J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Mekka

Hand Baggage

All passsngers receive a hand baggage allowance of 5kgs when travelling on a Thomas Cook Airline flights. This cannot be combined together with other passengers or with any hold baggage.

Each person is allowed 1 item only. The size of the item cannot exceed 43 cm x 28 cm x 23 cm (17 x 11 x 9 inches) in size as recommended by Thomas Cook Airlines.For information on items that are not allowed in your hand baggage please click here.

Childs Trunki Cases are accepted as hand baggage as long as this is associated to a child travelling. This cannot exceed 5kgs in weight. If the weight limit does exceed this the Trunki will have to be checked into the hold. This will then be part of your hold baggage weight limit.

Please note, at some UK airports a charge for a Gate Bag will now be applied. This means if customers arrive at the boarding gate with more then one item of hand baggage (excluding airport shopping) the extra item/s will be taken and put into the hold. There is a fee of £40.00 per bag that will be charged.

Hold Baggage

There are no size restrictions for your hold baggage, however there is a weight resrtiction. No single case can weight any more then 30kgs. This is due to Health and Safety regulations for the baggage handlers.

Hold baggage can be combined between passengers providing they are all confirmed on the same booking reference. If passengers are travelling together but have separate booking references, you cannot combine the weight allowance.

I don't think that the one bag only hold luggage rule is made clear above. The site I checked before I flew. It is made clear for hand luggage. If it's the same for hold luggage why is it not mentioned.

I have been lulled into a false sense of security by airlines 'allowing' 'excesses' and now deciding to dot every I and cross every T. This is no reason for airlines to email one set of weights and dimensions, state another on their sites and then have a different view at the check in desk.

I did read the weight limits. They didn't mention that it was only one bag per person.

I have sought confirmation and found differing information. When I have phoned I have been told that I can't have a straight answer because it depends on 'security'. So I ring the airport. They say security restrictions are clearly stated, anything exceptional to that is down to the airline who won't answer my question.

I have a standard, light case. I have hand luggage that conforms to almost every airline's restrictions. I'm not a numpty who never travels. I work within the limits and usually well within.

Whether I choose to take my boots in my bag or pack them in my case and use my boot bag for clothes is hardly the relevant part of the argument. Will Thomas Cook now charge everyone on flights this winter if they have 17Kg of luggage in a suitcase and a boot bag? I doubt it. It would take too long. They enforce when it suits. Hardly providing clarity. But muddy waters make for more gullible folk to be chargable.

Flying to Cyprus this Summer I was well within my 20kg limit. I had 2 hold bags though and was charged for the second. This was the first time I'd been told 'Yes, but you've only paid for 1 bag each.' I wonder what will happen if I try to board below 20kg but with my boots in a separate boot bag?

The airlines get craftier every month.

It doesn't help that you get 3 different descriptions of what's allowed. I think the next crackdown on the airlines bending the truth should be the variety of differences in 'rules' and their refusal to write to confirm when challenged.

I don't mind if I have to pay the going rate for a purchase. Just be transparent about that going rate and 'surcharges'. Airlines and insurance companies seem to be loathe to do this.

A Google search says that some HSBC accounts include 21 days of winter sports insurance. I'd give them a ring before you visit the hospital.

My other half was treated in Andorra's main hospital. They won't touch you without payment upfront or confirmation of insurance.

The medical staff were wonderful. All other staff were a nightmare. Rude and unhelpful. Stand your ground with them.

The modulator lenses look great. santa may have more than one request for goggles this year :-)

Due to battery limitations I'll take my Garmin watch with me this year instead. Hopefully I'll get a better GPS signal than with a smartphone. Not sure how precise the Garmin Connect maps will be around ski resorts.

I couldn't be bothered faffing around with my phone last year. Battery drained ridiculously fast. Download charges are scandalous. Keeping phone safe and where it could get a signal without being too close to my lift pass, forget it. That was before you calculated the arsing around while wearing bulky gloves factor. It took the pleasure out of skiing. No-one was interested enough in the results to put up with the delays.

When they suit I have an app for everything. Sportswise I find proper GPS equipment beats an app hands down.

This is a list of their brands and partner brands from their website. http://www.thomascook.com/brands/

Hope we still get to go in Feb. Who do we pray to?

Hopefully (depending on finances) I'll go to Glide and Slide in W Yorks. They're by far the closest to me. They have a 'Gold' standard so should be pretty good.

bandit wrote:This is a list of UK Ski Shops who have Bootfitters accredited by the BSBA. This is one way of making sure you get fitted properly. Currently members seem to be the leading independent shops, the chain stores don't seem to be participating.

http://www.skibootpro.co.uk/6.html

Thanks for the link Bandit :-)

I needed to knock the 6.html off the end though.

Seriously thinking of buying new boots this year and the thought on this forum have made me realise it needs doing properly.

Plus I need anything & everything that will improve my skiing!