Cathy Pacific with carry-ons

[eyu 27]

I am flying Cathy Pacific in business class from JKF to HKG to DPS and back.

 

Will I be able to take two carry-ons? One backpack with lens and bodies and one roll-on with housing, strobes and chargers, each weighing 30+ pounds.

 

Their web site states the limit is 22 pounds for one carry-on, plus one small backpack.

 

Have fellow wetpixelers been dinged?

 

Should I just go with a backpack and ship the housing in the hole?

 

Thanks for your help,

Elmer

[Drew 0]

I've never had an issue @ LAX with J or F class carrying 40lbs in one bag, 30+lbs in the backpack and a jacket full of stuff, but not sure about JFK. It's really the staff at the airport that enforce this issue. When stopping over @ HKIA, make sure you use the J/F class check in entry for immigration. I had an issue with the normal gate once, where they used sizewise as the gauge for baggage dimensions, but then I just walked to F class and walked right through. I personally like the Pier lounge more than the Wing.
Never have any issue @ DPS. Get the liveaboard to have a fixer meet you @ DPS so you get whisked through Visa entry and possibly baggage. Keep your camera in the housing and carry the 2nd body, just in case they go back to their old ways. Haven't had an issue the last 2 years (travelled with 5 cameras and 4 housings) but never know. DPS lounge sucks so arrive as late as possible and just pay the fixer to rush you through immigration. I think the rate for the fixer is now $20.
I suggest you get a deep pocket jacket like a Stealth Gear for air travel. It'll double as an emergency bag in case someone bugs you at the gate @ HKIA. I usually dump the housings, arms and lights/strobes into the checked bags for the trip home. Easier to travel with just the HDD, camera bag and computer. Have fun!

[davehicks 99]

I flew coach on Cathy Pacific from Vancouver to Hong Kong and back a few years ago, and I don't think they would have minded if I checked or carried on a baby elephant! They were great and did not weigh or measure any of the approximately 300lbs of gear I traveled with. Two people, traveling to HKG and Philippines with everything needed for a week of rebreather diving, with tanks, AND with a full set of formal wedding attire.

 

I don't think you'll have any trouble in business class.

 

I am flying Cathy Pacific in business class from JKF to HKG to DPS and back.

 

Will I be able to take two carry-ons? One backpack with lens and bodies and one roll-on with housing, strobes and chargers, each weighing 30+ pounds.

 

Their web site states the limit is 22 pounds for one carry-on, plus one small backpack.

 

Have fellow wetpixelers been dinged?

 

Should I just go with a backpack and ship the housing in the hole?

 

Thanks for your help,

Elmer

[troporobo 244]

Traveling CX in business class, you are entitled to 2 carry-ons. I take a rolling bag and a seriously heavy briefcase on business trips and have never seen them weigh these in any airport that I pass through (MNL, AKL, SYD, HKG, LAX, SFO, YVR), but I do not travel through JFK so cannot be definitive

[cdoyal 0]

Cathay is tough on everyone in Chicago - even business class. Apparently, the manager there is quite a problem for everyone and makes up the rules as he goes along.

[divengolf 17]

In May 2012, I traveled CX from LAX to Hong Kong and on to Manila in cattle class. No problems. No one was checked that I saw and I carried on my 1510 pelican weighing 35# plus a backpack weighing 25#. Plus I checked 2 bags at about 50# each.

 

I almost went via Chicago. Glad that I didn't per String Ray's post.

[eyu 27]

Has anybody had experience with JFK carrying a backpack and a roll-on that are 30+ pounds each?

 

It seems that if I can make it past JFK I will be home free on CX.

[Drew 0]

I forget to add that if your are Club Marco Polo Diamond, you are allowed 15kg bags as cabin luggage.

[eyu 27]

Unfortunately I do not have Marco Polo status.

 

I just need to get past the check in at JFK with my backpack and roll-on weighing 30+ lbs each.

[Drew 0]

If you have AA or any other high status with one world, just contact CX and tell them you want to fly with them now and they'll give you one year of equal status. Most airlines will do this (except SIA).

 

As for JFK, I've never had a problem with SIA or Virgin, so I doubt CX will be an issue.

[eyu 27]

If you have AA or any other high status with one world, just contact CX and tell them you want to fly with them now and they'll give you one year of equal status. Most airlines will do this (except SIA).

 

 

That is good to know, thanks.

