"Forced" to check hand-baggage
Feb 4, 2024, 3:57 am
#61
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,145
I was going to say emphatically "no" because that's not what IDB is designed to cover. But then I looked at the wording again and actually while I am still saying "no", I can see an argument, even if it seems unlikely to work. Since there is a solution to avoiding IDB, as opposed to the airline giving no option at all, then I think it's a passenger's choice to be offloaded. But there have been CJEU judgements that have taken IDB well beyond what airlines regard as IDB. There is separate Montréal protection if BA losses, delays or damages the checked item, but not for hand luggage.
I have to say about this topic is that it always seems to reflect the issue of "me" rather than "them". By that I mean either BA gets criticism for taking bags off people, or it gets criticism that bags are not be taking off people. Or criticism of the last minute scramble to rearrange bags. Seemingly every person in this forum has totally compliant bags - well no, I know that's not true, sentence ends here. What I can say is that I've travelled a fair bit and in 48 years of solo travel I have only once been told to check in my bag, and that was on a busy Mount Cook / Air New Zealand ATR. I don't use bags with wheels. It may happen if you have a lot of junk, but mostly it does not.
I have to say about this topic is that it always seems to reflect the issue of "me" rather than "them". By that I mean either BA gets criticism for taking bags off people, or it gets criticism that bags are not be taking off people. Or criticism of the last minute scramble to rearrange bags. Seemingly every person in this forum has totally compliant bags - well no, I know that's not true, sentence ends here. What I can say is that I've travelled a fair bit and in 48 years of solo travel I have only once been told to check in my bag, and that was on a busy Mount Cook / Air New Zealand ATR. I don't use bags with wheels. It may happen if you have a lot of junk, but mostly it does not.
That being said, if the GA was saying "Fine, put it in the sizer and if it fits you're good" that'd be different. And of course, if there was a situation of the bag containing (say) medical stuff that couldn't really be gone without if the bag went astray and the agent was still digging in their heels then that might be its own complication.
If BA offered a checked luggage guarantee that bags will arrive within 20 minute of landing, would this make people more comfortable to check bags?
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...nute-guarantee
part of the issue for me is, Espically at LHR, I could be waiting for hours for my bag to arrive
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...nute-guarantee
part of the issue for me is, Espically at LHR, I could be waiting for hours for my bag to arrive
I would humbly suggest that the issue is consistency (which is a repetitive theme throughout BA's operations). Either do it properly, or don't do it at all.
One of the reasons that people push their luck with carry-on is that the last 19 times they got away with it. When BA pounces, on the twentieth occasion, whatever the right and wrong of it, the person is largely aggrieved because of the inconsistency.
Rather like the whole boarding experience, what rules are applied, and to whom, appears to be down to the staff on the day.
One of the reasons that people push their luck with carry-on is that the last 19 times they got away with it. When BA pounces, on the twentieth occasion, whatever the right and wrong of it, the person is largely aggrieved because of the inconsistency.
Rather like the whole boarding experience, what rules are applied, and to whom, appears to be down to the staff on the day.
Feb 4, 2024, 5:15 am
#62
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 584
BA should police HBO better as it appears to be an untapped market for them to potentially make more money. If people are abusing oversized baggage as HBO, they should simply make them pay a surcharge at both check in and at the gate if they have lied at check-in and booking, with a higher penalty being at the gate as they have had the chance to review the terms and condition both at booking & check-in.
I am fortunate as I never need more than a standard size rucksack with me onboard. As it will almost always have my laptop/tablet and always medication so it can never be checked. Whilst it can fit the seat in front I would still utilize the overhead bins for extra leg comfort.
I am fortunate as I never need more than a standard size rucksack with me onboard. As it will almost always have my laptop/tablet and always medication so it can never be checked. Whilst it can fit the seat in front I would still utilize the overhead bins for extra leg comfort.
Feb 4, 2024, 5:23 am
#63
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rhineland-Palatinate
Programs: *A Gold (A3), HHonor Gold
Posts: 5,731
I was going to say emphatically "no" because that's not what IDB is designed to cover. But then I looked at the wording again and actually while I am still saying "no", I can see an argument, even if it seems unlikely to work. Since there is a solution to avoiding IDB, as opposed to the airline giving no option at all, then I think it's a passenger's choice to be offloaded. But there have been CJEU judgements that have taken IDB well beyond what airlines regard as IDB. There is separate Montréal protection if BA losses, delays or damages the checked item, but not for hand luggage.
I have to say about this topic is that it always seems to reflect the issue of "me" rather than "them". By that I mean either BA gets criticism for taking bags off people, or it gets criticism that bags are not be taking off people. Or criticism of the last minute scramble to rearrange bags. Seemingly every person in this forum has totally compliant bags - well no, I know that's not true, sentence ends here. What I can say is that I've travelled a fair bit and in 48 years of solo travel I have only once been told to check in my bag, and that was on a busy Mount Cook / Air New Zealand ATR. I don't use bags with wheels. It may happen if you have a lot of junk, but mostly it does not.
