Micato or Tauck pr A&K?
Apr 24th, 2007, 08:09 AM
#42
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jess, I don't know the dimensions of the Micato bag but suffice it to say that it is HUGE and you will never fill it. (If you were to fill it you'd probably be at about twice your allotted weight!)
We flew through Heathrow and yes we were allowed only one carryon. Even my TINY travel purse (barely bigger than a passport) had to be inside my backpack. I recommend a backpack as your carryon so that you can carry it comfortably on short outings and hikes, but others seemed happy with shoulder bags.
The one-bag carryon limit is only at Heathrow, but keep in mind that you may be stuck with your carryon on your lap on some of the internal Africa flights, so you definitely want to keep it small. Of course you can have a separate purse (sometimes I also had my camera bag separate from my carryon).
We flew through Heathrow and yes we were allowed only one carryon. Even my TINY travel purse (barely bigger than a passport) had to be inside my backpack. I recommend a backpack as your carryon so that you can carry it comfortably on short outings and hikes, but others seemed happy with shoulder bags.
The one-bag carryon limit is only at Heathrow, but keep in mind that you may be stuck with your carryon on your lap on some of the internal Africa flights, so you definitely want to keep it small. Of course you can have a separate purse (sometimes I also had my camera bag separate from my carryon).
Apr 24th, 2007, 08:35 AM
#43
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,774
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jess, I just wrote a post that took 1/2 hr - answering all of your questions in GREAT detail as I have just looked into all this myself (re London) - and then - poof - it didn't post, it said, 'error'.
AAARGH - I have to run to work but I will answer again at lunch with the info!
AAARGH - I have to run to work but I will answer again at lunch with the info!
Apr 24th, 2007, 01:27 PM
#48
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
London is presently the worst airport at which to transfer. Seems the other European airports are soon to follow London's rules/regs, but it doesn't seem to be happening. But, as long as you're aware, you have to plan accordingly.
Once in-country - Kenya/Tanzania - while the total 33/lbs is supposed to include your carryon and camera equipment and they "may" weigh the carryon with the main piece, unless you are way way overweight, you should be fine and not be charged extra.
The carryon, will either sit on your lap or on the floor between your legs. Forget overhead bins, except for a few of the 42/seat large planes, but you can't get more than something flat into those overheads.
As to whether you have to use the Micato bag - it's appreciated by Micato, but if you have a lighter weight duffle w/o wheels and prefer that, then use what you wish.
Once in-country - Kenya/Tanzania - while the total 33/lbs is supposed to include your carryon and camera equipment and they "may" weigh the carryon with the main piece, unless you are way way overweight, you should be fine and not be charged extra.
The carryon, will either sit on your lap or on the floor between your legs. Forget overhead bins, except for a few of the 42/seat large planes, but you can't get more than something flat into those overheads.
As to whether you have to use the Micato bag - it's appreciated by Micato, but if you have a lighter weight duffle w/o wheels and prefer that, then use what you wish.
Apr 24th, 2007, 01:43 PM
#50
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,675
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll let you know when I pass thru DXB. 
Understand, the regs are the same as departing the US - in "last class" - with 1/carryon bag, plus your handbag for the ongoing flight to NBO. That's what I was advised when I picked-up my tickets at the Emirates office.
NBO/KGL is your main bag and carryon. But, suggest you check with your tour operator on restrictions, based on type of equipment flown. Often the weight limit is 20Kg/42-lbs, but you have to verify.
Understand, the regs are the same as departing the US - in "last class" - with 1/carryon bag, plus your handbag for the ongoing flight to NBO. That's what I was advised when I picked-up my tickets at the Emirates office.
NBO/KGL is your main bag and carryon. But, suggest you check with your tour operator on restrictions, based on type of equipment flown. Often the weight limit is 20Kg/42-lbs, but you have to verify.
Apr 25th, 2007, 08:07 AM
#52
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,774
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Jess-
Sorry it took me a day to get back to you, wow, crazy busy this week - all the last minute tax filers are at my door!
Here is what I found out from BA on carry on & checked bags (note this is BA's rules - are you flying with them, or other?)
From the US or Canada to London:
TWO carry on's which include a bag and a purse or a laptop.
BUT- From London outbound anywhere else other than the 'America's' - it is restricted to ONE carry on only and they say they mean it - doesn't matter if you just came from Canada or the US, it's ONE going to Nairobi, Timbuktu or Japan or wherever.
The measurement restriction is 22 x 17.5 x 9.85 inches - and as for the weight it says 'you muyst be able to lift it unaided into the overhead bin'.
