Changes to Qantas Checked Baggage Allowance from 1 December

[Evan]

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Evan, I'm struggling a little with your list of electricals :shock:

One phone is sufficient for me...and don't PDAs incorporate a phone anyway? Along with playing music? Pardon my ignorance on this one...

Well....
Phone 1 : Singapore (Singtel) number, my company phone, Has pda functions including wifi and bluetooth, 8gb and plays music, but i still prefer the ipod
Phone 2 : Australia (Optus) number, personal phone, much better roaming contacts, ie works more places ! 1gb and has wifi etc as well.
PDA : Nokia N800, much better screen for web browsing, but most importantly can book Linux and has NFS server etc, can be used as my anaconda installer source for Linux installs etc.

Next year i will try to just re-direct my personal phone to company and re-install my notebook with all the things i need to leave the pda behind also. Only problem is disk space, the 1.8" drives only go to 120gb in the notebook i want and the SSD is only 80gb i think and is lots more expensive.

Ipod, until i get a good phone i think it will stay with me, i like it on planes.
Camera will i think all will agree no phone will get even close to be useful as a camera.

AnonymousCoward, i was excluding the 2.5" portable hard disk and spare FC cables, gbics etc i take if i was thinking i may need them.

E

 

[Commuter]

Yes i can figure that

- Notebook + charger, mouse, ethernet
- Mobile phone x 2 + charger x 2
- PDA (usb charger)
- iPod nano
- Power adapter
- Digital Camera + charger, dock, cables

...
I already have small flat thin ethernet cables etc from Japan.

...

i need to wear a suit and have to then take 3 pairs of shoes (runners, casual, work) and all that extra stuff.

OK, my suggestion.

Phone chargers - use a retractable USB one (lots for sale at Changi, or at Harvey Norman etc) with changeable tips. Much less space required. You may even be able to get a retractable USB cable with a tip that fits your PDA.

Get a smaller mouse (I've seen a flat one on one of the in-flight duty free catalogues - either BA or QF).

Also get a retractable cable for your digital camera if possible.

They do reduce the amount of electrical items that you need to carry. I now just carry one retractable USB charger for my phones, and a retractable USB cable for my camera.

You could also get an extra battery for your camera if you want to leave your charger at home.

Power adapter - Belkin does a terrific, small folding universal adapter (works for US-type, UK-type, Euro-type, and Australia-type).

As for the pair of shoes, use the work shoes for casual purposes, which will bring your shoe-count to 2 pairs.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Well....
AnonymousCoward, i was excluding the 2.5" portable hard disk and spare FC cables, gbics etc i take if i was thinking i may need them.
E

Well, I usually take:
1 x laptop (XPS M1330 for the time being for travel)
2 x 2.5" drives (320GB Lacie ones) + cables
1 x Travelpac universal adapter
1 x iPod USB charger (handy for recharging anything that uses USB cables)
1 x Bose QC3s for the plane
1 x Touch Diamond (phone)
1 x Logitech Nano mouse (nice and small) or MS Wireless 8000 presenter mouse (if going to be presenting things)
1 x iPod Nano (new 16GB model - nice and small)
2 x USB flash drives (16GB each - just bought these for $60 a piece at Sitex in SG)
various misc cables (space ethernet cables etc, just in case)
2 x spare batteries (for mouse)
various pills (antihistamine, nurofen etc) + bandaids etc
1 x Economist + SMH + various papers + sunglasses + security passes etc

Probably weighs about 5-6 kg in total, but the Neotec bag has many pockets and keeps everything organised.

 

[simongr]

Well....
Phone 1
Phone 2
PDA
E

My Kensignton power adapter has connections to charge a lot of other gear which does cut down on power adapters.

The challenge then is the camera I think as I have not found an adapter end to my Kensignton that powers cameras (and my camera battery needs to be removed to charge).

My list of electronics is:

Laptop
Ipod touch
BB
Various usb drives

Not bad for a geek

 

[Evan]

Yes, my next camera and my next phone had both better be able to charge by USB, i have a power adapter that has a USB port for charging already.

Yep, us geeks... oh well i know people a lot worse than us for bringing along lost of gadgets and some of them are not even geeks !

E

 

[Therma]

I have just arrived on QF from BNE to SIN. Took my family to Australia on a business/pleasure trip so there were 3 of us. Grand total weight came up to 72kg. 3 kg over. The coughs charged me $105. Refused to negotiate point blank and would not let me remove the extra 3 kg into carry on as it would exceed 7 kg. On the plane there were people in economy with rather large suitcases that I am sure were way way over 7 kg. I was not hostile and tried to plea on the basis of a 3 week trip with a lot of extra requirements for the young child.

Just when I think QF may become my second option for an airline ( I am 20 points away from silver, which is not a lot, but I probably have 4-5 more trips to Aus before the end of the year) they come back with unabaited hostility which reconfirms why I prefer to fly SQ. Our maid has just returned from Phillipines on Cebu Pacific and was not charged for 7kg overweight despite it being a budget airline with severe weigh restrictions.

