Thermie on an international flight??

[Daisy]

We have booked 3 weeks in NZ in September.  We will be doing the campervan/motorhome holiday.  DS is on a strict failsafe diet as well as being gluten and dairy free. This limits food options a lot, particularly in more remote areas and we will have to do lots of cooking for him still.   Question now is do we take Thermie with us?  We have to fly domestically to Melbourne first then an international flight to NZ.  Will he fit in as hand luggage (we are booked Jetstar to NZ)?  I have found some forums that aren't really definitive.  Anyone done this before?  Any tips?  Help!!!

[dede]

Wow Dasiy, what an exciting holiday you have organized. My DH was born in NZ and has relatives living there. We would love to fly over one day.
As for TM I don't know how you will go, but I hope you can take it with you. Will make it much easier for you all.

[goldfish]

Daisy - maybe contact the HO and ask their advice.  All I've heard is that you need to take the blades out and put them in your checked in luggage - all the other parts I'd definitely be carrying on!!  Good luck!  and would be very interested to hear how you get on!

[Halex]

Daisy the blades woukd have to be checked in, as they would be classes as a sharp object.

Holiday sounds fantastic.

H

[Merlin]

I have to say that after travelling to NZ last year and being Coeliac, I actually found NZ to be far more cogniscent than many other countries of the need for my special dietary requirements when eating out etc. Even the supermarkets  over there had a  lot more gluten free products than I see in Aus. Initially I was toying with the idea of bringing my TM but with all the other stuff we were taking ie ski gear, I couldn't justify the added hassle of  bringing it along and in the end I didn't need it anyway as I was extremely well catered for. I guess with the amount of international tourists and probably also related to the particular places we went to ie well known tourist spots such as  Queenstown, Wanaka etc, every restaurant seemed to be totally on the ball about the need for different dietary requirements. I was really pleasantly surprised and grateful for all of the special attention I received from wait staff about what was suitable for me to eat. I didn't feel like I missed out on anything at all, especially as the rest of my family is able to eat everything.

[Meagan]

A guest at a demo mentioned she had taken her TM to NZ for a campervaning holiday. I think it would be fine. Are there three of you? Dairy and gluten would be fine but I think fail safe as well would make it tricky. And since you are vaning it you can use powered sites or if free camping cook meals in advance when at powered sites.

[CreamPuff63]

 Question now is do we take Thermie with us?  We have to fly domestically to Melbourne first then an international flight to NZ.  Will he fit in as hand luggage

Ring up Jetstar and tell them about your situation, and find out from your consultant about the carry cases that you can buy and the weight. From what I understand the black ones are better quality wise than the green ones, but you need to double check.

[faffa_70]

Weight wise you should be pretty ok, Thermie himself only weighs 6kg. It is more the size of the carry bag that I would be concerned about.

I have/had a customer that flies regularly to and fro Hong Kong with her Thermie in a carry bag. She has had some explaining to do at customs each end but no real drama's that I know of.

I think CP's idea of ringing them and explaining the situation, tell them that in order for you to have this holiday safely you need to take Thermie!!!

Good luck .. I know the difference it makes to a holiday having the appropriate food ... especially for kids!

[Meagan]

I meant to say if there are three of you then you can have three pieces of hand luggage.

[obbie]

  Daisy have a great holiday.

Robyn

[mcmich]

Have a great holiday Daisy. There is a thread on the forum about this.
I'm sure JD will be able to point you in the right direction.
From memory I think it was check in your blades with your luggage and thermie can go as hand luggage.

[judydawn]

OK, here's a thread with some other links as well 

[Daisy]

Wow, thanks so much all for the advice, hints and general comments.  Merlin, we are spending lots of time in Queenstown so that is helpful about the food availability.  Issue really for DS7 is compounded by needing FS food.  There are a total of 7 in the party travelling - 2 campervans.  So, I think I can justify taking thermie along!  He has done a caravan road trip to the Gold Coast and return (from Tassie) and travelled really well in the black travel bag.  I will give Jetstar a ring and explain my plans .... will keep you posted on the outcome!