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MazDee

Jun 9, 2008, 11:37 PM

Post #1 of 15 (1683 views)

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Baggage Restrictions: What Aren't You Bringing

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I fly to the US once a year, and have had the habit of bringing back a lot of stuff that I "thought" I needed. Now as I read about the new restrictions and costs of additional luggage (which I imagine will only get worse by the time I make the trip), I decided to think about this a bit. I normally buy a couple pairs of shoes, because I wear size 10 and they are very rare in México. I probably still will do that, as well as some clothing. Adams peanut butter? I think not. I will learn to make my own. The small George Foreman grill? No. Asian spices, maybe, I will be very selective. The list goes on. I wonder what you imported into México before that you will not bring again, or will think twice about.

jennifer rose

Jun 10, 2008, 6:08 AM

Post #2 of 15 (1668 views)

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Re: [MazDee] Baggage Restrictions: What Aren't You Bringing

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What a great thread!

But first permit me to digress. Look at the airline's website and see if your ticket falls under one of the exceptions to the dreaded new baggage rule. One exception applies to tickets purchased before a certain date, and some airlines don't apply the dreaded new rule to international flights. But what's *international* varies, too.

Consider what the charge for an additional bag means in terms of trying to buy things which aren't available here in Mexico or which are available only at a very high price.

Now what do I plan on sacrificing in the future? Food. More and more food items are available here, and after living here a certain time, most of that's no longer that important. Ditto with small appliances. But books, cosmetics and clothing -- no, I can't give those up.

Georgia

Jun 10, 2008, 6:53 AM

Post #3 of 15 (1656 views)

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Re: [MazDee] Baggage Restrictions: What Aren't You Bringing

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I hate flying to the US. It's more of a hassle than it's worth to me. We like the drive: it's beautiful and convenient. If we want to travel around the US for whatever reason, we fly to Texas, to our daughter's house, leave the bulk of our stuff in our car at her house and travel light around the country. Then we drive home loaded to the gills with whatever we feel we need to purchase. I'll take my chances with the aduana people over the TSA people and the airlines any day of the week.

cristalhombre

Jun 10, 2008, 7:10 AM

Post #4 of 15 (1651 views)

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Re: [MazDee] Baggage Restrictions: What Aren't You Bringing

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Here is a trick I have learned on Mexicana Airlines (and maybe this is true for other airlines too) If you upgrade to first class (generally about $100 usd on the day of the flight) you can take a third bag at NO charge. I believe if you are flying coach and want to add a bag the charge is $50 usd.

From Portland to Guadalajara there is a daily-direct flight and I have brought down items as large as teak deck chairs (65 lbs each - still in the box - unassembled) as baggage - No charge and have been able to get thru customs too.

If you are hauling stuff to Lakeside, it is another option.

"NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST...."

(This post was edited by cristalhombre on Jun 10, 2008, 7:11 AM)

bournemouth

Jun 10, 2008, 7:16 AM

Post #5 of 15 (1646 views)

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Re: [cristalhombre] Baggage Restrictions: What Aren't You Bringing

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I think the upgrade charge has gone up to $150.00. But it is still a useful option for a comfortable flight.

sioux4noff

Jun 10, 2008, 10:01 AM

Post #6 of 15 (1611 views)

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Re: [MazDee] Baggage Restrictions: What Aren't You Bringing

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Sadly, the things we would no longer bring will be as much stuff for others. Each trip, a lot of what we return with is things for friends and other ex-pats. Our next trip is driving, however, so we already have the list going.

sandykayak

Jun 10, 2008, 11:57 AM

Post #7 of 15 (1590 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Baggage Restrictions: What Aren't You Bringing

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That's if you are lucky enough to be going on a flight that has an empty seat in first class. I wasn't! :( Paid $200 in excess baggage cos I thought Mexicana was still allowing 70 lbs per bag.
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

morgaine7

Jun 10, 2008, 1:39 PM

Post #8 of 15 (1566 views)

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Re: [sandykayak] Baggage Restrictions: What Aren't You Bringing

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I was in Ohio last month getting belongings stored with my family, so I took a partly filled bag with my travel stuff and a second empty one for the return. I also thought the international limit was 70 lbs. per bag but fortunately checked the Delta website while packing to come home. It's 50 lbs. per bag with a $150 charge for overweight or excess. Yikes!! Needless to say, 40 lbs. of items didn't make the trip back with me.

Normally I bring back very little. Some clothing, yes, and the odd household item I can't find here. This time I bought a ceiling fan light kit (which was my "carry-on" for the return), a corner connector for drapery rods, and some Magic Sliders. In the future, if I need to bring more, I'll take less. I tend to overpack because visiting the midwest requires clothing and shoes for all seasons.

Kate

TigerTonio

Jun 11, 2008, 12:05 AM

Post #9 of 15 (1514 views)

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Re: [sandykayak] Baggage Restrictions: What Aren't You Bringing

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I'll be flying on Mexicana to Morelia from Sacramento on June 27th and they are allowing me check in 2 bags at 99 lbs each.

mazatlanlee

Jun 13, 2008, 10:15 PM

Post #10 of 15 (1413 views)

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Re: [MazDee] Baggage Restrictions: What Aren't You Bringing

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I'm starting to pack for a trip to the states, and am traveling with one checked bag, and a minimum of clothing, because I'll shop for new clothing when I get to my daughter's location. I'll take only one pair of shoes, and replace them with the same style in the states. The old pair will stay in the tub I keep at my daughter's home, and I'll bring the new pair home. Ditto on some of the clothing I'm packing to go north. Replace it and leave it behind. Basically, what I've done within the last year was setting up a 'tub' of my personal belongings at each of two of my kids' homes. Brush, mirror, shampoo, hair spray, face cream, etc, plus extra clothing, and a book I'll enjoy reading, etc. I have a list of the things in each of those tubs, so I will know what I don't need to pack when I get ready to leave Maz this summer. Being able to pack light and 'swap out' various pieces of clothing, I'll have room in the bag for the things I need to bring back with me. The only things I absolutely refuse to live without are dryer sheets (cheap as dirt NOB and spendy here, IF you can find them) and my favorite breakfast bars and TEA.... lots of TEA. The tea and dryer sheets weigh very little. If the breakfast bars put me overweight on baggage, OH WELL: better for the baggage to weigh too much than for ME to gain all the weight back that I've lost in the last couple of years!

