Australian JETs 2012

[Takoyaki]

I think it costs money to join their frequent flyer club, so I'd perhaps check with the embassy to see if you're flying Qantas still before doing so, but it's definitely cheaper to join the club than it is to pay excess baggage on the day! crazy rates! >_<

I would figure that the flying Qantas wouldn't change. As Australian JET's all fly together to Japan on the same flight it will generally be Sydney to Tokyo which is a Qantas route, flights tend to need to be direct if possible. So flying other companies that transit through other places is unlikely.

I used a shipping company to send over my winter clothes and things, because the cost of a second suitcase at that weight was going to be close to $800, and that would have been with pre-purchasing the extra baggage. Sending the box ended up being around $230 from memory.

Im leaving with early departure at the end of the month from melbourne and i have just received my flight details from the travel agent that handles the JET stuff
But yeah im flying Melb-Syd Syd-Narita with Qantas so im guessing the regular departure will be the same

[DjinnWired]

If you're thinking about driving in Japan, and might possibly think of staying here longer than a year, then it might be a good idea to start planning for when your IDP runs out. Alternatively, you can just be cool and get a Japanese license straight away and not even bother with an IDP!

To facilitate this, you will need the following documentation if you (most likely) get ppls who like documents:
- A valid driving license which you have had for at least 3 months in Australia BEFORE departure.
- A statement which has your when your license was issued. This is NOT on my Victorian license, and so if this is the case with other states, you will need to get a statement from your state licensing centre which states this. This should be a simple matter of walking into one of their offices with ur license (and maybe some other ID), and asking for this and paying them monies. For Victorians, you will probably need a "Full Licence History Search" from VicRoads.
- Passport with all relevant stamps. Because many airports in Australia no longer stamp your passport at immigration on departure/arrival, IF you have been out of the country, you will need to make sure that you have an ENTRY stamp for when you came back (an exit stamp from other countries won't cut it). Also make sure you ask immigration to stamp your passport on EXIT (this MAY be optional as you will have "stamp" from Japanese immigration). Otherwise, you'll have to go and send a form http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1359.pdf to the immigration office with attached documentation and wait for it to come back to you.

In my prefecture passports can't be used. We have to bring documentation to prove we were in Australia (either a record issued by the consulate or bank record/power bills/a lease agreement). Major pain in the posterior if you do what I did and only bother getting your license changed over years after you come. Because, you know, I totally brought and kept all my old bills from Australia. Still, we have it better than the Americans for once so whoohoo!
Also, if your license doesn't specify manual you will only be given an automatic license here.

[btlef0]

I think it costs money to join their frequent flyer club, so I'd perhaps check with the embassy to see if you're flying Qantas still before doing so, but it's definitely cheaper to join the club than it is to pay excess baggage on the day! crazy rates! >_<

I would figure that the flying Qantas wouldn't change. As Australian JET's all fly together to Japan on the same flight it will generally be Sydney to Tokyo which is a Qantas route, flights tend to need to be direct if possible. So flying other companies that transit through other places is unlikely.

I used a shipping company to send over my winter clothes and things, because the cost of a second suitcase at that weight was going to be close to $800, and that would have been with pre-purchasing the extra baggage. Sending the box ended up being around $230 from memory.

Chris, I'm just wondering whether it's possible to upgrade the ticket they give you to premium economy? Would mean 2 suitcases can then be taken, and footing that extra charge myself could be cheaper than international shipping.

Also had a look at Qantas' Additional Baggage Charge (pre-purchased) (http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airline ... additional). Seems you can purchase an extra (up to 32kg) piece of luggage for $90...so that may also be an option...though it's only possible 7 days before you travel >.<

[EricaHartmann]

If i recall correctly, you are not allowed to purchase extra luggage allowance.

Also, it is really expensive to pay for overweight bags on the day. For Perth it was $35 per kilo. I believe only 2 people did not pay for over weight luggage, one of them being me so be careful with it. One tip is to overload your carry on luggage since no one ever checks that.

