HBO pax break the overhead locker
#63
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 152
I stopped checking my bag in when I discovered that BA's "Priority Luggage" tag was meaningless... Implement a real priority bag handling policy, and group 1's would be more likely to check their bag(s) in (with the added benefits of liquids/aerosols etc).
#64
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: BA Gold/Marriott Gold/HH Diamond/IC Plat Amba
Posts: 5,982
The lack of priority baggage handling has always been a legitimate complaint and I wish BA could figure it out. That being said as someone who over the previous 15 years never checked a bag on BA I have in the last 12 months been checking in my 20" carry on all the time on shorthaul. With the overheads just being rammed and seemingly no matter how early you board the lockers over Row 1 being filled I just said to hell with stressing out about it. I have found especially flying into T5 most of the time the bags are just coming onto the belt as I get down to the baggage hall anyway. Sure there is the chance that the bag could go missing but I've found it quite liberating not dragging the bag around to save at most 10 minutes. So now I'm back to sitting in Row 1 all the time and boarding at my leisure without worrying about where the bag is going to go. I think because so few people are checking bags now (as can be seen by only a few people standing at the belt) it's cut down on the waiting time for the bag as well. I still carry on my bag on longhaul flights and also if I sense LHR is going to go into one of it's meltdowns I'll avoid checking it but overall something I used to take all steps to avoid doing is working out quite well. I never check my bag to YYZ but that disaster is a YYZ thing for all airlines not just BA.
#65
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 239
#66
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 753
#67
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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As I group 1 boarder I was recently forced to gate check my bag as it was ‘too big for this type of a/c’ (A32N). Group 4s and 5s later boarded with bags at least the same size as mine. The bag in question had also been used on both days prior to this incident, and for 2 subsequent flights since with no issues. Seems that there’s no consistency in enforcing the rules.
AFAIK there aren't different size limits stated for different aircraft types. You should complain to BA if your was a legal sized bag.
#68
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,882
#69
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,338
There is also a massive lack of empathy from some who have a sense of entitlement. Really, on very busy flights, the overhead bin should be for larger bags. But you still see people taking up the space with their coat and a small bag just because they think its their right. If there was a greater sense of collective goodwill (and there are many reasons why people chose not to check a bag), then I suspect there would be less pain.
#70
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Lincolnshire, UK
Programs: BA GGL - maybe only briefly!
Posts: 1,375
Surprised to see BA actively checking all cabin bags fitted the cage at the gate last week at LGW although it did look like some big bags got through. Same problem with inappropriate small bags in the overheads, and there is no legroom excuse in Club as there is space under the centre seat. BA don't help however, as all of the lockers above row 1, and into row 2, appeared to be full of galley equipment, as well as the usual demo kit - so the very seats that have to stow their baggage overhead had no space to do so.
#72
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,008
Personally i think BA should restrict this to one bag and one bag only - if thats a trolley bag, fine...but you then cant have a back pack and a handbag and a bag full of duty free....it ALL has to fit in ONE bag (of appropriate & approved size)
#74
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,126
I guess what you could do is to only take a trolley bag on board. Then there is no question of having to put your second, smaller bag under the seat in front of you.
#75
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
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Originally Posted by vintagepilot
BA don't help however, as all of the lockers above row 1, and into row 2, appeared to be full of galley equipment, as well as the usual demo kit - so the very seats that have to stow their baggage overhead had no space to do so.