[eyu 27]

I arrived back in the States yesterday. My Cathay Pacific experience with my carry-ons was not a problem at JFK, but an issue in Hong Kong and almost a problem at Denpasar. In Hong Kong I could not find a special immigration entrance for J/F, only three regular entrances. We got stopped trying to enter with a backpack and a roll-on and we were sent back to the Cathay Pacific business ticket counter where we had to check the roll-on. We tried pleading with the supervisor, but to no avail. The roll-ons arrived in Denpasar intact and undamaged, they tagged them fragil. On the way back in Denpasar I had to weigh my carry-ons and was told that I would have to check one, but I showed the agent that it was camera gear and she let me through. My dive buddy had no issues at Denpasar when he checked in. Because of the Hong Kong immigration issues with our carry-ons we elected to spend our return transit time in the transit area and not get a hotel room for the eleven hour layover.

 

Except for the carry-on problems at Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific was excellent. Business class accommodations were very comfortable with great food and a very polite cabin crews. I will fly with them again, but next time I will check in my housings and ports.

 

Elmer

Edited September 12, 2013 by eyu

[Drew 0]

Sorry Elmer that was my fault. There isn't a "special" immigration line for J/F class in HKIA but a fast track for APEC/HKID holders. But yes, HKIA are a bit particular about the hand baggage size and weight nowadays. Again, sorry for the bad info. Got my airports mixed up with SIN, which has private immigration for SQ.

[eyu 27]

Drew, no problem. I have been doing spring and fall Indo-Pacific trips for the last few years and have not flown Cathay Pacific through HKG in 30 yrs. I usually transit through SIN or ICN on my way to the Philippines or Indonesia. I have decided that lugging a heavy backpack and a 45 lb roll-on is a pain, both literally and physically. On my next trip I will pack my housing, ports and strobes in a pelican or a less obvious lowepro as baggage and avoid the carry-on problems.

 

Elmer

[DrFiscus 1]

Elmer:
Admit it - the heavy carry-on is just too much for an older fellow such as yourself.

LOL

Andy

[eyu 27]

Andrew,

 

I may be getting older, but also getting wiser with my years. Why shlep heavy gear as a carry-on and get hassled as I try to board when I can ship it it as baggage? My roll-on gets put in the cargo hold anyway on in-country flights.

 

Elmer

Edited September 13, 2013 by eyu

[Moose 3]

I'll be flying Cathay Pacific from Copenhagen to Sydney via London in two weeks in Economy, not sure how I'll manage dive gear plus camera plus housing plus suit and shoes for a wedding, besides everything else I'd like to pack for a month on Australia.

 

Has anyone managed to check an extra piece of "sports gear" luggage for a reasonable price on Cathay? The per kg price on their website would mean thousands of dollars for an extra suitcase.

[Drew 0]

Andrew,

 

I may be getting older, but also getting wiser with my years. Why shlep heavy gear as a carry-on and get hassled as I try to board when I can ship it it as baggage? My roll-on gets put in the cargo hold anyway on in-country flights.

 

Elmer

Well the one most important reason is the ability to shoot if none of the bags make it. Most locations will have rental dive gear but not photo gear. Carrying the absolute minimum gear to shoot no matter what is important. Unfortunately, gear goes missing a lot more often at airports nowadays. Happened to me quite a few times. I send the gear back in the hold on the return portion.

 

I'll be flying Cathay Pacific from Copenhagen to Sydney via London in two weeks in Economy, not sure how I'll manage dive gear plus camera plus housing plus suit and shoes for a wedding, besides everything else I'd like to pack for a month on Australia.

 

Has anyone managed to check an extra piece of "sports gear" luggage for a reasonable price on Cathay? The per kg price on their website would mean thousands of dollars for an extra suitcase.

 

If you aren't high on the Marco Polo Club food chain, they tend to be a bit nasty about weight. I would suggest you consider sending some stuff as unaccompanied baggage earlier and claim it at the airport when you arrive.

[eyu 27]

"Well the one most important reason is the ability to shoot if none of the bags make it. Most locations will have rental dive gear but not photo gear. Carrying the absolute minimum gear to shoot no matter what is important. Unfortunately, gear goes missing a lot more often at airports nowadays. Happened to me quite a few times. I send the gear back in the hold on the return portion."

 

I agree completely on being able to shoot upon arrival, but as per my last trip it is increasingly harder and harder to take a backpack and a roll-on as carry-ons. I was intervened upon at HKG by their TSA types and could not pass the screening with two carry-ons, plus the local Indonesian or Philippine airlines do not allow you to bring a US size roll-on as a carry-on. The in country flights simply do have overhead racks that are large enough since these are Embraer like planes.

 

Elmer

Edited September 16, 2013 by eyu