The new BiTB dodge - gatechecking and carrying on
May 28, 2018, 10:14 am
#61
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,061
How does billing work for checked baggage? I assume that HAL/other airport charge per item, I would be surprised if the baggage handlers count them manually, so could it be that the charge is linked to how many baggage tags are printed and this being the case then it would be expensive for BA having tags printed which are not used.
May 28, 2018, 10:29 am
#62
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
There's a pretty obvious answer to these hand-baggage woes... positive labelling.
In order to bring a piece into the cabin, it must have a label. No label: seized at the door and gate-checked.
In order to go in the overhead that label must be, say, green - any other colour goes under the seat in front until after take-off.
Properly enforced*, this would solve a variety of current issues.
I really should sell high-priced consultancy to BA
* I am well aware that my argument fails on this particular enforcement point
In order to bring a piece into the cabin, it must have a label. No label: seized at the door and gate-checked.
In order to go in the overhead that label must be, say, green - any other colour goes under the seat in front until after take-off.
Properly enforced*, this would solve a variety of current issues.
I really should sell high-priced consultancy to BA
* I am well aware that my argument fails on this particular enforcement point
May 28, 2018, 11:17 am
#64
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Australia
Programs: QF LTS, Marriott LTP, ALL GOLD
Posts: 2,440
Noticed this a couple of times now. Passengers with high group numbers accepting the gate check option, having their bags tagged, getting early boarding, and then instead of leaving them at the gate, carrying them on. I was in 1C on Tuesday at Heathrow watching quite a stream of them going past.
Neat trick really, but I was wondering if mismatch between checked bags and hold contents would cause a flashing red light and klaxon somewhere. Seems not.
Neat trick really, but I was wondering if mismatch between checked bags and hold contents would cause a flashing red light and klaxon somewhere. Seems not.
May 28, 2018, 11:55 am
#65
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,061
Are you confusing BA for Ryanair? On BA, if a bag is gate-checked then a computerised baggage receipt is printed as normal and listed against the customer's flight record - usually the BP will be scanned to link them. Only the tags carried on board the aircraft to be used as a final resort by crew are manually written.
May 29, 2018, 5:31 am
#66
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: 5,908
This morning there were at least 2 pax who had gate-checked who got onto the aircraft, with their gate-checked bags, looking somewhat bemused.
They were clearly not trying to play the system, and had expected their bags to be taken from them at some point in the process - I heard them explaining to the CC. By this stage they were at Row 9 and the crew asked them just to take their bags and stow them in the overheads as carry-on. There is definitely a missing link or two in this process..
They were clearly not trying to play the system, and had expected their bags to be taken from them at some point in the process - I heard them explaining to the CC. By this stage they were at Row 9 and the crew asked them just to take their bags and stow them in the overheads as carry-on. There is definitely a missing link or two in this process..
May 29, 2018, 5:39 am
#67
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
This morning there were at least 2 pax who had gate-checked who got onto the aircraft, with their gate-checked bags, looking somewhat bemused.
They were clearly not trying to play the system, and had expected their bags to be taken from them at some point in the process - I heard them explaining to the CC. By this stage they were at Row 9 and the crew asked them just to take their bags and stow them in the overheads as carry-on. There is definitely a missing link or two in this process..
They were clearly not trying to play the system, and had expected their bags to be taken from them at some point in the process - I heard them explaining to the CC. By this stage they were at Row 9 and the crew asked them just to take their bags and stow them in the overheads as carry-on. There is definitely a missing link or two in this process..
May 29, 2018, 5:54 am
#69
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,265
I have also seen this happen, but I think it's easy for frequent flyers to assume the worst / this is intended maliciously when it fact I imagine a lot of the time the problem is it's very unclear to someone who doesn't fly often what they're actually meant to do with the tagged bag once allowed onto the jet bridge.
I'm sure there are at least a few passengers trying to game the system here, but for example on the average BA shorthaul flight you will get a steady stream of passengers stopping to looking closely at the numbers above the seats of row 1 / 2 / 3 trying to work out if that is where their seat is with their boarding pass in hand that clearly says 21D. Pretty sure they aren't going to know what to do with the gate-checked suitcase. Almost by definition those who choose to trade their luggage for earlier boarding are unlikely to have status / fly frequently.
I'm sure there are at least a few passengers trying to game the system here, but for example on the average BA shorthaul flight you will get a steady stream of passengers stopping to looking closely at the numbers above the seats of row 1 / 2 / 3 trying to work out if that is where their seat is with their boarding pass in hand that clearly says 21D. Pretty sure they aren't going to know what to do with the gate-checked suitcase. Almost by definition those who choose to trade their luggage for earlier boarding are unlikely to have status / fly frequently.
May 29, 2018, 5:59 am
#70
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Lemonia. Best Greek ever.
Posts: 2,274
Er, Lost - in - translation....., I am one of those who has no idea which row I should be looking for on BA short haul flights......I look, and look, and look again. My theory is that it comes from too much long haul J flying, when the seat row numbers on different planes and airlines are deliberately set to confuse folk like me.
May 29, 2018, 6:15 am
#71
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bridport, Dorset
Programs: Mucci, BA Bronze, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,130
May 29, 2018, 6:34 am
#72
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: London
Programs: BA silver, VS, Jet, Carlson gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 614
You shouldn't feel bad at all! You aren't 'sneaking' her, it is official BA policy that passengers travelling together can board with the highest status passenger in their group.
May 31, 2018, 12:41 am
#73
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,634
May 31, 2018, 1:11 am
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,076
May 31, 2018, 1:17 am
#75
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 311
That rips my knitting. If you're in CE then you should be able to board last if you want but have somewhere to stow your bag. It just leads to the "better get on first" mentality.