Has anyone flown this summer Alitalia to Italy. Wondering if they are sticking to their 70 lb weight requirements in a serious fashion? (Lots of little black shoes in that bag)
Also how have delays been going out of Ohare internationally on Alitalia?
Thanks!!

One more thing-I am obviously not able to lock my luggage anymore, right? This is my first post 9/11 international flight.

Hi tamryn,

You are seriously thinking of carrying 70 lbs of luggage with you?

Hi,

You can use your locks, but if the TSA people want to look inside they will cut them off

We use plastic cable ties from the hardware store.

Hi tamryn,
Other than Continental to MX, most are very picky and the 62" standards are rigid.
That said, smile, be humble, all the good stuff and you may get a break.
At worst, stuff the junk back in your parked car or the car which "brung 'ya".
M

As far as luggage locks go, even before 9-11 I was using the ring from a key ring - it can be removed if required and replaced without destroying it, or if it does get cut off by a security person pressed for time, it's no big loss. The rings provide just as much or more "security" as those flimsy little suitcase locks we used in the pre-9-11 travel days, which is, only to hopefully prevent the suitcase from opening up in transit and spilling one's undies all over the place.

Can you carry the luggage yourself? Even if you have someone along who can carry the luggage, what would you do if s/he becomes unable to do so from the hernia?

Every time I check luggage, it is weighed. The people with overweight luggage have to pay a fee.

Hope for clear skies everywhere or you might have a delay.

You can't serioiusly be considering taking that much to Italy! If you do I wish you all the luck in the world. Also, we use the plastic ties for locks to. It'll save your luggage.

The airlines are enforcing the weight rules as a way to earn more money. I had to travel with some materials for a meeting that made my suitcase go over the limit. They made me pay and I was flying first class. You may want to consider taking two bags. More hassle, but they allow two so you can carry what you want and not have to pay.

Do not worry about all the posters giving you a bad time about trying to look good in Italy. Some of them can do Europe with one pair of old jeans that I would not wear to work in the yard. You will see these people daily in Europe. But at least they had a light suitcase!

Well, if you have a burro full of shoes weighing in at 70 pounds you probably have hard case luggage. I see 3 mistakes already.

Use a couple of soft side nylon bags and the cable ties to lock them up. Leave a little slack in the cable ties so you can get a pair of nail cli

As I was saying, before the cornfuter took over and sent my last message:
Leave a little slack in the cable ties so you can get a pair of nail clippers in the loop to cut them off. If TSA opens the bag they may put their own version of a cable tie back on it. They did for me recently.

For as long as I can remember flying, 40 years already, all airlines always weigh all bags.

Delays, felays, gelays, . . . bring a book as an antiperspirant.

I know everyone on this board constantly focuses on traveling light. But - i prefer to take with me everything that I think I'll need. And although it hasn;t come to 70 pounds - except for a week long business trip followed by vacation when I needed two completely different wardrobes, plus computer, files etc. - I have never had a problem.

It's really simple to deal with the luggage - that's why there are porters - and cabs - and rental cars. If you travel with this much luggage - just organize it so that you never have to move it yourself.

In defense of my situation, let me say that we have only run into the 70 pound problem with one of the huge suitcases on wheels that ended up with reading materials, shoes and lots of the toiletries in addition to clothes. We are also not moving around on this trip, but rather staying stationary in Forte Dei Marmi. Appreciate all the suggestions on the lock situations. Was mostly wondering how early we needed to get to the airport, but will count on 2 hours and hope for the best!