The great hand luggage only challenge!!!

[simongr]

OK
So reports of some opportunities for enhancement of my checked luggage experiences have circulated here (as a recap - bags delayed twice on a three and a half week trip - only had luggage for 3 days on entire trip).
So on the upcoming SOB (Son of BEHEMOTH) I am considering trying to travel with checked luggage only.
I am currently postulating whether it is practical on this trip to travel only with hand luggage . The routing is:

syd-nrt-hkg - suit required
hkg-pvg - suit again
pvg-hkg - suit again
hkg-nrt- travel with overnight
nrt-dfw-jfk - business casual
jfk-lhr-lca - personal casual
lca-lhr-hkg-syd - home

Now I know that the transits in London might necessitate checking luggage through - I cant get any confirmation that the trial of two bags through FCC is happening but if it is that would be a plus.

I am thinking of taking my Tumi 20in rollaboard and a slim suit carrier (which might be dumped in favour of a Tumi tri-fold leather suit carrier (or perhaps the FXT suit carrier as leather might get horribly damaged if in checked luggage.

In terms of clothes it might be a squeeze as I reckon I will need:

2 suits (could I wear one suit for two weeks)
2 chinos
4 polo shirts
3 business shirts
Business shoes, deck shoes and running shoes (planning to start running on this trip)
Laptop + power
Wash kit

Now the questions are:

1 - Has anyone else travelled with just hand luggage on this sort of trip - with three phases of clothing - smart, business casual, personal casul?

2 - Would a garment bag and rollaboard be ok for all flights except through LHR?

3 - I am travelling on BA, CX, AA JL and QF on this trip in a a variety of J and F (hopefully 3 real flights) - are there weight restrictions (I know BA just require you to be able to lift the bag)

I know the risk is small given the relatively simple routings but I am also keen to actually not have to wait for bags either.

Any thoughts/

Cheers

S

 

[straitman]

simongr,

I don't have an answer for you, however I do look forward to the responses.

You have posted something that I've often wondered about and never really gotten around to sorting out.

 

[serfty]

...
2 suits (could I wear one suit for two weeks)
2 chinos
4 polo shirts
3 business shirts
Business shoes, deck shoes and running shoes (planning to start running on this trip)
Laptop + power
Wash kit...

IME, you may be able to get away with the following:

1 Suit is sufficient. wear only for meetings/greetings - not when actually travelling nor when eating.
1 Chinos
2 Bus Shirts
2 polos ...

Scrub the deck shoes - business and runners will generally get you through.

Be prepared to use the hotels' in room irons and if staying at a hotel for 2 or more nights, use their laundry.

I'll think more about this (and of what I do automatically these days).

 

[Ric]

S,

I agreed with Serfty. I have done similar trips like that with what Serfty have pointed out except deck shoes instead of runners.

If anything, I would bring along a blazer which would go nicely with a good pair of Chinos and business shoes and business shirt that you can attend a meeting with.

Ric

 

[NM]

Here's what I would do if trying to get away with hand luggage only:

• Forget the suit and use Business Casual
• Forget the personal casual and wear the same business casual
• Travel in business casual
• Postpone the running until after return

Then just keep telling people that your checked luggage never made it so they will just have to manage with you wearing the clothes you have with you, which just happen to be business casual attire.

Then you just need to pack on pair of chinos (and you are wearing another pair for travelling), giving you two for the trip), two business casual shirts (plus the one you are wearing for travelling), and just use the same pair of shoes for the entire trip (just be sure they are comfortable). Add the wash bag and laptop/power etc and you are set to go.

Note that underwear is generally flexible enough to be worn forwards, then back-to-front, then inside-out and then rotated back-to-front again. That way you can get 4 weeks out of one pair of undies :shock: :mrgreen: . Similarly socks can be worn inside-out and if anyone says anything just laugh it off with a comment about starting your day while it was still dark. Its amazing how forgiving people can be.

 

[littl_flier]

NM- :mrgreen:

I think NM's implying that to take what you need Simongr, pigs will need to fly!

 

[Evan]

Your problem is suits !
You need to do the casual thing but really suits 1 jacket with 2 x pants ? Can you dry clean anywhere along the way ?

As a guy i always need 3 shoes, 1 casual i wear onboard, runners and work shoes. hard to pack in the carry on's.

I have had my carry on's weighed a few times and one time was 12kgs, but looked at my ticket and status (only gold) and were fine with it, but i thought for a moment i may be checking something in.

2 bags though LHR.... lets hope the trial starts in time.

E

 

[vt01]

I've also tried a few times and weight is always the problem. I did manage it for a 4 day trip once. I was travelling J so had the luxury of 2 bags - a packpack with my PC and lots of other things stuffed in plus a small roll on with business clothes. I wore my work shoes on the plane. I think I took a pair of joggers and a couple of light casual shirts.
It was nice being able to avoid the baggage carousel.. But these days I don't bother. A bit of a wait at the carousel doesn't worry me..

