Bringing stuff with you via extra baggage

This is sort of a continuation of another thread, but I am restarting it here to make it easier for people to find. Original thread : http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=20185.0


I found 31 gallon Rubbermaid containers at Lowes for $10, and verified with Aer Lingus that they will accept them as checked baggage even though they are slightly oversized. They are 69 inches and the max they will accept is 80 inches for 'bulky' items. The fee will be $75 as an extra bag, and there is no additional charge for it being 'bulky'. They cannot weigh more than 70 lbs max, but that still works out to about $1.07/pound and that is so much cheaper than shipping by mail if you only have a limited amount of stuff to bring. Each airline has a different policy though, so check with yours.

Hope this helps someone!

I flew American Air and my extra checked "bag" (a "large" size box from U-Haul) was $110 to the UK.

A question about the rubbermaid containers... is it the kind with the lid just snaps on? I'd feel funny about that seeing how rough the baggage handlers are. The whole lid would pop off and the contents all over the tarmac.

I stole this idea from someone here, though I can't remember who. They did it by drilling holes through where the lid and container meet, and then using heavy plastic tie bands to fasten the top on. TSA can cut the tie bands if needed, and you leave new ones on the top of your stuff for them to re-fasten it if they do. It worked for them and I thought it was a brilliant idea.

Anyone want to claim it?

I will add that when i went from San Francisco to London in November '05...i was able to check in two suitcases (each one could NOT exceed 32kg)...and they didn't charge me anything additional.  i also took a carry on and my purse....which was actually a laptop bag filled with even more stuff.  i had to have been carrying a good 100kg easy...and they didn't charge me anything. 

At the end of last year, BA and Virgin allowed up to 70lbs with no extra fee. It is the American carriers who imposed the fees. After paying $160 in excess (it was still a cheaper ticket with that factored in), I made up for it by carrying on way more than we are allowed. I had a suitbag filled, a carry on with more heavy stuff and my laptop and two sweaters tied around my waist. It was obvious what i was doing but no one blinked an eye.

Good idea about drilling the holes!

I noticed when I started looking into this that the American/Canadian carriers have dropped their weight allowance to 50lbs/bag while the British airlines still allow 70lbs/per bag. BA and Virgin both want an additional $140 for any bag past your 2 allowed, and Aer Lingus only wants $75. Thats why I am considering Aer Lingus if the fare is similar when the time comes to fly. I guess in the end you have to factor it all in to decide which airline is best for each situation.

I have heard about other people carrying on loads of stuff like extra coats and whatever. You must look bogged down but whatever it takes to get it there cheap! 

Yep better shop around!

I would have cried if they made me pay another $110 to check all my excess stuff!

I did get questioned when I went back to the states with a suitcase inside a suitcase virtually empty. Made the search easier though!

I stole this idea from someone here, though I can't remember who. They did it by drilling holes through where the lid and container meet, and then using heavy plastic tie bands to fasten the top on. TSA can cut the tie bands if needed, and you leave new ones on the top of your stuff for them to re-fasten it if they do. It worked for them and I thought it was a brilliant idea.

Anyone want to claim it?

I remember reading it on another thread and thinking how clever an idea it was! I can't remember who posted it though....Amiloo or belindaloo or AnneR? Gee, thanks, Court, I'm not gonna sleep tonight! 

I have such a ton of stuff I need to bring over with me....three large suitcases, a large duffel, a small duffle, and my CPU. I'm gonna get blasted with excess baggage charges, I know! 

OK, I can sleep tonight! http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=16301.msg165115#msg165115 The thread has been found and the brainstorm belonged to debinator! 

just an FYI, Im flying on British Air from San Francisco to Heathrow.  Heres what you get with your ticket,
Baggage allowance: (per adult/child)
* Checked: 2 pieces, 32kg (70 lbs) each
* Cabin: 1 piece, 6kg (13 lbs)

$140 per EACH extra box/luggage, weighing up to 70 pds and cannot be bigger than 62" (max of 10 pieces total)

ouch, but still convenient to have my stuff with me when I land!!

I remember reading it on another thread and thinking how clever an idea it was! I can't remember who posted it though....Amiloo or belindaloo or AnneR?

Wasn't me, but it IS a really brilliant idea!!

I had to pay excess baggage on Virgin once for having a carry on that weighed too much, so do watch the weight on those - every now and then they will ask you to stick it on the scale and they'll make you check it if it's too heavy. 

I STILL have some bits and bobs at my mom's house that I'm bringing over a little at a time, so now I do the empty suitcase inside another suitcase on the way over and then, if we pack light, between dh and I we end up with THREE empty suitcases to fill up and bring home!

Wasn't me, but it IS a really brilliant idea!!

Not me either! Must have been Aimloo.

I didn't bring anything over except one small suitcase. The rest (lots of furniture), I had shipped. So ... sorry, but I can't offer any advice here. But that does sound like a really good idea!

can you mail those rubbermaid containers instead of cardboard boxes?

can you mail those rubbermaid containers instead of cardboard boxes?

I bet you can, but maybe not with the holes drilled into it.
My family once mailed a rectangular plastic cooler packed with stuff and taped shut, which actually makes sense because they're rigid, sturdy and light.

I bet you can, but maybe not with the holes drilled into it.
My family once mailed a rectangular plastic cooler packed with stuff and taped shut, which actually makes sense because they're rigid, sturdy and light.

But I think nowadays things have to be able to be opened up for security reasons if necessary. I could be wrong, but I know they don't let you lock suitcases anymore for that reason.