I have to say about this topic is that it always seems to reflect the issue of "me" rather than "them". By that I mean either BA gets criticism for taking bags off people, or it gets criticism that bags are not be taking off people. Or criticism of the last minute scramble to rearrange bags. Seemingly every person in this forum has totally compliant bags - well no, I know that's not true, sentence ends here. What I can say is that I've travelled a fair bit and in 48 years of solo travel I have only once been told to check in my bag, and that was on a busy Mount Cook / Air New Zealand ATR. I don't use bags with wheels. It may happen if you have a lot of junk, but mostly it does not.
I tend to agree that in general, agents try to do the right thing and complaints are coming from people actually having more than a strictly enforced rule would allow them.
Feb 4, 2024, 5:27 am
#64
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,344
Surely the whole point of group boarding is to ensure that those in groups 0-3 have every chance of getting their (compliant) bags on board. And yes, that’s a full size roller plus a personal item. The point of saying that only the personal item is guaranteed is that if lockers are full towards the end of boarding then those in groups 4+ are likely to have larger items checked. If BA starts insisting that their higher paying / more regular punters have to check their cabin bags then it really defeats the object of offering / advertising priority boarding to those people. In a world where everyone has to check cabin bags, boarding last is the logical option.
Feb 4, 2024, 8:02 am
#65
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 389
I guess that's the thing. There are several reasons people fly HBO
1) Because they are price sensitive and want a discounted fare, but can take what they need in HB
2) Because they don't want to risk checking bag due to risk of loss
3) Because they don't want to wait for their checked bag to arrive
Multiple combinations of the above.
If it is ONLY for reason number 1, there's probably not a lot of disappointment in being asked to check their bag. I think that BA probably believe that the price point is the main reason people go HBO, but I don't think that it is.
BA have a generous hand baggage allowance, especially with the extra "hand" bag, so I'd imagine that it's only people going on a week-long holiday, or who need to carry bulky sports/music/work equipment who need to take baggage on short-haul. This is a good differentiator between BA and the so-called Lo-Cos.
I can see why this causes issues on certain flights. I just wish they would be clearer and more consistent in their approach when they want some of it to get checked-in. LCY allowed those checking at the gate to board first- what is the point in that!? Some did volunteer though. Maybe some additional Avios or even TPs for those who have volunteered (or been forced) to check their HB wouldn't go amiss. Or maybe a complaint would achieve the same effect!
1) Because they are price sensitive and want a discounted fare, but can take what they need in HB
2) Because they don't want to risk checking bag due to risk of loss
3) Because they don't want to wait for their checked bag to arrive
Multiple combinations of the above.
If it is ONLY for reason number 1, there's probably not a lot of disappointment in being asked to check their bag. I think that BA probably believe that the price point is the main reason people go HBO, but I don't think that it is.
BA have a generous hand baggage allowance, especially with the extra "hand" bag, so I'd imagine that it's only people going on a week-long holiday, or who need to carry bulky sports/music/work equipment who need to take baggage on short-haul. This is a good differentiator between BA and the so-called Lo-Cos.
I can see why this causes issues on certain flights. I just wish they would be clearer and more consistent in their approach when they want some of it to get checked-in. LCY allowed those checking at the gate to board first- what is the point in that!? Some did volunteer though. Maybe some additional Avios or even TPs for those who have volunteered (or been forced) to check their HB wouldn't go amiss. Or maybe a complaint would achieve the same effect!
Feb 4, 2024, 8:07 am
#66
Join Date: May 2009
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,748
But, seriously, I don’t know why you’d limit yourself. Just take a case and check it in.
Feb 4, 2024, 8:23 am
#67
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,344
Because it’s not necessary for pretty much any vacation or work trip, with the exception of those where you might need specialist equipment / clothing such as skiing. Adding a bag easily adds an extra 30mins at each end of your journey - likely more - and all for the sake of bringing stuff with you that you probably won’t use. Not to mention added hassle of getting to / from the airport with a larger (heavier?) bag.
Feb 4, 2024, 9:15 am
#68
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,005
I recently spent 5 days in Svalbard, in temperatures of -25C, and managed to keep my luggage below SAS's weight limit of 8kg, including my laptop.
Feb 4, 2024, 9:43 am
#69
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 389
Feb 4, 2024, 10:46 am
#72
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,249
Feb 4, 2024, 11:41 am
#74
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Lisboa
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https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2...us-a320-while/British Airways Captain accidentally deployed an emergency evacuation slide on an Airbus A320 at Heathrow Airport on Saturday after a baggage issue meant that the cabin door had to be reopened after the slide was already armed.
Feb 4, 2024, 11:46 am
#75
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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Location: Leeds, UK
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https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2...us-a320-while/British Airways Captain accidentally deployed an emergency evacuation slide on an Airbus A320 at Heathrow Airport on Saturday after a baggage issue meant that the cabin door had to be reopened after the slide was already armed.