Flying in China - baggage

[Duomi]

Hi all, (great forum by the way,)

I was awarded a full CSC scholarship to attend Harbin Normal University. However, I was only contacted by the Chinese consulate here in San Francisco two weeks ago. I had originally planned to attend Beida, and so had a plane ticket for some months now to Beijing. I have purchased a ticket from Beijing to Harbin a few hours after my flight from the U.S. lands in Beijing, though it is a Domestic flight, which has much lower baggage allowances. Here is my question, please: Being an international student, and considering that I will be coming straight from an international flight, do you think that the airline (China Air) allow me to bring two pieces of luggage, even if it allows only one smallish piece? Harbin is very cold, and I am two-meters tall, so I xu yao must needs bring fitting winter clothing and shoes! The fees for extra/overweight baggage are quite high (hundreds of dollars.)

What has your experience been? Have the airline staff been by-the book, or are circumstances taken into account when handling a situation such as mine.

Many thanks,

[subha]

hi,

my sister was lucky to carry baggages in domestic flight with no charges. she arrived beijing in malaysian airlines, stayed for 3 days in beijing and carried back all her baggages (exceeded 30kg )to shenzhen in china southern airlines.

[Duomi]

Subha, thanks for the reply. I hope this is the case for me too!

[abcdefg]

...do you think that the airline (China Air) allow me to bring two pieces of luggage?

My experience is that they go by the book. I've had to pay overweight fees. They didn't care where I had come from or where I was going, and weren't interested in listening to a recital of extenuating circumstances. They gave me a chance to stuff everything I could into my carry on bag, and then sent me off to another desk to pay the extra charge.

But it was a matter of a hundred or so Yuan, not a hundred or so US Dollars.

That being said, I'm sure the individual ticket counter agent has some discretion and if you smile sweetly it might help. If he or she is having a bad day, you are out of luck. Still, plan for the worst, but hope for the best.

Ditch everything you can except clothes that you won't be able to find in your size in China. Don't bring towels and sheets and any other things you can buy in a Harbin WalMart after arrival. Consider having your family send you some of your stuff by slow parcel post after you get there, especially if the items are heavy or bulky.

I go back and forth at least once every year, and have now got it down to one checked bag. They will usually cut you more slack on the size and weight of your carry on items. Slipping two checked suitcases through instead of one, is not likely to work because that's more flagrant than your one suitcase just weighing a little too much. The people behind you in line will see and want to do the same thing.

[Sarevok]

Last time I flew to Dongbei (though not Harbin, but much smaller city), I had to take some spare parts with me (essentially a few heavy pieces of metal) and had to pay the overweight fee. It was 21 RMB per kg (a little over $3) with Capital Airlines and I would expect it to be about the same for other airlines as well...

[Duomi]

Right. It's going to be tight and highly selective packing for me. Guess I'll have to wear my jackets on the plane!

Thanks!

[abcdefg]

If you have a bulky coat or jacket, definitely wear it. You can also wear two pair of pants if need be. Dress like a snowman for the flight, and peel off layers once you board. That's SOP for situations such as these.

One additional point that may be of some comfort. Dongei people tend to be larger than in the southern parts of China. You are more likely to be able to find big sizes of outer garments in Harbin. Shoes may still be a problem, however.

Best wishes for your upcoming trip.