Hello
Has anyone travelled on Jet Star with windsurfing kit? I am heading over to Perth this Thursday, I was hoping to take my gear until I started reading there baggage rules. Excess baggage cannot exceed 1.9 metres!!

Zubby
Sorry mate but you are buggered
JetStar policy states nothing over 1.9m in length.
This is because ALL luggage/baggage aboard Jetstar is packed into aluminium containers which are then locked into place in the hold of the aircraft.
Due to the size of the containers nothing over 1.9m will fit... no ifs, buts or maybe.

Virgin used to be the best option for flying as sporting gear 'used' to fly for free and was not included as part of your luggage.
Due to the Global Financial Crisis this policy has changed.

The Flying Bastards used to allow 23 kg and then charge you based on per additional piece.
They have now changed their policy to charge you for EVERYTHING above 23 kg.

Kev

qantas are the way to go, 2 boards from perth to melbourne no worries and if u book your flight early enough not that more expensive than budget carries(not much help as your flying thurs zubby sorry) ps bloody things even came out before the rest of the luggage

Thanks guys, sounds like I will have to hire some gear.

I travelled with qantas last year and they didn't really care how much kit I had with me, they didn't even weight my quiver bag!

Im heading back to WA for a two week windsurfing trip in late Jan early Feb flying qantas so I should be looking good.

some jetstar aircaraft (A330) you can take more then 1.9m. unfortunately they are also the ones that fly to another country.

have had no issues flying qantas or virgin just be smart with how you pack and take as much onboard as you can.

If you take you harness with you as carry on don't call it a harness. They'll try and confiscate it as your not allowed to take "a restraining device" on the plane. They tried to do this to me going to tassie.

Qantas are now weighing ALL gear.
We do a heap of flying through work with a lot of gear and it has been getting progressively worse and worse.

They are clamping down on anything over 32 kg... it simply will not go on the plane because the bag snatchers out the back can not lift it under new HR regulations.
They WILL also charge you for every kilo over the regulated 23 kg mark.

As mentioned they used to charge per extra piece of equipment/bag.
They now weigh everything and tally up the total then multiply that by a figure.

The only recommendations I can make are:
Get there early.
Be nice to the check in person, they are most likely having a bad day and don't want to deal with anyone let alone someone with a heap of gear.
If asked, tell them it's boards and equipment you are carrying... you know, surf boards !
Be nice to the check in person.
Weigh your bags before you go and dont have anything over 30 kg in one bag.
Expect to pay for anything over 23 kg... that way if you don't it seems like a bonus !


As for loyalty programs as per pacman's post.
- Even with 2 Gold Card members as part of our regular crew all baggage is still being weighed and examined.
When it comes to airlines 'if you want loyalty... get a dog' just dont expect to be able to take it on the plane with you

Kev

dan berry said...

If you take you harness with you as carry on don't call it a harness. They'll try and confiscate it as your not allowed to take "a restraining device" on the plane. They tried to do this to me going to tassie.

When most people leave Tassie, they're in a "restraining device", usually white with padded leather straps.

Have just completed 2 x trips Syd to Perth in the last 3 weeks.

First trip I had 1 x board, 1 x sail, 1 x boom, harness, fins, extension... all in a double board bag.
I had one other bag with me for check in.
As I do a lot of flying I am able to have 2 x check in bags with Qantas.

Everything was weighed... and the total calculated to see what was over the allotted 30 kg (2 x bag Gold Frequent Flyer policy)

Was told by the check in staff the gear was over weight slightly but they would let it through... but was then warned I would be charged ex Perth if I had the same weight on the way back.

No probs ex Perth as I returned with just 1 bag.

Second trip ex Sydney to Perth return last week.
Checked in with a full crew (4 guys and a HEAP of camera gear which equated to 6 bags/cases checked in between 4)
Everything was weighed... right on the money no probs !

Ex Perth to Sydney on Saturday VERY DIFFERENT STORY

The official charge is now $10 per additional kilo over your allowable/allotted amount.
Had to shell out $270 in excess baggage fees
We were a man down at check in as one of our team had to leave on an earlier flight.

Long story short.

If you fly qantas and do NOT have gold frequent flyer or do NOT fly business class.

23kg is your allotted amount
They are now weighing everything... surfboards included :(
The weight of your board is now subject to your allowable weight.
Anything over 23kg is now charged at $10 per kilo.

Kev

PS - oh and anyone expecting to load up their carry on with additional weight... they are now looking at weighing ALL carry on luggage with a maximum allowed weight of 7.5kg

PPS - Matt they are no longer using the $11 per surfboard/windsurfer rate for additional luggage. It's all done on weight