Bear Transport

[marcojim]

Hi all,

*Bear* with me here, a bit of a strange request.

I need to transport a Costco 53 inch bear (image attached) from Melbourne to Canberra. Most likely on VA as I have status with them.

How would you recommend that I transport it? Not sure if it’s small enough to fit into a box that is within the checked luggage dimensions. Would I need to purchase an extra seat for the bear?

Thanks in advance. It’s a Christmas gift…

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But a vacuum bag, collapse it right down, and carry it on?

Oo! 53 inches!! Well, maybe still in a vacuum bag, but in a suitcase in the hold!

 

[Gold Member]

Would I need to purchase an extra seat for the bear?

Nah, just claim it’s an emotional support animal. Works for all the cheapskates in the States.

 

[AIRwin]

Works for all the cheapskates in the States.

We're not in Kansas anymore!

 

[henrus]

Teddy could have his own seat?

Flying with an extra seat | Virgin Australia

www.virginaustralia.com

No need for family pooling as you'd get Teddy's points regardless.

 

[Guvner]

As a Plat you should have enough free checked baggage allowance (3 x 32Kg) to check the bear in as an oversized item. Stick it in a strong plastic bag with ties on the end.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

You can phone up the VA call centre, and book.
I have done it before, QF allows it as well.
VA booking agent in the Philippines will ask, "is it for a musical instrument", you can say no.
You can also if you want, and not pay, is to hug it and just say, its your "partner" in life, and you need to hug it during the trip, as you feel lost without it.
"Emotional Support Animal" would be deemed that the toy bear has a life.
Heh, maybe it does, ie, its life is you!
===
Have you got enough points to sit In J?
You can hug it all the way up, and make a scene on the plane!
MEL - CBR is not that far, so long as they don't you through to MEL - SYD - CBR with Link.

 

[kerfuffle]

Do they not have this in Costco in Canberra?

 

[Quickstatus]

As @Guvner said
Get the Glad 70L heavy duty clear plastic bags from Bunnings or similar.
Use 2
Check it in

 

[elanshin]

Check in as potentially oversized might be the best option. A bit of squishing and it might fit into a big suitcase as well. Usually when they do measurements for these plushies they include things like the legs, so volumetrically you might be able to get it into a large suitcase as the real mass is the main body and head.

The only time I've seen a big plush taken onto a plane as carryon was my friend flying NH F from Tokyo to JFK and he brought his 1.2m plush on. Since he was flying F and there was plenty of space they didn't mind. Even gave it it's own F seat as there were spares.

 

[FunPlum]

Spacebag him and he'll be fine.

 

[encryptededdy]

The only time I've seen a big plush taken onto a plane as carryon was my friend flying NH F from Tokyo to JFK and he brought his 1.2m plush on. Since he was flying F and there was plenty of space they didn't mind. Even gave it it's own F seat as there were spares.

I've thought about transporting a large plush from Tokyo back to Sydney a few times (one with glued elements that would be damaged if vacuum sealed), but never went ahead with it.

 

[marcojim]

Thanks for all of your advice! I will look into vacuum sealing the bear and then packing it into a box.

@kerfuffle hahah in hindsight I probably should’ve just gotten in from Costco Canberra…