Well someone did get checked but that was at check in and she just ignored her and walked onto the plane anyway. Just as long as it isn't extreme, you can easily fit an extra 3-4 kilos of stuff in carry on.

[DjinnWired]

I read recently that Qantas is moving to a single-checked-bag only policy, might be worth confirming that before you pan your packing. When I came over I only brought one suitcase (which was shipped from Narita) and fitted everything I needed for TO in my cabin bag + handbag. I recommend doing that anyway, since the rooms at TO are pretty crowded. We had a double room with three people and their luggage, so having a small bag was a bonus for my room mates as well.

[btlef0]

I read recently that Qantas is moving to a single-checked-bag only policy, might be worth confirming that before you pan your packing. When I came over I only brought one suitcase (which was shipped from Narita) and fitted everything I needed for TO in my cabin bag + handbag. I recommend doing that anyway, since the rooms at TO are pretty crowded. We had a double room with three people and their luggage, so having a small bag was a bonus for my room mates as well.

This seems to be the new policy (from 2nd May 2012 onwards): http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airline ... /global/en

Also in the fine print at the bottom: "Customers with bags exceeding their checked baggage allowance (except for travel from Japan) can pre-purchase additional baggage allowance at discounted rates online at qantas.com before travel and Qantas Frequent Flyers can pay using points."

*Just highlighted the from Japan, as it doesn't say 'to' Japan

[Takoyaki]

Im leaving at the end of the month with Qantas, unfortunately that policy is 'to' and 'from' Japan

[Patryn]

yeah, you can't purchase additional luggage space beforehand, so you pay on the day. I found that I didn't really have that much stuff to send, and that sending only a few kilos would cost about the same as paying extra luggage space at check-in (even if it is super-dooper expensive).

Regarding licenses: yay for having it better than the US ppls for once! hahaha. Also, if they do let you use your passport and it's really messy with a bunch of stamps in it, then it might be a good idea to get that entry/exit document from the consulate as well (they might be lazy and just reject it coz they cbb). I haven't heard anything about bank/utility statements being used (I still have some bills being sent to "me" back in AU now! hahaha) but I guess ESID between prefectures too.

[R0ninX3ph]

yeah, you can't purchase additional luggage space beforehand, so you pay on the day. I found that I didn't really have that much stuff to send, and that sending only a few kilos would cost about the same as paying extra luggage space at check-in (even if it is super-dooper expensive).

Even having said that, it seems they have revised their charges for extra baggage. Even paying on the day the maximum you would pay for the Sydney to Narita leg would be $170 (International - excluding New Zealand, New Caledonia & Papua New Guinea $120 per extra piece $50 heavy charge for each piece weighing over 23kg#) thats up to 32kgs in an extra case. Domestic Charges to Sydney will apply if you aren't departing from Sydney, and that is around $50, $30 for the extra piece and $20 for the "heavy charge". So, all in all $220 from anywhere in Aus for up to 32kgs. I doubt anyone could find a shipping company that can match that.

You 2012 JETs are all Lucky ducks indeed. *shakes grizzled old wrinkly hand whilst complaining about kids on his lawn*

[Luthien]

Even having said that, it seems they have revised their charges for extra baggage. Even paying on the day the maximum you would pay for the Sydney to Narita leg would be $170 (International - excluding New Zealand, New Caledonia & Papua New Guinea $120 per extra piece $50 heavy charge for each piece weighing over 23kg#) thats up to 32kgs in an extra case. Domestic Charges to Sydney will apply if you aren't departing from Sydney, and that is around $50, $30 for the extra piece and $20 for the "heavy charge". So, all in all $220 from anywhere in Aus for up to 32kgs. I doubt anyone could find a shipping company that can match that.

