Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2014 23:24:07 GMT
I've read that my suitcase should meet these measurements, 30" x 18" x 10". Does that 30" mean from the floor to the top of the suitcase itself? I imagine that it does since the wheels are going be there, taking up space. Thanks. Lynette
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Post by chech on Sept 14, 2014 23:58:52 GMT
Hi Lynette They won't be that picky about the dimensions. They're not going to whip out a measuring tape to find out. What is important is the weight. You really need to keep it under 50 lbs (for the sake of the poor driver who has to load/unload dozens of pieces at the hotel stops). If you plan on buying souvenirs, you want to go on tour with a bag under 50lbs. I go on tour with a 30 lb suitcase no matter the length of tour. Some can actually do tours with just carryon sized main luggage. (Like OzT...LOL) Remember too that the "carryon" for the bus is not an airline carryon. It cannot have wheels or handle and has to be small enough to squish into a narrow overhead shelf or into the small space under the seat in front of you. A tote or school sized back pack works fine.  |
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Post by Tulips on Sept 15, 2014 0:45:44 GMT
Hi Lynette,
Chech is right. I was concerned about this on my most recent trip because my suitcase with wheels was 1 inch bigger than Trafalgat's dimensions. No on batted an eye. In fact, several cases were much bigger than mine.
A good idea is to have a collapsible carryon that you can pack away in your case during the tour.
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Post by Oz-T on Sept 15, 2014 1:03:24 GMT
Ahhhh, so that was you I passed at the airport on my last trip.... ?   |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2014 3:09:29 GMT
Thanks, chech, Tulips, and Oz-T! It is a huge comfort to get to read what you've written because before they killed the forum, I had thoroughly enjoyed browsing and reading all sorts of your posts--I remember your names!
I've been off at my neighborhood bar listening to a regular-Sunday-night live blues jam, but I just knew when I came back home and checked here that I would have splendid help from any number of you who are Trafalgar vets! My current suitcase is not quite that large, 25x14x10, so I'm going to find one that is advertised as a 30-incher, just in case I shop and find something to add to my pounds when I am homebound.
Thanks again, y'all.
Lynette
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Post by Oz-T on Sept 15, 2014 4:42:15 GMT
You'll always get great advice from Chech and Tulips, Lynette.  Those luggage dimensions are always more of a guide than an absolute limit. Coach drivers will always take a sensible and practical approach to these things and won't cause you distress because your suitcase is an inch or two large. The weight is always more important and I recall our driver in 2010 injuring his back * and having to be replaced mid-tour. I always worry about those guys with the way they have to bend to haul cases out of the cargo bay as it's hard to straighten the back before lifting them out. * Not due to anybody's case being too large or heavy, and certainly not due to our cases (as Chech mentioned, we travel overseas with carry-on cases that weigh 7kg (15 pounds) each). Of course, nobody ever wishes to attempt this same travel-light method, but it suits us fine. |
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LKD
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Post by LKD on Sept 16, 2014 2:30:29 GMT
My first tour, with Insight, the Travel Director had a scale and actually weighed each bag. Only saw him do this the first day, so not sure if he did it throughout the tour or not. He did not measure them.
Of the five tours I have now done (last four with Trafalgar), I have not seen happen again. |
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Post by chech on Sept 16, 2014 12:56:43 GMT
I've seen them weigh them as well. The driver had the scales stashed away and hauled it out to weigh suspect bags. In at least one case, I know the traveller was asked to lighten the bag. I think they might do it more often than we see. |
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Post by californian on Sept 16, 2014 14:02:07 GMT
I always have an extra nylon bag, and after a few days on tour I use it to lighten up my suitcase; souvenirs, books, laundry and other things I won't be using go in the bag and ask the driver to store away inside the coach, I get it back at the very end of the tour. BUT, this time, and sorry Trafalgar, I bought a small "wheely" and just like everyone else I carried it in and out everyday. it made my suitcase lighter and my back better, so for now on, I WILL TAKE IT WITH ME. (it is a nice carry on, but I did not need another, since I already had a few at home, oh well... this one is a souvenir from Minsk now) Still trying to take fewer things, but still ending adding "this and that" just in case...
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Post by Boop on Sept 16, 2014 18:13:12 GMT
LOL! Welcome back californian! I hope you had a great time, did you miss having the grandkids with you? Look forward to your tale!  |
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Post by Oz-T on Sept 18, 2014 23:51:49 GMT
So there's not much point buying this baby from your local luggage store..... ?   |
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Post by Oz-T on Sept 19, 2014 0:31:13 GMT
And you can always identify my travel-light suitcase....   .... and any luggage belonging to Chech.... |
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Post by chech on Sept 19, 2014 1:16:10 GMT
<snicker><snort> |
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