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DIY Wine Caddy - Retrofit Checkin Luggage for Wine

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BMcKenney

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DIY Wine Caddy - Retrofit Checkin Luggage for Wine

by BMcKenney » Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:12 pm

I am looking for an affordable, dedicated checkin luggage option for wine. I know there are a few options out there based on Pelican cases and whatnot, but they typically start at $300 which is too much for my usage. I was thinking of getting a reasonable piece of mid-sized luggage with wheels and telescopic handle, typical soft-sided unit, and fitting in some sort of partitioning system or foam sleeves. Not sure if a partitioning or foam sleeve system is taking the DIY thing to the extreme and I'd be just as well off wrapping bottles in bubble wrap instead. Curious what peoples thoughts are.

Bryan
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Re: DIY Wine Caddy - Retrofit Checkin Luggage for Wine

by Ian Sutton » Fri Mar 14, 2008 6:01 pm

Bryan
I use bubble-wrap and it's worked well to date - and it doesn't add significantly to space used. It's certainly a flexible option.

One option is to get hold of the styrofoam inserts for a 6 bottle half-case and hence put it in the hold as a separate item of luggage (pro's: no ruined clothes if you have a bottle smash; con's may make an enticing opportunity for a light-fingered baggage clerk).

That's the easy bit - the hard bit is selecting just 3, 4, 5 or 6 bottles when you'd really want to bring that amount of cases back!

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Re: DIY Wine Caddy - Retrofit Checkin Luggage for Wine

by Dale Williams » Fri Mar 14, 2008 6:09 pm

I just stick a 6 bottle styro shipper inside a large duffel.
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Re: DIY Wine Caddy - Retrofit Checkin Luggage for Wine

by Jenise » Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:55 pm

Dale Williams wrote:I just stick a 6 bottle styro shipper inside a large duffel.


When we travel with wine, we use one of the case-size styro shippers even if it's only half full. My thinking goes that the large box is harder to toss around by baggage handlers--so the wine gets less shaken up in transit, and breakage is also less likely.
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
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Re: DIY Wine Caddy - Retrofit Checkin Luggage for Wine

by BMcKenney » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:44 pm

Dale Williams wrote:I just stick a 6 bottle styro shipper inside a large duffel.


Thanks for the replies. A simple, no-purchase-required, no-brainer would be a 12 bottle styro inside a duffel bag much like you suggested. I have a couple of bags that would take a 12 easy. But I'd like a roller with telescopic handle. I'm going to get a cheap dedicated rolling luggage that a styro 12 pack fits in and that way I can carry any number of bottles I want and it'll be a breeze to walk thru an airport and I won't have to worry about accidents in my normal luggage. I could also add bubble wrap. And it's the perfect disguise for a wine geek who wants to look normal in an airport! Now all I need is my work travel restriction lifted so I can go to the US and get some discounted Rhone.

Bryan
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Re: DIY Wine Caddy - Retrofit Checkin Luggage for Wine

by Robert Reynolds » Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:38 pm

Don't forget about that new $50 round-trip surcharge that at least 3, maybe 4, airlines have instituted for a second checked bag. I suppose you should factor that into the cost of the wine you carry back that way.
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Re: DIY Wine Caddy - Retrofit Checkin Luggage for Wine

by Paul Winalski » Sat Mar 15, 2008 12:51 am

Save yourself a bunch of grief. Don't try to ship the wine by checked airline baggage.

Instead, ship it to yourself using FedEx or DSL 2nd day air. No TSA hassles, and you can insure the shipment.

-Paul W.
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Re: DIY Wine Caddy - Retrofit Checkin Luggage for Wine

by Jenise » Sat Mar 15, 2008 3:22 pm

Paul Winalski wrote:Save yourself a bunch of grief. Don't try to ship the wine by checked airline baggage.

Instead, ship it to yourself using FedEx or DSL 2nd day air. No TSA hassles, and you can insure the shipment.

-Paul W.


True, but many states (like mine) do not allow individuals to ship alcohol in or out of the state. Only pre-approved businesses who pay the right taxes can.
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov

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