Massive 'Check your carry-ons for free' signs at LHR
Dec 7, 2018, 10:40 am
#46
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: British Airways Gold, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 128
I have been taking full advantage of this since they started sending the pro active text messages - I have been filling my carry on sized bag with stuff you defiantly cannot take through security which is a major advantage.
Also they have never said anything to me about the weight and I’ve had some heavy carry on because I pack it now with full intention to check it in.
Also they have never said anything to me about the weight and I’ve had some heavy carry on because I pack it now with full intention to check it in.
Dec 7, 2018, 2:13 pm
#47
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: just above cargo
Posts: 2,072
Because it has a political subtext, an opportunity to express pedantry, and a chance for FTers to make it clear how much more geographically aware they are than the normal traveller. It is in other words the perfect FT comment 
Dec 7, 2018, 3:03 pm
#49
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol, UK
Programs: HH D, Rad VIP, Marriott G
Posts: 5,357
One can analyse these things too much though!
Safe travels.
Dec 10, 2018, 6:05 am
#50
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Essex, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club, AZ, VS, AA, UA
Posts: 602
I'm travelling later today and received a text; the wording was as mentioned above... "Your flight is busy today. Please check-in your hand baggage free of charge at Zone B..." which smacks of "tell" rather than "invite". I have to say, as I am in CE, I found that a little offensive. Don't want to get all DYKWIA but CE pax should never be asked to check their (within size) hand baggage. They should filter the texts better and not send to people travelling CE.
Dec 10, 2018, 9:22 am
#51
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,376
I'm travelling later today and received a text; the wording was as mentioned above... "Your flight is busy today. Please check-in your hand baggage free of charge at Zone B..." which smacks of "tell" rather than "invite". I have to say, as I am in CE, I found that a little offensive. Don't want to get all DYKWIA but CE pax should never be asked to check their (within size) hand baggage. They should filter the texts better and not send to people travelling CE.
An agent told me that even if you don’t get the text you could still check hand luggage in if on an HBO fare especially on domestic routes to avoid boarding delays. I’ve been reluctant to check this out with items that wouldn’t be allowed through as hand baggageie liquids.
Dec 10, 2018, 10:22 am
#52
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: 63,791
An agent told me that even if you don’t get the text you could still check hand luggage in if on an HBO fare especially on domestic routes to avoid boarding delays. I’ve been reluctant to check this out with items that wouldn’t be allowed through as hand baggageie liquids.
Dec 10, 2018, 10:41 am
#53
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSE
Programs: BA Silver, TK Elite, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 466
And that is exactly the point of the sign in post 1. Yes it definitely is available at LHR and LGW, and in T5 there is a special check-in section for it in B15. At outstations it is more YMMV unless the email has been sent (and that seems mainly to be some Italian and German outstations from what I can make out).
Dec 10, 2018, 10:54 am
#54
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Essex, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club, AZ, VS, AA, UA
Posts: 602
Dec 10, 2018, 11:01 am
#55
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Essex, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club, AZ, VS, AA, UA
Posts: 602
Data point. I am onboard BA884 to OTP, comfortably parked in CE. I boarded late ish and sure enough the overheads were full. I’ve stuffed my large carry on under the middle seat, but it’s clear that even in CE there’s not enough space for the bags. I suspect - but can’t confirm - that pax further back are stashing bags in the front row.
Meanwhile, boarding has taken forever - we’re already late - due to this route being particularly HBO-heavy and huge amounts of time being lost while the rest of the plane struggled to stash their gear. There is much gate-checking of bags going on, including bags being abandoned throughout the cabin - I’ve just had the CC doing the “is this anybody’s bag” walk through the cabin.
The current policy icy isn’t working and BA need to do something. I think a move towards limiting the HBO allowance - Ryanair style - may be needed. Or - abandoning HBO altogether at least on some routes. Whatever - I’m just sat here late and waiting for departure and my drinkies.
Meanwhile, boarding has taken forever - we’re already late - due to this route being particularly HBO-heavy and huge amounts of time being lost while the rest of the plane struggled to stash their gear. There is much gate-checking of bags going on, including bags being abandoned throughout the cabin - I’ve just had the CC doing the “is this anybody’s bag” walk through the cabin.
The current policy icy isn’t working and BA need to do something. I think a move towards limiting the HBO allowance - Ryanair style - may be needed. Or - abandoning HBO altogether at least on some routes. Whatever - I’m just sat here late and waiting for departure and my drinkies.
Dec 10, 2018, 1:22 pm
#56
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: AA L/T Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 401
I travel this route very regularly and the Agents are always doing it.
I was "told" to check my bag (which is within permitted sizes) last week. The Agent said (her words)..... "I am sorry but even CE and Gold don't get immunity"
It was just annoying as I was with my partner who was allowed through with his bag!
Dec 11, 2018, 1:44 am
#57
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
Programs: BA GGL / GFL, Mucci Diamond!, HH Diamond, Radisson Premium, IHG Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 5,893
Passenger on LHR-MAN this morning. Gate checked her bag, then Group 1 boarding started. I was right behind her when she ripped the tag off her bag on the air bridge and took it onboard with her - as brazen as you like.
Dec 11, 2018, 5:11 am
#58
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSE
Programs: BA Silver, TK Elite, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 466
I wonder if you could then claim that BA lost your luggage when it doesn't arrive at the other end?
Dec 11, 2018, 9:09 am
#59
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,588
Dec 11, 2018, 1:34 pm
#60
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Essex, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club, AZ, VS, AA, UA
Posts: 602
What the actual ****? My response to that would be “Fine. Check the bag - AFTER you’ve checked the bag of every passenger in Y”. This is utterly out of order. If you’ve paid to be in CE then you should under no circumstances ever be asked to gate check a compliant bag.