Now, with the checked bags:
From the US or Canada to London in economy & World Traveller Plus - TWO bags with a girth of no more than 62 inches (height x weight x length) each, and weighing no more than 51 lbs each. Until Sept they will give an allowance up to 70 lbs though while that new rule phases in.
Outbound from London -
IF you are booked straight through to another destination, & coming from the US or Canada to London, or going to the US or Canada from London, they will accept the TWO bags.
If you stop over in London, or if you originate from London, then you are restricted to ONE checked bag in economy, TWO checked bags in World Traveller Plus
Thankfully we booked World Traveller Plus as we have a 'gift bag' for Kennedy and Daniel & their families (yes, a whole big bag, I went kind of nuts at the mall!) and also the America Shares bag.
Now the clincher - the 'little known' fine print. Kenya has a 'no liquids' at all policy still as of last weekend - NO little baggy allowed with any liquids at all!!! This should be fun if we are stuck in London without our bags on the return flight! (BA gave us 1 hr 20 min to change planes in Heathrow, can you believe that?)
AS for the Micato bag-
It is 14" high, 32" long when the left hand outside pocket is filled, and 14 inches wide, when the front pocket is not filled.
As hasufrau says - it is HUGE and you couldn't possibly stuff it or you would be way overweight!
Just a note here though - buy a really good bag identifier - ie travelsmith has those bright yellow handle werap around the handle things where you can write your name. Everyone on your trip will have the same bag, and the same luggage tags, this will give you the ability to VERY quickly find out which one is yours! We had 18 bags exactly the same - except ours had the bright yellow handle - everytime we got off the aircraft, I kinew right away ours had not been left behind in the hold! It was also good when the porter at the lodges asked - which bag is yours?
Time, wow, where did it go - I'm praying this time it posts! More later... and I haven't checked spelling etc, sorry!
Sorry it took me a day to get back to you, wow, crazy busy this week - all the last minute tax filers are at my door!
Here is what I found out from BA on carry on & checked bags (note this is BA's rules - are you flying with them, or other?)
From the US or Canada to London:
TWO carry on's which include a bag and a purse or a laptop.
BUT- From London outbound anywhere else other than the 'America's' - it is restricted to ONE carry on only and they say they mean it - doesn't matter if you just came from Canada or the US, it's ONE going to Nairobi, Timbuktu or Japan or wherever.
The measurement restriction is 22 x 17.5 x 9.85 inches - and as for the weight it says 'you muyst be able to lift it unaided into the overhead bin'.
Now, with the checked bags:
From the US or Canada to London in economy & World Traveller Plus - TWO bags with a girth of no more than 62 inches (height x weight x length) each, and weighing no more than 51 lbs each. Until Sept they will give an allowance up to 70 lbs though while that new rule phases in.
Outbound from London -
IF you are booked straight through to another destination, & coming from the US or Canada to London, or going to the US or Canada from London, they will accept the TWO bags.
If you stop over in London, or if you originate from London, then you are restricted to ONE checked bag in economy, TWO checked bags in World Traveller Plus
Thankfully we booked World Traveller Plus as we have a 'gift bag' for Kennedy and Daniel & their families (yes, a whole big bag, I went kind of nuts at the mall!) and also the America Shares bag.
Now the clincher - the 'little known' fine print. Kenya has a 'no liquids' at all policy still as of last weekend - NO little baggy allowed with any liquids at all!!! This should be fun if we are stuck in London without our bags on the return flight! (BA gave us 1 hr 20 min to change planes in Heathrow, can you believe that?)
AS for the Micato bag-
It is 14" high, 32" long when the left hand outside pocket is filled, and 14 inches wide, when the front pocket is not filled.
As hasufrau says - it is HUGE and you couldn't possibly stuff it or you would be way overweight!
Just a note here though - buy a really good bag identifier - ie travelsmith has those bright yellow handle werap around the handle things where you can write your name. Everyone on your trip will have the same bag, and the same luggage tags, this will give you the ability to VERY quickly find out which one is yours! We had 18 bags exactly the same - except ours had the bright yellow handle - everytime we got off the aircraft, I kinew right away ours had not been left behind in the hold! It was also good when the porter at the lodges asked - which bag is yours?
Time, wow, where did it go - I'm praying this time it posts! More later... and I haven't checked spelling etc, sorry!
Apr 25th, 2007, 08:23 AM
#53
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great post Lynda - yes, I second the suggestion to put something colorful on your bag. We had colored combination locks which worked great, though something bigger would be even better. (We locked our bags in our rooms every day, which gave us an extra sense of security.)