This is the first time in 25 years of flying that I have had such an excessive charge slapped on for an insignificant overweight. Hardly a way to win loyalty

 

[anat0l]

I have just arrived on QF from BNE to SIN. Took my family to Australia on a business/pleasure trip so there were 3 of us. Grand total weight came up to 72kg. 3 kg over. The coughs charged me $105. Refused to negotiate point blank and would not let me remove the extra 3 kg into carry on as it would exceed 7 kg. On the plane there were people in economy with rather large suitcases that I am sure were way way over 7 kg. I was not hostile and tried to plea on the basis of a 3 week trip with a lot of extra requirements for the young child.

Just when I think QF may become my second option for an airline ( I am 20 points away from silver, which is not a lot, but I probably have 4-5 more trips to Aus before the end of the year) they come back with unabaited hostility which reconfirms why I prefer to fly SQ. Our maid has just returned from Phillipines on Cebu Pacific and was not charged for 7kg overweight despite it being a budget airline with severe weigh restrictions.

This is the first time in 25 years of flying that I have had such an excessive charge slapped on for an insignificant overweight. Hardly a way to win loyalty

BNE and SIN are both strict as far as weight is concerned. My parents have had many times in BNE where they are around 3 - 7 kg overweight, and have been told to repack, pay the overweight fine or not be checked in and thus miss the flight.

Having said that, if it is QF, they would more than likely have their own staff in both locations. For SIN it is a lost cause (no matter who it is in SIN, they all play it by the book at all times); for BNE that is a bit of a surprise. (OTOH if it was outsourced staff in BNE, they are impossible to "crack" when it comes to extra baggage allowance, unless you have status, i.e. they are prepared to let a few kg slide).

In any case, wouldn't it have been easier to take out 3 kg, stuff it in a random carry-on and be done with (i.e. just go away, go to some corner, repack slightly, line up again)? Might've saved you $105 and a headache... You should have been given a choice though (i.e. told that if you continue check-in, you will be charged $105 - your post seems to imply that you were checked in and charged $105 without being told first and possibly given the chance to make alternative arrangements)

FWIW my dad has flown SQ often to and from BNE and MNL (via SIN), and at all times at each location (although for MNL this is across all airlines as well), they have been very strict on luggage weight requirements - not even 1 kg over was allowed (I'm not making this up, but lucky for dad it was a simple case of remove 1 kg and put in hand carry).

 

[Dave Noble]

I have just arrived on QF from BNE to SIN. Took my family to Australia on a business/pleasure trip so there were 3 of us. Grand total weight came up to 72kg. 3 kg over. The coughs charged me $105. Refused to negotiate point blank and would not let me remove the extra 3 kg into carry on as it would exceed 7 kg. On the plane there were people in economy with rather large suitcases that I am sure were way way over 7 kg. I was not hostile and tried to plea on the basis of a 3 week trip with a lot of extra requirements for the young child.

Just when I think QF may become my second option for an airline ( I am 20 points away from silver, which is not a lot, but I probably have 4-5 more trips to Aus before the end of the year) they come back with unabaited hostility which reconfirms why I prefer to fly SQ. Our maid has just returned from Phillipines on Cebu Pacific and was not charged for 7kg overweight despite it being a budget airline with severe weigh restrictions.

This is the first time in 25 years of flying that I have had such an excessive charge slapped on for an insignificant overweight. Hardly a way to win loyalty

If you were over you allowance, then you were liable for excess baggage fees. The rates for excess baggage are well documented on the website as being $35 per Kg between Australia and Asia.

I don't see any grounds for insulting the staff for charging that which you were liable to pay for. Attain the remaining points for Silver and will then have an extra 10Kg allowance to play with

Dave

 

[simongr]

Just what exactly was the unabated hostility?

Is there any reason why QF should break their rules to build loyalty with someone who obviously doesnt fly with them that often?

Our maid has just returned from Phillipines on Cebu Pacific and was not charged for 7kg overweight despite it being a budget airline with severe weigh restrictions.

Obviously there arent "severe weight restrictions" given that no additional baggage charges were incurred.

The baggage allowances for non-status pax are very clear and simple (it is only for status pax that they get complicated) so why did you decide not to follow them?

 

[ejb]

.... Our maid.....

Surely if you have a maid you can afford the $105

And we all need to play by the rules...can you imagine 300+ pax with 3 kgs each over......almost a tonne.

ejb

 

[JohnK]

If you were over you allowance, then you were liable for excess baggage fees. The rates for excess baggage are well documented on the website as being $35 per Kg between Australia and Asia.

I don't see any grounds for insulting the staff for charging that which you were liable to pay for. Attain the remaining points for Silver and will then have an extra 10Kg allowance to play with

But he was not given a chance to re-arrange the luggage to fall within the limits. If this was ever done to me I would go away from checkin and then wear 2 pears or trousers/jeans, 3 pairs of shirts, 5 pairs of socks and so on until I was under the weigt limit. We should be given the choice to re-arrange luggage not told you are 3kgs over handover $105 dollars.