What I'm NOT bringing back with me this year is a ton of books and things like artichoke hearts and Ocean Spray dried cranberries, bags of almonds, etc. Guess I've learned to eat less of my old favorite snack foods and more local snack foods.

Lee
Lee's Photos: Beyond the Guardrails

bournemouth

Jun 14, 2008, 6:52 AM

Post #11 of 15 (1388 views)

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Re: [mazatlanlee] Baggage Restrictions: What Aren't You Bringing

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Lee - are not most of the things you mention available at Sams Club in Mazatlan? I haven't been there for several years but remember it being well stocked.

esperanza

Jun 14, 2008, 7:00 AM

Post #12 of 15 (1388 views)

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Re: [mazatlanlee] Baggage Restrictions: What Aren't You Bringing

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I buy dried cranberries at my local weekly tianguis. Two booths carry them. Most of the seed and spice stores in town carry them as well. None of these vendors has a foreign client base.

30 pesos worth do me for several recipes of cranberry scones.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

(This post was edited by esperanza on Jun 14, 2008, 7:01 AM)

JohnnyBoy

Jun 14, 2008, 9:39 AM

Post #13 of 15 (1362 views)

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Re: [mazatlanlee] Baggage Restrictions: What Aren't You Bringing

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I recently flew from Hermosillo to Salt Lake City and back. I bought the ticket online from Orbitz and it turned out to be one of those multiple airline tickets. I flew US Airways to Las Vegas via Phoenix, then Delta to SLC. Delta from SLC back to Tucson, then AeroMexico (AeroLitoral) to HMO.

I took a large suitcase up with me because I knew I would do some shopping in SLC and would need the room. I had not figured on a weight problem but I was four pounds over in SLC (54 lbs. the limit being 50 lbs.) and Delta wanted to charge me $80 for those four extra pounds.

I simply put a couple of things (two water-saver shower heads and a bag of peanut M&M's) in my carry-on bag and ended up with 50 pounds exactly in my checked suitcase.

Like so many things in life this all defied logic, or at least MY logic. The same 54 lbs all got on the plane. I saw one couple, both obese, and could not help but wonder when the airlines are going to start weighing the passengers and charging extra for being over some limit. Re-distributing a little weight to get around that problem may become a whole lot more complicated.

BajaGringo

Jun 14, 2008, 10:08 AM

Post #14 of 15 (1353 views)

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Re: [JohnBleazard] Baggage Restrictions: What Aren't You Bringing

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I think it makes a lot of sense for airlines to charge us for our "net" weight when traveling. Their costs to fly us is proportional to the weight of the plane including passengers and baggage. I say just make each person stand on a scale with their luggage and the cost will be the sum of the base fare plus $X.XX per pound. Advertised fares would be for example:

Los Angeles - Chicago
Base Fare - $100
Per Pound - $0.50

It may sound ridiculous but from an airlines point of view it makes a lot of sense and perhaps it will "inspire" the record numbers of overweight people today to lose some of that extra baggage they have been carrying around. Maybe I won't have to experience another flight like the last one I took from Miami to Buenos Aires, squeezed in-between two very, very large and overweight folks that saw no problem with taking over both arm rests and overflowing into my seat in the middle. They were a mother and son. I couldn't figure out at first why they hadn't reserved the seats next to each other but after a few minutes it became obvious. They knew they wouldn't fit.

Worst flight of my life. I would have a preferred my previous worst flight of Osaka to Singapore with an out of control four year old behind me kicking the seat the entire flight.

OK, I'll shut up. Rant over...

Our House Building Project in Mexico...
Lomas de San Martin
Loving Life on the Baja Peninsula

thriftqueen

Jun 14, 2008, 4:11 PM

Post #15 of 15 (1314 views)

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Re: [BajaGringo] Baggage Restrictions: What Aren't You Bringing

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Worst flight of my life - with an out of control four year old behind me kicking the seat the entire flight.

My daughter retired this past June from ABQ Police Dept, retiring as a Captain, with several years supervising violent crimes. She now works for Southwest Airlines as a flight attendant and you should hear her stories of those bratty kids and their acquiescent parents, as well as the unbelievable unruly adults. None of the crew enjoys working the flights into Orlando. I think I would prefer policing but she is enjoying the change.

We are in ABQ for some R and R from the dust and heat of Alamos, the big buzz on TV news is speculating when the airlines will start charging passengers by the body weight. As one commentator remarked the rules are changing daily with the airlines trying to beat the gas prices. They posted notice yesterday most airlines will now be charging for drinks, even water.

Mazlee you made me laugh with trying to decide what to exclude from your "bring backs". I can identify with the tea issue, McCormicks just doesn't cut it. Someone on another forum has suggested shipping those items to yourself.

Georgia, I'm with you on flying - I love having my car and the convenience of it. However those gas prices made us gag, we drove from Alamos to Ft Worth, TX to visit a terminally ill relative, returning to ABQ. I just added up the cost of gas for that trip and it was $187.00. We just filled the car today at Costco to the tune of $383.9 per gal. in TX it was up to $4.04 per gal.