Apr 25th, 2007, 08:33 AM
#54
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First, a great big thank you! This is extremely valuable information. Fortunately, I tend not to bother with any liquids or gels on board and hope I don't end up needing them for some reason on this trip - which is next January, so anything could happen. I have to laugh at "lifting unaided" as I am barely 5 feet tall and 112 pounds! Most of the flights I am apt to take go through London, though there are a couple that go through Zurich on airlines I am not familiar with. But I'm used to weird requirements: the elevator in the 5th floor Paris apt. I rent is only about a foot deep, and I always have to pack with that in mind.
Apr 25th, 2007, 09:29 AM
#55
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,395
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Now the clincher - the 'little known' fine print. Kenya has a 'no liquids' at all policy still as of last weekend - NO little baggy allowed with any liquids at all!!!
Lynda,
Where did you find out about this and how long has it been in place? When I flew from NBO to DAR back in December there were no liquid restrictions at all. I carried on liquids without putting them in a plastic bag. Is this a new policy?
Lynda,
Where did you find out about this and how long has it been in place? When I flew from NBO to DAR back in December there were no liquid restrictions at all. I carried on liquids without putting them in a plastic bag. Is this a new policy?
Apr 27th, 2007, 05:01 AM
#56
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lynda
In the interest of keeping the facts accurate, be careful with some of the knowledge you dispense here with so much authority!
Things are not always what it seems!
According the official list I have, Micato is NOT a licensed company in Tanzania (and not a member of TATO either). This makes it about impossible for them to own vehicles and operate safaris on their own.
Next time you travel with them, don't trust what your tourleader or driver/guide is telling you! Please look at the registation decals of the vehicles on the back of the car!
Was your driver/guide (not the tour-leader) really a long-term employee of Micato? He could be trained well to say the right things!
In the interest of keeping the facts accurate, be careful with some of the knowledge you dispense here with so much authority!
Things are not always what it seems!
According the official list I have, Micato is NOT a licensed company in Tanzania (and not a member of TATO either). This makes it about impossible for them to own vehicles and operate safaris on their own.
Next time you travel with them, don't trust what your tourleader or driver/guide is telling you! Please look at the registation decals of the vehicles on the back of the car!
Was your driver/guide (not the tour-leader) really a long-term employee of Micato? He could be trained well to say the right things!
Apr 27th, 2007, 09:21 AM
#57
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,774
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry Eben, but I have never professed to be an authority on any information that I have ever posted on this board - my knowledge is form ONE trip only (as everyone well knows) & that would not make me an authority on anything.
I can only go by what I am told, and if it's not true, well, what can I say? By my very nature I will ALWAYS believe what people say, I like to see the world through rose-coloured glasses. And I'm sticking to that!
I will look for the decal and ask again when we go in three weeks, but it makes no difference to me anyhow - the vehicle said Micato and it lived up to the Micato standards of what I was expecting, the guys' shirt and hat said Micato and he lived up (& FAR exceeded) the standards I was expecting. And that's all that counts with me!
I can only go by what I am told, and if it's not true, well, what can I say? By my very nature I will ALWAYS believe what people say, I like to see the world through rose-coloured glasses. And I'm sticking to that!
I will look for the decal and ask again when we go in three weeks, but it makes no difference to me anyhow - the vehicle said Micato and it lived up to the Micato standards of what I was expecting, the guys' shirt and hat said Micato and he lived up (& FAR exceeded) the standards I was expecting. And that's all that counts with me!
Apr 27th, 2007, 12:37 PM
#58
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was just going to add, why does it really matter? As long as the driver/guides and vehicles are top notch, who cares whether they are "borrowed" or whatever from other companies?
Lynda, I think you mentioned your driver/guide was Bernard, and he was the other driver on our trip (unless Micato employs more than one Tanzanian driver named Bernard). We had Rodgers, and he was awesome!
Lynda, I think you mentioned your driver/guide was Bernard, and he was the other driver on our trip (unless Micato employs more than one Tanzanian driver named Bernard). We had Rodgers, and he was awesome!
Apr 27th, 2007, 12:41 PM
#59
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Our driver/guide in Tanzania told me specifically that he had worked for A&K for 18 years and left to work for Micato, and had been working for Micato exclusively for 10 years. He said they are not allowed to work for any other company on their time off, but he did know one driver that moonlighted for Leopard tours on his own time occasionally. Apparently Leopard has a high need for French speaking guides. I agree with Lynda, all we can go on is what they told us, and I absolutely have no reason to doubt him or assume he'l lying.
Apr 27th, 2007, 02:22 PM
#60
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If I worked for ABC Safari's and they were contracted out to, let's say, Micato and I was involved with them for the last 20 years and I was required to wear a shirt and jacket that said Micato and was told to tell everyone that I worked for Micato, I would think that I would tell everyone that I was with Micato for 20 years.
Makes sense.
Makes sense.