 

[serfty]

... Note that underwear is generally flexible enough to be worn forwards, then back-to-front, then inside-out and then rotated back-to-front again. That way you can get 4 weeks out of one pair of undies :shock: :mrgreen: . Similarly socks can be worn inside-out and if anyone says anything just laugh it off with a comment about starting your day while it was still dark. Its amazing how forgiving people can be.

As for 'smalls' don't underestimate the usefulness of the little bottles of shampoo hotels provide. Check in, hit you room and one of the first thing you do is attend to your 'smalls'. Fill basin with Hot water and half a bottle of hotel shampoo (well, one certainly would not use it on ones hair :shock: ). Swirl around leave for 30 minutes then swirl around again and rinse. Squeeze dry, perhaps using the old 'towel twist'. Hang on the extended retracting clothesline and leave overnight. (Don't forget to take dry 'smalls' down before having a shower. )

Also, some times it is more cost effective to purchase new 'smalls' than have the hotel laundry see to those of yours in need of a wash.

 

[Mal]

I want to join the 'legends' who can fit 2 weeks worth of clothes into a carryon for their travels. Qantas has such limited cabin baggage weight restrictions that this makes it very hard if travelling with them. American Airlines have much greater limits.

There is a website dedicated to packing lightly. It's a great (and funny in parts) read. Will try and track it down.

 

[NM]

As a guy i always need 3 shoes ...

Why am I reminded of an old Rolf Harris song

 

[simongr]

Thanks all.

In terms of laundry I have access to hotel laundry so no problems there - and after the last trip my boss will understand a reluctance for checked baggage (and given he is covering any costs above t the e airline claim - it might work out cheaper for him )

The suit thing is interesting- I might think about that - I might be able ot get away with chinos and tie... not sure on PVG/HKG weatherr over the next few weeks...

 

[swissbignose]

NM- :mrgreen:

I think NM's implying that to take what you need Simongr, pigs will need to fly!

Wasn't NM saying that Simongr didn't need hand luggage at all?

 

[littl_flier]

Yep, but to take everything Simongr wants to take as hand luggage would be quite a challenge.

 

[jasonja3]

Simon,

I only travel with carry on.. trips are ususally only 4-7 days though. I use the biggest allowable wheelie bag in J (just fits into lockers on the upper deck) and a soft bag whch sits on top, usually around 15kg for both, and have never been asked to weigh it with QF, BA, CX, TG, JL, VS

Here are my trips fo what they are worth...

• Except for over night flights I always travel in my trousers so they don't get wrinkled in my bag.
• I would ditch the suit jacket if you can, just got back from asia and it is just too hot!! If you cannot, just give it to the hostie to hang up
• Whenever I check into a hotel, I ask for an iron to be sent to the room if there is not already one there, as pathetic as they are, shirts must be ironed.
• Use of hotel laundry can only work if you check in early enough to use the express service, or staying more than one night.
• I try and have my casual attire suitable for low key work duties also.
• I always plan before I leave what I will wear each day (no I am not OCD) and leave at least outfit spare.... for turbulance etc.

With careful planning and extensive use of laundries, you can pull it off. Just make sure it will be worth the hassle because it can be quite restrictive. Good luck!

 

[simongr]

Thanks again - nice news re Asia and the suit jacket - I wasn't sure what the weather was at the moment

The big challenge on reducing shirt count is the first few days - I have one day in office on Monday, one day travelling to PVG and then straight to office - so by day three I will be out of shirts if I cut down to one...

Mind you there is also the small problem of planning to buy an electronic photo frame for my parents whilst in HKG Not sure where that will fit!

 

[NM]

Mind you there is also the small problem of planning to buy an electronic photo frame for my parents whilst in HKG Not sure where that will fit!

Just post it to them. Heck, international postage from HKG is cheap, which is one of the reasons so many eBay sellers ship from there.

 

[alect]

The suit thing is interesting- I might think about that - I might be able ot get away with chinos and tie... not sure on PVG/HKG weatherr over the next few weeks...

I find the suit thing pretty easy. If you pick the right suit the pants double in a business casual scenario. So the pants go in the carryon - the jacket you can throw on or carry - it's hung up for you once you board so no hassle. A few shirts (each of which can be laundered, one pair of jeans (which I usualy wear), some shorts and t-shirt for exercise and smalls. I don't have trouble fitting into a 21" carryon - don't usually get weighed (the only time was in FCO when I had wine in the carryon :mrgreen: ).

 

[codash1099]

Simon,

• Whenever I check into a hotel, I ask for an iron to be sent to the room if there is not already one there, as pathetic as they are, shirts must be ironed.

Remember that if you're wearing a jacket, you only need to iron the front of the shirt :mrgreen:

 

[codash1099]

I want to join the 'legends' who can fit 2 weeks worth of clothes into a carryon for their travels. Qantas has such limited cabin baggage weight restrictions that this makes it very hard if travelling with them. American Airlines have much greater limits.

There is a website dedicated to packing lightly. It's a great (and funny in parts) read. Will try and track it down.

This one may be useful:

One Bag - leisure and business travel packing list - travel light!