Hand Luggage on Planes

I think in practice a 2000km flight takes a lot longer than a 200km drive, more like a 1000km drive once all other travel to and from the airports is taken into account.

Tony

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Lockhart:
I think in practice a 2000km flight takes a lot longer than a 200km drive, more like a 1000km drive once all other travel to and from the airports is taken into account.

Tony

That's true. I was simply thinking 800kmh Vs 80kmh.

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Lockhart:
I think in practice a 2000km flight takes a lot longer than a 200km drive, more like a 1000km drive once all other travel to and from the airports is taken into account.

Tony

Tony raised an important issue. A routine trip that I do is Riyadh (capital) to Khobar (east coast) in Saudi Arabia. It is a 400 km trip. To complete the trip by car, it takes me anywhere from 3 to 3 and a half hours of driving without a stop. The flight on the other hand is just 45 minutes. Add 30 minutes to the airport and another 1 and a half hours at the airport at departure. Then, add another 30 minutes from airport to destination and we are talking about equal trip duration.

Still, the only reason that I drive more than I fly is because I get to have MY car with me and the reduced cost of the trip. Flying however, wins hands down on the basis of fun factor. I pack very light, have everything prepared ahead of time, I choose the electronic option for everything available just to have a shorter cue and less chance of human error and I love it when all I have is a handbag cause I won't have to wait for my usually delayed luggage at the conveyor belt thingy

Regards...

Flame,

I left Al Khobar just before the new (Jubail?) airport opened. Is it any good? The old Dhahran effort was awful, like The old Larnaca.

Tony

quote:

Originally posted by dave brubeck:
Is it really necessary?

Not as far as I can see. A few essential items possibly, and your see-through sealed bag of duty free.

Planes may have to be redesigned to cope with the additional hold space required (not that I know anything about aeroplane hold volumes), however this could be phased in.

So why bother with it? Does safety not come first over comfort?

Went to Paris Thu./Fri. and the size of bags people were bringing on as "hand" luggage was pathetic, almost as if they could not mentally cope with being parted from their bags. My stuff had to go in the hold as my liquids were in >100ml containers. I'm glad I used checked baggage as at CDG it arrived on the carousel in less than 5 mins. and less than 10 on return to LHR. My colleague had to go through a full bag search, then you have all the wheeling around before the flight and the fight on board to secure overhead locker space and the 2nd fight to get it back out. Yes, checked baggage is the thinking man's hand baggage.

quote:

Originally posted by Calum F:
Yes, checked baggage is the thinking man's hand baggage.

Hmmmmm.....Wonder if any members of the Bolshoi would like to comment on that...!

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Lockhart:
Flame,

I left Al Khobar just before the new (Jubail?) airport opened. Is it any good? The old Dhahran effort was awful, like The old Larnaca.

Tony

Tony;

The new airport has been in operation for about 10 years now. It is located 60 km north west of khobar and is in a somewhat central location between Dammam, Khobar & AL-Qateef. I find it to be one of the best airports I've been to. Very luxurious, efficient, modern and quiet believe it or not.

The old airport - although super ugly - was very practical and near to us. It is still open now as part of the Dhahran military airbase. What lots of Khobar residents are doing these days is book international flights through bahrein. Since driving to the new Dammam airport takes around 40 minutes or so, it is comparable to a trip to Bahrein's airport. Gulf Air is offering lower fairs and better service and that's winning people over. Let me know if you ever have a visit to my part of the world. The place has changed so so much.

Regards...