Tricks & Tips

Tip 1; Budget airlines often charge you for individual items of luggage. Most paraglider pilots book Sports Kit for their paraglider. If you do this, don't book any other items of luggage, just put all your clothes in your glider bag and hand luggage. This will save you a fortune!

Tip 2; If there are two or more of you and you have over size luggage, so it won't go down the isle then book in one at a time, the other looking after some of your removed items. When you come back from the check-in simple then place them back in the bag before going to the oversize bag deposit.

Tip 3;Despite what is printed on the ticket, you can usually carry one peice of hand luggage PLUS a laptop bag. Stuff the laptop bag with items too. I managed to get 25kgs in hand luggage last week! (Dec '08) NOTE: This trick isn't so easy now. Ryanair are also weighing hand luggage to enforce a 10kg limit. Easyjet has no limit still.

Tip 4; Hand luggage is often being checked now at airports for size but rarely weight. Put you reserve and any other compact but heavey items into your hand luggage if you are short of weight on your main. NOTE: As stated above, Ryanair are now imposing a 10kg limit on hand luggage and checking!

Tip 5; If you are at Stansted and they are checking hand luggage, walk down the isle and look for the man that isn't. There are several gates and usually one is busy chatting.

Tip 6; Be nice and be upfront. If you smile at the girl at check in and explain to her that the rules have changed since you last flew and you didn't realise it was so strict she will appreciate the honesty and friendly face and will often let you get away with it.