Air Tahiti (Nui) Baggage Limits (Was Feb 07)

2 Checked bags 50lbs each for coach, 70lbs each for First & BC. I took a 3rd
checked bag (the Ikelite Underwater housing Pellican case) and had to pay $60.00 extra outbound.
I had to hagle with the check in agent as the 22" carryon weighed over 30lbs and she almost
refused it. I think since I volunteered to pay for the 3rd checked bag she let it go. On the return
flight the gate agent gave me a freebe on the 3rd checked bag since I was in BC.

Greg Mossman...

I really hate when they randomly tag carryons that, except for weight, are
within limits. As we were boarding our flight out of Provo on Saturday, the
gate agent, without saying a word, slyly stuck a pink gate claim on my
wheeled carryon, handing me the stub. Yeah, right. That bag contained a
video camera and both our regs/computers, and we were sitting up front on a
737 with plenty of overhead space. What gives? On the walk to the plane, I

mag3...

Similar equipment for mine (the DC310, the DCR-TRV280, dive computer and the Analox OE II)
plus a few odds/ends. It just tipped at over 31lbs and I gather she saw me try to lift it and
then said "please put it on the scale." Lesson learned: roll it in their presence.

After I told her I'd pay for the Pellican case containing the Ikelite housing, she then gave
me a pink "cabin baggage" tag for the carry on. No problems. Oddly enough, the PPT
check in agent didn't even weigh the carry on.

simply ripped off the pink tag, and then carried the bag up the stairs and
onboard without a hitch.

Here I had to check 4 bags (including the standard 22" carryon) for a total of US$140.00 round
trip, including a 5 Kilo discount for bringing SCUBA equipment (1 of the 2 big checked bags) and
a 30% overall discount for a round trip payment. Only my laptop was allowed as a carryon.

But nonetheless, I got to carry it all. I just had to pay for it.

I gather that's the objection (ie. paying extra)?

Greg Mossman...

Actually I don't mind paying extra if that's all that's involved. It's
already an expensive trip, so another couple hundred bucks isn't gonna make
a serious difference in the total cost. What I fear is the time when I go
to check in my overweight luggage and they refuse to take it, period. This
happened to me once on a Continental flight out of Quito on a 737 when I
barely exceeded the 70 lb limit on one bag, and my fears exponentially
increase as the size of the aircraft and the weight limits decrease.

mag3...

I weigh my bags before I go and pack accordingly. So far, I've been lucky. I also
pack a spare empty canvas gear bag in one of the checked bags in case they make me
"re-distribute" later. Haven't had to yet. Fortunately, the SCUBA equipment bag
(given my current configuration) is just under 50lbs so it can make the domestic trips.

We'll see how it goes next year when I have to take all I took to PPT this time to Palau
on CO.