Well, I might just be able to do that....or find something in that ballpark at any rate I came over last year, and I used a company called CubeIt http://www.cubeit.com.au/cubeit/

There prices are very very reasonable, plus they pick up from your door in Oz and deliver to your door in Japan. They have a couple of different shipping options, from suitcases, to boxes. The boxes and packing tape is free. There is support in English and Japanese, and I had a great experience in dealing with these guys. You do have to complete paperwork, including a listing of each item you are sending which is a PITA and you need to show the guys at the baggage check your paperwork, but for me, the benefit of not having to worry about extra baggage on the flight and on arrival was worth it. (as was the fact that the delivery guys had to carry my 25 kilo box up to my third floor apartment).

And congrats to everyone who got shortlisted, and hope to maybe see some of you in Saitama!

[melvincent]

Luthien, how long did Cubeit take to deliver to you in Japan?

Edit: I see it says 45-60 days on the site...Was this the case for you?

[R0ninX3ph]

Well, I might just be able to do that....or find something in that ballpark at any rate I came over last year, and I used a company called CubeIt http://www.cubeit.com.au/cubeit/
*SNIP*

Gotta admit, I forgot about cubeit. I didn't use it as it seemed a right PITA to use it from Adelaide, which is where I came from. Their suitcase special is pretty good, would be $200 for a 30kg case.

[Patryn]

There are a few different options. I've heard cubeit was a good experience, but it wasn't what i needed.

Anyway, I have survived perfectly fine with my 32kg bag and carry-on. I can only buy pants and shorts in Japan (my shoulders are too broad and I'm also a bit too fat. xD ).
Not the most fashionable, but i'm a teacher, so I reckon it's ok. hahaha.

It is worth noting that there is a nice delivery service at the airport that you are strongly encouraged to use by the JETs there handling everything. The bill comes about 2-3months later and is really quite cheap (mine was about 1600yen from Tokyo to Shiga). It's also very simple seeing as you pretty much just have to attach the tag that you get in your departure pack to your luggage, and hand it over to the ppls there. So if the major issue you have is having to carry it all, don't worry about it.

Also, if you're planning on sending, make sure that you won't actually have to collect it at the port and that they'll deliver it to your apartment!!! I'm pretty sure AusPost and Cubeit offer door to door service, but not sure about the others!

[Takoyaki]

There are a few different options. I've heard cubeit was a good experience, but it wasn't what i needed.

Anyway, I have survived perfectly fine with my 32kg bag and carry-on. I can only buy pants and shorts in Japan (my shoulders are too broad and I'm also a bit too fat. xD ).
Not the most fashionable, but i'm a teacher, so I reckon it's ok. hahaha.

It is worth noting that there is a nice delivery service at the airport that you are strongly encouraged to use by the JETs there handling everything. The bill comes about 2-3months later and is really quite cheap (mine was about 1600yen from Tokyo to Shiga). It's also very simple seeing as you pretty much just have to attach the tag that you get in your departure pack to your luggage, and hand it over to the ppls there. So if the major issue you have is having to carry it all, don't worry about it.

Also, if you're planning on sending, make sure that you won't actually have to collect it at the port and that they'll deliver it to your apartment!!! I'm pretty sure AusPost and Cubeit offer door to door service, but not sure about the others!

thankyou this will be very helpfull

[Luthien]

Luthien, how long did Cubeit take to deliver to you in Japan?

Edit: I see it says 45-60 days on the site...Was this the case for you?

They delivered it two days after I arrived! Actually I don't recall that being on the site last year, as thst would have given me pause... But.seeing it was mainly winter clothes and books I sent over that wound still have been ok. They were quite helpful for me as they picked up my box from my rental house on the last day I was there ... Which was three days before I left. So all up they looked after my box for a week or so, which was one less thing for me to worry about which was great as u finished working full time on the Wednesday, cleared my house out by the Saturday...flew out on the tuesday...not recommended. Try giving yourself at least a week off before you fly out..