Last year I booked to go British Midland to London and phoned up about
their policy with skis, and was told that the dimension limit on
luggage is waved for them but they are included in the weight
allowance. They also read the rest of their rules concerning ski
luggage and it incluuded "Ski boots are not allowed to be worn in the
cabin" the operator wondered why that was required but possibly
someone has tried it. I don't know how the rules are applied in
practice as I broke my thumb skiing the Lecht a week before I left and
had to cancel.

Travel as light as you can, wear as much as you can without being too
uncomfortable (thick jumper/2 thin ones, ski jacket with gloves in
pockets etc), you will find that 20kg including boots but not skis is
possible as long as you don't require boot dryers, hair dryer,
different ski outfit for every day etc. Alternatively go to North
America where luggage restrictions are much more generous!
The closer to the limit you are the more likely
  #9  
Old December 15th 03, 10:54 PM
David Shaw
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Boots and flying

let us know what it was like when you get back! I am going with mark warner
(and therefore Excel air) on jan 3rd, and was debating taking boots/skis or
just hiring (far better) ones out there.

mark warner are amazing - I have flown with air 2000 and numerous other
airlines but have NEVER heard of Excel air. may it leave the concrete with
ease...


"Alastair Mackinnon" wrote in message
...
I've always driven to the Alps, but I'm taking an extra break and flying,
for a change. (Mark Warner, flying with Excel) I've just weighed my boots
and they'll take a quarter of my 20kg!

How flexible are airlines (Excel, in particular) about the 20kg limit? Are
they likely to let me take the boots on as hand luggage?




  #10  
Old December 23rd 03, 04:58 PM
Alastair Mackinnon
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Boots and flying

Had a tremendous week in Courchevel.

My bag including boots weighed 23kg, but the check in person said that was
OK (as I didn't have any significant hand baggage) and simply attached a
'Heavy' sticker.

Excel were OK - dull food, no legroom, leather seats could do with a
washdown, etc. Boeing 737 on the way out, 767 for the return. Geneva airport
dreadful.

Mark Warner in Courchevel good - enthusiastic staff, good food, ski hosting,
etc. Laid on coaches to Val D'Isere one day and La Plagne another day
because the snow was a bit iffy which was very good of them as it was
certainly skiable. Would certainly consider them again.

Alastair

"David Shaw" wrote in message
...
let us know what it was like when you get back! I am going with mark

warner
(and therefore Excel air) on jan 3rd, and was debating taking boots/skis

or
just hiring (far better) ones out there.

mark warner are amazing - I have flown with air 2000 and numerous other
airlines but have NEVER heard of Excel air. may it leave the concrete

with
ease...


"Alastair Mackinnon" wrote in message
...
I've always driven to the Alps, but I'm taking an extra break and

flying,
for a change. (Mark Warner, flying with Excel) I've just weighed my

boots
and they'll take a quarter of my 20kg!

How flexible are airlines (Excel, in particular) about the 20kg limit?

Are
they likely to let me take the boots on as hand luggage?






 




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