The new BiTB dodge - gatechecking and carrying on
#78
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Germany
Programs: LH FTL, BA Bronze
Posts: 829
Ryanair are number 1 on my aviation hate list but you've got to give them credit for effectively enforcing cabin baggage limits. On all of my five recent flights out of Stansted two baggage handlers were guarding the aircraft steps, taking wheelie bags off non-priority customers. As a result there was enough overhead space for all items on board.
#79
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,382
Ryanair are number 1 on my aviation hate list but you've got to give them credit for effectively enforcing cabin baggage limits. On all of my five recent flights out of Stansted two baggage handlers were guarding the aircraft steps, taking wheelie bags off non-priority customers. As a result there was enough overhead space for all items on board.
You wont (hopefully !) blame me for having a wry smile on reading a post which begins by referencing the airline I hate more than any other in the world ..... and then swiftly continues along the lines of ........ now let me tell you about my last five flights with them
#80
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,345
In my latest flight from LHR (LHR-MAD, IB flight but obviously BA gate agents at LHR T5), they were just forcing all the people who boarded first to check their bags, except for those in group 1. I was in group 2, but luckily I didn't have a wheelie but the seemingly invisible Skypak bag, so I was spared. I must say it made for a lot of very angry passengers when they boarded and saw first that the plane was empty and then that the last people to board were allowed to carry as much as they wanted. Of course, a lot of Group 2 passengers just let the agents tag their bags and then brought them into the plane anyway.
I must say they were successful: boarding was finalised and the doors closed 12 min ahead of the scheduled departure, but in the end we still pushed back 9 min late.
I must say they were successful: boarding was finalised and the doors closed 12 min ahead of the scheduled departure, but in the end we still pushed back 9 min late.
#81
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: 63,470
#82
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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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..
#83
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,710
Well I guess they could make the sign a bit bigger? Or perhaps add flashing lights? There is a well known feature of air travel that seems to mush the brains of intelligent, rational, thoughtful people temporarily, and I'm not sure I can quite understand what it is.
#84
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,382
Are we sure that these signs are in such clear evidence at every gate / bridge, c-w-s ?
Cannot recall seeing one at my gate (A21) last week - but then I was probably not paying much attention, tbh.
Cannot recall seeing one at my gate (A21) last week - but then I was probably not paying much attention, tbh.
#85
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Posts: 63,470
Um, that is gate A21! Yes, this is what is in all the gates in A, B and C.
#86
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,382
Is there someone from BA attending to the bags as they are left? I'll be honest in saying that I am not sure I'd want to just leave my bag there with no staff member around. Maybe I am being unreasonable but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that with the thought that something might happen to it.
#87
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,382
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
Well I guess they could make the sign a bit bigger? Or perhaps add flashing lights? There is a well known feature of air travel that seems to mush the brains of intelligent, rational, thoughtful people temporarily, and I'm not sure I can quite understand what it is.
#89
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: Mucci de l'Arbitrage
Posts: 927
Well I guess they could make the sign a bit bigger? Or perhaps add flashing lights? There is a well known feature of air travel that seems to mush the brains of intelligent, rational, thoughtful people temporarily, and I'm not sure I can quite understand what it is.
#90
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
Well I guess they could make the sign a bit bigger? Or perhaps add flashing lights? There is a well known feature of air travel that seems to mush the brains of intelligent, rational, thoughtful people temporarily, and I'm not sure I can quite understand what it is.
Knowing that such customers would be coming down the jetty first surely BA have a staffer stood there to intercept and collect the bags?
If yes, why are they getting past and into the cabin?
If no, I dont see it as a surprise that people are not just leaving their bags unattended. Not exactly the smartest thing to do really. You could flash lights and play the national anthem but I wouldn't be doing it.
Bit of a thin argument if I may say so, sounds to me like the only people with brains turned to mush are the people at BA who design such daft processes.