How did you transport the package for your POE

[S-C 21]

Hello all. I have what is probably a strange question. How did you all transport the massive white envelope you receive and need to show to immigration on your POE? (Note: I'm a K-1, not sure if its the same for everyone). The envelope is huge and I don't want to risk ripping it if I fold it. However it's so massive it won't fit in my laptop bag, and may possibly not fit in my carry on luggage either. This is a real issue, because holding the envelope may become troublesome for an 8 hour flight.

All suggestions welcome!

[usuk2015 16]

Honestly, I have never seen anyone ask this question. I don't believe it's posed problems for others.

Not to be rude, but how hard could it be to hand carry an approx 8oz envelope?

Aside, maybe fold it in half?

So long as the envelope doesn't appear to be tampered with, you'll be fine.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

Honestly, I have never seen anyone ask this question. I don't believe it's posed problems for others.

Not to be rude, but how hard could it be to hand carry an approx 8oz envelope?

Aside, maybe fold it in half?

So long as the envelope doesn't appear to be tampered with, you'll be fine.

The amount of papers I saw in my caseload, I doubt my envelope will fold in half. That said, it was all A4 paper, so if the envelope is also A4, it should fit in my handbag no problem. I hope it won't be as massive as OP's envelope sounds or I won't know where to put it either.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I am having trouble visualizing "massive". Can you quantify that by measuring it?

You must have a very small carryon bag.

[landr 126]

I was lucky that my file was light and thin (less than half an inch). The plastic outer envelope was about an inch or two wider/longer than the internal case file, so I folded both edges of the plastic and slipped it into my laptop rucksack, my only carry-on. For reference, the laptop rucksack is large enough to fit a 17 inch laptop. For my carry-on/laptop rucksack, I prioritised vital documents, electronics and valuables, e.g., jewellery. Everything else went into checked baggage (large suitcase and a second rucksack).

Unless you're flying first class and have more flexibility with your baggage allowance, then you're going to have to make room in your carry-on. There's no other way of doing it if you don't want to have the file loose in the cabin - which is likely to increase the chances of you forgetting about it and leaving it on the plane.

[Wiggly123 1]

Hey,

I worried about this too. I ended up just buying a hand luggage bag (on sale for 20 quid) that it fit into. It just about fits in the net zip up part of the bag which held it pretty snug and flat.

Here's the URL to the one I bought,

http://www.surfdome.com/surfdome_luggage_-_surfdome_flight_deck_hand_luggage_-_seaspray-155473

i hope this helps. : )

[US/UKHubbyUKWife 1]

Tote bag.

[rhirhi 35]

The envelope that all the papers were in was bigger than A4. I tapped the envelope on a table to get all the papers neatly into one corner of the envelope, then folded over the surplus envelope paper so that it was now an an A4 envelope. It was then able to fit into my handbag. I just unfolded it whilst I was waiting in the immigration line and handed it over. I had no problems

[Pheebs1201 269]

Remember you can (usually) have one bag that goes in the overhead storage and another which will fit under the seat in front of you (in addition to checked bags) so if you were only going to take one small carry on perhaps consider taking another to pop up in the overhead storage. This can be as big as a small suitcase so I am sure you will find something to suit your needs. Good luck!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

When we fly from England, I have a roomy carry-on piece of luggage. Then you get one "personal item"---handbag, laptop, camera bag, etc. for under the seat. I use a backpack for my personal item and put my handbag inside it with plenty of room left for a lot of other stuff like a large envelope, small laptop, camera, jewelry roll, English cheddar, Crunchie Bars....

[Ketsuban 1,034]

I always somehow end up in the last boarding group and people boarding with me find they have to check their hand luggage at the gate. I think I'll just smush it into my handbag and hope for the best.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

Be careful about putting it loose in the overhead cabin, I arrived at Dublin after my first flight from the westcountry to find there had been water in there and it had got damp! Imagine my mini heart attack when it was stuck to the locker. Realise now that folding would have been much better but it was all OK in the end!

Edited November 22, 2014 by Hotter Otter

[Ketsuban 1,034]

What I ended up doing was putting it in a supermarket carrier bag, tying that in a double knot, then putting that inside another carrier bag and tying that shut. It added some protection from my various cables and gadgets taking up all the other space in my bag.

[S-C 21]

Don't worry. It's all good. I didn't realise folding it was alright hahaha