BLI-Flyer

Would that be my bad, or your bad?

brp

And don't be within the first few people at Flight Connections. They have more time to scrutinize things then. We got caught twice on the same trip to/from AMS. Transiting through LGW on the way out mrs. brp (bag maybe 1/2" too long as well) was forced to check. Of course, BA misplaced the bag until the night before we left.

On the way back, BAA tried this again going to T3. Said we had to go and check it in. So, cleared customs (got the Fasttrack immigration guy to let us go through when we told him the story). Simply walked to Fasttrack security and re-cleared in to T3. No checked bag. Not the most honest thing to do? Who gives a flying %$^# with these kinds of rules

Cheers.

brp

This level of inconsistency is also in keeping with the past and present situation, and also not new, unfortunately.

Cheers.

bernardd

Frankly you wouldn't like consistency - that would mean all airlines would enforce the rules (ie a guage) absolutely at all times.

JDiver

LHR Carry-on Hassles at BA T5 During Transfer From AA T3

has been merged into this consolidated thread dealing with T-3 to / from T-5 transfers for members' ease in finding the information.

/Moderator

pauleeepaul

Walk forcefully and with purpose, avoiding eye contact, with the ability to ignore hand gestures. Trying not to be the only people running the gauntlet at a time is good advice too.

Skedguy while i admire your tenacity the downside of bolting once stopped could be severe- think of the body cavity search you would get in the US.

The worst of it in being tagged is you have to clear immigration to the UK to check your bag, adding as much as an hour to the process, and quite possibly missing a connection.

brp

That's an excellent point. In an ideal world, it would be possible to know which bags will fit on which aircraft and decide accordingly. But, with the number of airlines and aircraft that transit LHR (or any airport, really) that is unrealistic. I do think a built-in leeway for premium cabins should be part of the rules though, with the understanding that there is simply more space per person, and these things will fit.

I think the annoying thing about the inconsistency is when one gets nicked while the next person through waltzes by with an even larger rollaboard. I guess I'm OK with the inconsistency since I generally know what to do to fall on the proper side of it most of the time.

(They gave us each a beer on a WN flight and even told us to keep our drink coupons, ostensibly due to the friendly banter during boarding )

Cheers.

bernardd

There's certainly an argument for consistency within each alliance if the airlines are promoting seamless transfers between partners.

Meantime, for those that care to check (I hadn't until just now!) the surprise is the BA rule at 50 dimensional inches is actually slight MORE generours than the AA rule at 45 dimensional inches. My annecdotal response is the AA limits are universally ignored, flouted, violated etc to the point of being meaningless, though I'm fed up with seeing people re-packing overstuffed suitcases in the aisles so they can be squeezed into the MD80 overheads, and of course waiting while they're wrenched out after landing. As we say in the Queens English, that's taking the piss, and there is a case for AA clamping down a little to expedite boarding.

brp

I use the eBags 21" Motherlode (I think it's called). It is always slim...seemingly no matter how much I put in. I think it may exceed some sizers (with wheels) by about 1/2 - 3/4". Yet it fits lengthwise in all bins that allow lengthwise rollaboards. No muss, no fuss on the in or out.

But I completely agree about the bags that practically require wrenching the door off the hinges to remove. That's abuse and should be more carefully scrutinized, IMO.

Cheers.

nbevan

The maximum size permitted by BAA and BA is the IATA recommendation:
So a good candidate for a standard.

cs19

Everyone knows the box is smaller than an actual bin, but is it correctly sized to the BA listed dimensions of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22ins x 18ins x 10ins)? If it's smaller than that... then that's garbage.

billgrates3

I wonder if the Queen would actually say that.... I know that the Prince would.

Artur

My personal take is, I never got a problem transferring from T5 to T3 with my slightly oversized, i.e. not fitting the steel cage at security in T3.

I got snagged a couple of times at T5. The ones to watch out for are what I call "Yellow shirts", they seem to have an almost sadistic enjoyment making you check the bag. Last time I went through, no "yellow shirts" present -maybe on a break- I breezed through.

The same goes for those prior to security if checking in LHR in T3, not transfer. I walked slowly towards and then usually when they get busy with some hapless pax I walk straight by without looking left and right.

It's kind of silly, but what else to do? I always have a little bag stowed away in case I have to check the bag to take essentials on board. They more one argues and get agitated they more they enjoy the process.

bernardd

You have to wonder about Lillybets sense of humour when she offers such gems as "1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an Annus Horribilis."

bernardd

There are a lot of parrallels with exceeding the speed limit on a Freeway.