Those of you who fly regularly may be familiar with this. I was reading an article on the ABTN commenting on the confusion over the size of hand luggage allowed on a flight. The problem, it notes, is that the Department for Transport sets a guide to security requirements. The problem being is that it is just a guide.
This has led to variations in hand luggage policies by airport and airline. For example most airports allow two bags through security. But at Liverpool and Luton airport you’re allowed only one. The size of hand luggage allowed can differ also with the Department for Transport setting a maximum size of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm per bag. Yet many airlines impose policies that are less generous on luggage size and to add to the confusion these policies are usually not the same between the carriers. The same applies to the weight of the bag with the Department of Transport suggesting that, if it can be lifted into the locker, then that’s ok. But I’m sure anyone who travels on regularly will know that many airlines are more restrictive on weight.
There are calls to make these policies more definitive to ensure consistency between airlines. But while this consistency is lacking be sure to check with your airline on any security and luggage restrictions before flying.
October 6th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Last week my wife was in the USA. She flew in to New York with BA and then after a business meeting attempted to fly on to another meeting with AA. Her hand luggage which met UK requirements was twice challenged by a lady official as she attempted to go through to catch her flight to Miami. Yet the first time she went back to the AA check-in desk and was told it was ok. It was then challenged again when she tried to go through to board and she went back to AA only to find the check-in closed. Finally in exasperation my wife went to the AA First Class check in area because she was on the point of missing her flight and demanded to be allowed to board. This fortunately had the desired effect – but what a way to treat people on business – or even a leisure customer for that matter. The lack of clarity and different standards applying only makes travellers lives that much more frustrating. For God’s sake please encourage the regulators to get their act together and standardise their policies so that such nonsense is not repeated.
October 10th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Thanks for sharing your experience Richard. It seems that there is increasing pressure to implement this consistency. Let’s hope it comes sooner rather than later!
Rob
February 12th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
The airline are consistantly moving the goal posts as reagrds cabin and hold baggage. Either way they’re making it hard for everyone to keep track of the carriers rules – which normally means a fine of some sort to the passenger.