In Reply to: Just Back Excess Luggage posted by suelee on Saturday, 30. September 2006 at 12:08 Bali Time:
Hi ya,
My friend flew back on guaruda on the 19th September. Also got hit with the excess. I am a seasoned worker at the airport both now for a few airlines but also ex ansett.
The real deal.
The less financial the airline the harder they become with the excess. Garuda are pretty much always being financially supported by the goverment and not viable financially in their own right. Thus garuda are charging like a wounded bull at the moment and my friend also said they charged every one on her plane from 20kg.
Your ticket will state 20kg but all airlines have a un advertised threshold before they SHOULD charge. Garuda is 25kg recently dropped from 28kg. Qantas is also 25kg, But if you tell checkin in Bali that you asked at the airport at the time you left australia, mention a common name "i.e jenny told me you would not charge from 28kg" You will and should get away with it. We have every time.
Also DVD lover's - Do not put these in your checked in luggage. Put them in your hand luggage! We worked out 150 DVD's weigh approx 7.5kg!
Also if worried they will weigh your hand luggage and you are travelling with children, buy them a DOra, Sponge bob, Spiderman etc rolling back pack and fill this with the heavy item's and/or dvd's. They very very rarely weigh hand luggage in bali and even more rarely wiegh kiddy looking roller back pack bags.
Sorry for the spelling, Just got back our selves last night and into the duty free scotch.
Hubby thought I was mad with the kiddy hand luggage but alas 23kg between the two kids backpacks and no excess. Could have done more shopping, as ended up 15kg under in checked in luggage.
Only my experience but works for us and gives us a head start in saving for the next trip.