It is a joke and I would be sending a letter of complaint but then I complain about everything as I do not sit there and take it....

 

[Dave Noble]

But he was not given a chance to re-arrange the luggage to fall within the limits. If this was ever done to me I would go away from checkin and then wear 2 pears or trousers/jeans, 3 pairs of shirts, 5 pairs of socks and so on until I was under the weigt limit. We should be given the choice to re-arrange luggage not told you are 3kgs over handover $105 dollars.

It is a joke and I would be sending a letter of complaint but then I complain about everything as I do not sit there and take it....

The handluggage was already at the maximum allowance according to the poster.

If luggage exceeds allowance then excess fees are liable. It is quite simple

What conceivable grounds could one have to complain about being charged excess fees for havin excess baggage

Dave

 

[JohnK]

The handluggage was already at the maximum allowance according to the poster.

If luggage exceeds allowance then excess fees are liable. It is quite simple

What conceivable grounds could one have to complain about being charged excess fees for havin excess baggage

What is the problem? Shall we get into into another moral debate on what is right and what is wrong?

The weight of the carry-on is not up to the check-in to ascertain if within limits or not. In fact on many occasions where I have checked-in, or any of my family members and friends have checked-in, the check-in agent would have no clue if I/we had carry-on or not as a friend or family member is holding on to the carry-on.

So if I am 3kgs over at check-in I would simply walk away for whatever reasom and re-arrange my checked luggage so that it conformed to the correct baggage allowance and either wear the extra clothing or put into the carry-on. Let's worry about how much the carry-on later and not at check-in.

Now the OP was not given the chance to walk away and told forcibly he had to pay $105. Last time I looked there was nothing in the terms and conditions to say that once someone begins the check-in process at the airport it has to be completed right away. I have the option to walk away and come back to check-in any time I want....

 

[serfty]

I do note posts there is still a little leeway given. I have a feeling the OP was a little more than 3Kg overweight.

Me I always feel I'm wasting something with my "7Kg" of carry-on and no checked luggage on QF when I can have up to 69Kg checked ...

... until I arrive at my destination and only have "7Kg" to lug around rather than 76Kg.

 

[NM]

Note that items carried in your pockets are not included when checked and carry-on bags are weighed. There are often a few heavy-ish items in the bag that may be able to be carried in a pocket (subject to meeting security screening requirements of course). Coats with large pockets can come in handy at times .

 

[Dave Noble]

The weight of the carry-on is not up to the check-in to ascertain if within limits or not.

Yes it is and I have had check in agents weigh carry on luggage on numerous occasions around the globe.

Dave

 

[ColinP]

Yes it is and I have had check in agents weigh carry on luggage on numerous occasions around the globe.

Dave

It may well be within their job specification and I've had mine weighed on numerous occasions around the globe too, but they can't weigh it if it's 100 metres away in the care of a friend, relative or colleague.

 

[mannej]

It may well be within their job specification and I've had mine weighed on numerous occasions around the globe too, but they can't weigh it if it's 100 metres away in the care of a friend, relative or colleague.

In which case (flying SQ) I have been asked to go and get my hand luggage so it can be weighed. A pain I know, but I have learned from the experience to always have it on me

 

[ColinP]

In which case (flying SQ) I have been asked to go and get my hand luggage so it can be weighed. A pain I know, but I have learned from the experience to always have it on me

"I don't have any." or "This small bag is all I have." is the appropriate response in that case. Alternatively, have your <7 kg hand luggage with you and leave a couple of heavier items with others.

Of course you might still get pinged at the gate but my response was primarily to Dave's reference to check-in agents.

I fail to see the point of weighing hand luggage at check in anyhow. How are they to know the weight of all the stuff you're about to buy at the duty free, or in the case of Jet*, the weight of the food and drink you will buy airside to sustain you during the flight?

 

[Therma]

Just what exactly was the unabated hostility?

Is there any reason why QF should break their rules to build loyalty with someone who obviously doesnt fly with them that often?



Obviously there arent "severe weight restrictions" given that no additional baggage charges were incurred.

The baggage allowances for non-status pax are very clear and simple (it is only for status pax that they get complicated) so why did you decide not to follow them?

I have been QF FF for 14 years. I have had silver 3 times. Not a lot but this is all I could get flying from MEL to Tassie. I know I am not THAT frequent, but I guess it is better than a poke with a sharp stick, and I still do 8-10 flights with them a year. Living in Singapore I have little choice but to take SQ, where I hit gold 4-5 times a year.

As for "deciding" not to follow the rules, I did no such thing. It happened. When you go visiting your 3 year old child's grandparents, you get saddled with a lot of extra stuff that she is given. On the hotel scales the weight was just under 70, so I certainly took what I assumed were necessary steps.

The OP did not give us an option. She said my daughter's 20 x 40 cm backpack counts as 3rd piece of carry on and would not let us "create" 4th piece of carry on from a shopping bag.