Bringing a large bulky item back, on a plane.

Phate

Phate

Phate

Caporegime
Joined
1 Nov 2003
Posts
35,691
Location
Lisbon, Portugal
Hi all,

I am going to be coming back to the UK for a day or so on or around Oct 12th.

In the UK I still have my projector screen. And I see this as a potential opportunity to either bring it back on the plane, or sort the courier out, either or.

Packaged up in a piece of drainpipe tubing and packed out to stop it moving around should protect it and come in at 2.3-2.4m long but not very wide, well standard drainpipe width.

Overall it will weight around 11-12kg packed up. Now obviously it would have to be checked in as oversized baggage but does anyone know if its actually possible to take something THAT long (hurr hurr) on a plane and check it in?

If not I'll courier it but just trying to find out if its doable for now.

Cheers! :)
 
Each airline is likely to have different rules - check with the airline directly.

Not that much longer than some ski's etc - so should be ok but I would check with the airline. Also might cost you more in oversized baggage fees' than courier!
 
booyaka said:
Each airline is likely to have different rules - check with the airline directly.

Not that much longer than some ski's etc - so should be ok but I would check with the airline. Also might cost you more in oversized baggage fees' than courier!
Click to expand...

Ok cool cheers. I'll look into the airlines. I've not actually booked the flight yet.

Bringing it myself gives me piece of mind as well!
 
People take skis on planes, not sure that this would be any different dimension wise

Edit : noticed that booyaka mentioned skis' already
 
Brizzles said:
People take skies on planes, not sure that this would be any different dimension wise
Click to expand...

I could just select the ski option and add comments about what it is? I know they'll scan it to make sure there is nothing illegal in there but projector screens are not illegal so it should be fine!
 
RoboCod said:
I sense a travel blog update inbound.
Click to expand...

:p :D

It's well out of date. I've written most of Hong Kong which was months and months ago but I need the photos to finish it off. But they're on an external drive at my apartment. But we've been so busy with the apartment we haven't had time to sort it.

Soon as we're more settled I'll be doing lots of blog posts.
 
Phate said:
I could just select the ski option and add comments about what it is? I know they'll scan it to make sure there is nothing illegal in there but projector screens are not illegal so it should be fine!
Click to expand...

Is there a limitation to personal entertainment devices on board ?
 
As long as it's under 4m long you should be fine. I take a hang glider on a plane as oversized baggage a couple of times a year (4m long short packed) but it's only certain airlines that will take something that big!

Best to ring up the airline in all honesty. EasyJet and Monarch have no issues with long items like this.
 
Narj said:
As long as it's under 4m long you should be fine. I take a hang glider on a plane a couple of times a year (4m long short packed) but it's only certain airlines that will take something that big!

Best to ring up the airline in all honesty. EasyJet and Monarch have no issues with long items like this.
Click to expand...

Great, that's reassuring, thank you!

I'll be researching flights tonight and calling airlines tomorrow. Was thinking SqueasyJet but with possible crazy baggage charges I might be better paying a bit more for BA or TAP.
 
Update on this. I spoke with BA but their length limit is 190cm and the screen is 200cm. So they were a no. Ryanair is also a no. Monarch is a yes but I need to fly back on the 13th and they won't fly that day. So it left it to EasyJet.

I called to confirm and they basically said what Narj said. Providing its less than 450cm, I can check it in! Excellent :)
 
Personally if the costs were similar, surely you'd be better off using a courier rather than checking it in. I can't say I'd trust the baggage handlers to not start chucking it about the place.
 
Scam said:
Personally if the costs were similar, surely you'd be better off using a courier rather than checking it in. I can't say I'd trust the baggage handlers to not start chucking it about the place.
Click to expand...

As apposed to a courier? Who treat everything as if they're egg shells?

I think when it comes to transporting goods its pot luck of who deals with it and also down to how well it's packed.

For me it will be very securely and well packed. At least this way the screen comes with me. I can keep a better eye on it. It will be out of sight for about 5hrs instead of about 5 days.
 
Lol. I've transported delicate items by air before. All I'd say is make sure you package it very very well.
 
Dis86 said:
Lol. I've transported delicate items by air before. All I'd say is make sure you package it very very well.
Click to expand...

Try taking a hang glider. That has to be well protected along with socks or other soft padding around edges, ends and vulnerable parts, the whole thing wrapped with foam camping mats and extra padding at the ends for protection.

Despite all that, you sometimes get Neanderthals in baggage handling who somehow make sure it comes out the other end pretty much broken in two. I've never had this problem at Gatwick (handlers there seem to be pretty good at least in my experience) but I've seen others end up with broken kit at other airports. :(

I think sometimes you just get one or two working in that job that deliberately want to break as much as they can, especially if it looks expensive.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom