Baggage through checking experiment - clever or stupid?
Feb 20, 2015, 3:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 129
Baggage through checking experiment - clever or stupid?
This is my route home:
IAD - LHR - DUB
Then on a separate ticket
DUB - LHR - MAN
I know I can't do a bag checked all the way IAD - LHR - DUB - LHR - MAN because of LHR appearing twice.
I managed to persuade the staff at Dulles to do this with my bag:
IAD - LHR - MAN
It seemed a lot of hassle for them to be honest...and I'm not entirely confident it's going to work out.
I'll post the outcome, either way...
Nigel
IAD - LHR - DUB
Then on a separate ticket
DUB - LHR - MAN
I know I can't do a bag checked all the way IAD - LHR - DUB - LHR - MAN because of LHR appearing twice.
I managed to persuade the staff at Dulles to do this with my bag:
IAD - LHR - MAN
It seemed a lot of hassle for them to be honest...and I'm not entirely confident it's going to work out.
I'll post the outcome, either way...
Nigel
Feb 20, 2015, 4:25 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Programs: Hilton Gold, Priority Club Blue, SPG Gold, Sofitel Gold, FB Ivory, BA Blue
Posts: 8,479
Welcome to the strange world of the mileage/tier point run. When flying domestic First, in the US, to retain *A-G, I actively searched for two stop options.
Feb 20, 2015, 5:27 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, A3*Gold, AA Plat, HH Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,163
From what I understand the bag will not be on any flight without the OP. That would be a security issue. The OP is taking 2 sectors more than the bag. I see no problem and no more risk than any other transfer at LHR.
Feb 21, 2015, 12:49 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,775
There is a major security breach with the agent in IAD doing this, as well as issues around Heathrow not having sufficient space to store bags. If the handling agent in IAD gets to hear about this "experiment", which is probable once the bag appears in the "dump chute" with an alert "sectors different to passenger itinerary", the check in agent will likely lose his/her job. I hope the OP is happy about that!
Feb 21, 2015, 12:55 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Scotland
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, BD Blue (RIP)
Posts: 1,984
There is a major security breach with the agent in IAD doing this, as well as issues around Heathrow not having sufficient space to store bags. If the handling agent in IAD gets to hear about this "experiment", the check in agent will likely lose his/her job. I hope the OP is happy about that!
Feb 21, 2015, 1:00 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: BA (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 1,256
If such a draconian outcome happened, why would it be OP's fault? If it is such a breach of the rules it is up to the agent, not the passenger, to know that and to enforce them.
Feb 21, 2015, 1:05 am
#9
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,803
a) Build in an airport swap (in this case IAD-LHR/LCY-DUB), or
b) Build in plenty of time at end of the main ticket, in this case DUB, so the bags can be reclaimed, or
c) Travel Hand Baggage Only, which is easiest all round.
Feb 21, 2015, 1:15 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,775
I am afraid I cannot disclose the ins and outs in case it reveals too much to those with evil intentions. I rather suspect the OP has "bullied" or "wheedled" his way into getting the agent do do something potentially dangerous. I just bloody well wish you FT'ers would just accept it when an agent says they can't do something instead of always trying to argue the toss. The agent probably didn't know what he/she was doing breaks the rules, but lack of knowledge is no defence.
You'll just have to take my word for it that the check-in agent has done something extremely stupid.
You'll just have to take my word for it that the check-in agent has done something extremely stupid.
Feb 21, 2015, 1:25 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SIN 5 days out of 7
Programs: BD*G, A3*G, BA-S, Accor Gold, IHG Amb
Posts: 5,505
I would have thought in principle it would work as the agent probably used the IATA regulations to command the bags route even if it was contray to BAs own rules.
However, the only doubt I have is about customs. The bag won't clear customs in LHR on its first visit as you're in transit to another country. On the second visit you're coming from DUB; does this get treated to customs channels during transfer at LHR on the second visit or is the OP expected to clear the bag in arrival in MAN after thier domestic UK flight? I don't recall the prescence of such channels after my last domestic flight to MAN but they did used to be some.
