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| At the Airport |
This is what flew with us on American Airlines, December 2013. We flew business class which gave us THREE FREE bags each! We paid $150 for each additional bag, thus our three extra bags cost us $450. Also, by flying business class we had a weight allowance of 70# each bag!
- FIVE plastic Sterilite footlockers purchased at Wal-Marts in our local area.. We initially thought we could make it with only four but as we continued packing things, five it was! We purchased luggage straps and put one on each one as well as a TSA approved lock with a flexible hasp.
- TWO large duffle bags:
Kelty X-Large was used for Stu's scuba bag and gear
Northstar Diamond Ripstop Nylon Duffle was used for all the last minute clothes from our cruise and two weeks on the road, visiting with family & friends
- TWO High Sierra Rolling Duffles
- TWO High Sierra Rolling Carry-ons (with removable backpacks)
- TWO Personal Carry-ons:
Stu carried a laptop bag and I carried a tote-bag with my purse and other necessaries.
The next post will give more detail about what we packed in the above luggage!
Donna, Thanks so much. This information will be so valuable to those of us who have not yet made the move. You'll probably address this in an upcoming post, but I'm wondering if all the pieces that you've described above were able to come with you on your flight into the country? Wondering if this much is allowed - and what kind of costs were incurred? Love your blog!!!
ReplyDeleteSomehow a whole paragraph got lost in the blog...just re-added that information. This is what flew with us via American Airlines. We flew Business Class which gave us a 70# allowance each bag (none of ours were much over 63#) and THREE bags each, free! Thus we paid for the additional three at $150 each. I don't regret bringing anything! ;)
DeleteSine you had some bags/items with you were you not worried that someone might come up and snatch something? It would be difficult to keep an eye on everything and it would be easy for a couple of thieves to distract you and grab something.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking it's best, since I will be traveling alone, to come with one big bag and a carry-on. And then maybe ship the rest later.
Comments?
The Guayaquil airport seemed well guarded and everyone seemed to be busy looking for their own bags. Since there were two of us, it was easy to keep an eye on things. I'd get the cart first and keep it beside you.
DeleteIt also concerns about shipping things later, because they might go missing in transit. Maybe I am just more paranoid than I should be.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't ship a container or even a pallet but we know folks that have. Most have had no problem but it can get pricey.
DeleteThere are two other ways to approach it. When we go back to the US we will bring more things back with us. Some folks leave packed bags with friends and relatives and they bring them down when they visit.
I don't understand...because you flew business class, each of you could bring 3 bags free + you paid $450 for three additional bags...total 9 bags
ReplyDeletebut when I looked at all of your bags (not counting your carryon's), there are 12 bags???
thanks
denise
The two smaller High Sierra bags were carry-ons, Denise. We had 5 footlockers, 2 rolling duffels and 2 other duffels. That makes nine. Our carry-ons were two rolling bags, one computer bag and one tote bag.
DeleteThanks for sharing this! My husband and I are in the final phases of heading to Guam for an extended stay. All about SCUBA for us. Was wondering how I was going to get down our business essentials. My Mom shared with me- Kathy Donley. Best of Luck!
ReplyDeleteSo glad it was helpful, Cyndi. Good luck in your move... Hubby has a rolling scuba gear bag and it was too obvious what it contained. While he always carries his computer with him, we'd hate to have to replace his other gear. So we found the big bag and his rolling bag dropped right inside plus we could add more things to fill it out. Worked out great!
DeleteSounds like us! We moved to Geneva with only suitcases, too - and we upgraded one ticket to business class exactly for that baggage allowance.
ReplyDeleteThe only downside to that is you get hooked on the amenities of Business/First class and hate flying coach again. LOL!
DeleteThank you for all of your info. I have been researching Cuenca for over a year. My boyfriend and I plan on moving there. He is ready to retire but I still have some school age children and have been having a hard time finding info on schools.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Clare! We have several friends in Cuenca with children. Most are home schooling but may have information on schools as well. If you are on Facebook, send me a friend request, http://facebook.com/donna.mcnicol, and I will put you in touch with them.
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