However, the only doubt I have is about customs. The bag won't clear customs in LHR on its first visit as you're in transit to another country. On the second visit you're coming from DUB; does this get treated to customs channels during transfer at LHR on the second visit or is the OP expected to clear the bag in arrival in MAN after thier domestic UK flight? I don't recall the prescence of such channels after my last domestic flight to MAN but they did used to be some.
Last edited by jbfield; Feb 21, 2015 at 1:30 am
Feb 21, 2015, 1:30 am
#12
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
I am afraid I cannot disclose the ins and outs in case it reveals too much to those with evil intentions. I rather suspect the OP has "bullied" or "wheedled" his way into getting the agent do do something potentially dangerous. I just bloody well wish you FT'ers would just accept it when an agent says they can't do something instead of always trying to argue the toss. The agent probably didn't know what he/she was doing breaks the rules, but lack of knowledge is no defence.
You'll just have to take my word for it that the check-in agent has done something extremely stupid.
You'll just have to take my word for it that the check-in agent has done something extremely stupid.
In any case I don't see what the risk is, if the bag is security screened and the OP travels with the bag on each sector.
Feb 21, 2015, 1:34 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SW London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 246
I am afraid I cannot disclose the ins and outs in case it reveals too much to those with evil intentions. I rather suspect the OP has "bullied" or "wheedled" his way into getting the agent do do something potentially dangerous. I just bloody well wish you FT'ers would just accept it when an agent says they can't do something instead of always trying to argue the toss. The agent probably didn't know what he/she was doing breaks the rules, but lack of knowledge is no defence.
You'll just have to take my word for it that the check-in agent has done something extremely stupid.
You'll just have to take my word for it that the check-in agent has done something extremely stupid.
I'm also sensing you're quite enjoying the whole 'i know something you all don't', which is also the case but really there's no need to be rude
Feb 21, 2015, 1:38 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Lausanne Switzerland
Programs: BA Gold; Swiss Blue
Posts: 1,244
Quote
Originally Posted by bealine
I am afraid I cannot disclose the ins and outs in case it reveals too much to those with evil intentions. I rather suspect the OP has "bullied" or "wheedled" his way into getting the agent do do something potentially dangerous. I just bloody well wish you FT'ers would just accept it when an agent says they can't do something instead of always trying to argue the toss. The agent probably didn't know what he/she was doing breaks the rules, but lack of knowledge is no defence.
You'll just have to take my word for it that the check-in agent has done something extremely stupid.
I think you're being overly harsh to the OP. I don't doubt you're factually correct but branding FTers as bullies is a bit much.
I'm also sensing you're quite enjoying the whole 'i know something you all don't', which is also the case but really there's no need to be rude
Originally Posted by bealine
I am afraid I cannot disclose the ins and outs in case it reveals too much to those with evil intentions. I rather suspect the OP has "bullied" or "wheedled" his way into getting the agent do do something potentially dangerous. I just bloody well wish you FT'ers would just accept it when an agent says they can't do something instead of always trying to argue the toss. The agent probably didn't know what he/she was doing breaks the rules, but lack of knowledge is no defence.
You'll just have to take my word for it that the check-in agent has done something extremely stupid.
I think you're being overly harsh to the OP. I don't doubt you're factually correct but branding FTers as bullies is a bit much.
I'm also sensing you're quite enjoying the whole 'i know something you all don't', which is also the case but really there's no need to be rude
Last edited by SWISSBOBBY; Feb 21, 2015 at 2:10 am
Feb 21, 2015, 2:13 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,775
I think you're being overly harsh to the OP. I don't doubt you're factually correct but branding FTers as bullies is a bit much.
I'm also sensing you're quite enjoying the whole 'i know something you all don't', which is also the case but really there's no need to be rude
I'm also sensing you're quite enjoying the whole 'i know something you all don't', which is also the case but really there's no need to be rude
The moderators at FT had to delete the posts as it could have given the wrong people ideas and we're into similar territory now.
The more you work in this industry, the more you realise that many frequent travellers can be bullies and downright nasty to ground staff in the pursuit of getting rules bent or broken. Not all FT'ers are bullies, not all frequent flyers are bullies - I didn't say they were or brand them as such, for many are perfect gentlemen and ladies - otherwise BA staff would not waste their time with Flyertalk. If anyone took offence, then I am sorry.