Silly LHR security question
 

Hi

Apologies for the silly question. Does the UK rule about only 1 carry-on allow a coat to be carried and not forced inside the bag for security screening? I assume yes since if it is wet or snowy putting a wet coat inside a bag will make the other contents wet. Then again, we are talking about security.

I've been through LHR since the 1 bag policy was implemented, but this time I will be travelling somewhere very cold thus needing a decent coat. I'd rather not have to save some space in my carry-on just to take the dangerous coat through security.

Thanks.

I would hope it would be permissable, but as you say, logic doesn't necessarity apply! If it counted as a second article, couldn't you wear the coat until you're through security?

I've carried a coat on my person or in my hand along with my rollerboard in the other hand (as applicable), and they've not made an issue of it at LHR during my trips. I just put a coat in its own bin after putting my rollerboard into the X-ray machine.

If a coat was being ported in it's own bag, even an open shopping bag, I can see some overzealous agent making a stink of it. That said, I've put a coat, carried in hand or on self, into a collapsible bag -- plastic, nylon or otherwise -- at the security checkpoints at LHR and not yet had anyone say anything against it, even when it's obvious that I have a rollerboard, including a laptop bag stuffed into the rollerboard partially hanging out.

What they say above.

'Silly LHR security question'? No, the question is not silly, just the first three words. :(

Thanks. I'm trying to make carry-on only work since I have a sequence of 6 connecting flights before/after LHR incl some short connections - ie asking for trouble with checked bags.

I have carried a coat with pockets stuffed full of things in order to make my laptop fit in my rollaboard (and keep the roll-abaord under VS silly weight limits).

Never had a problem.

Does the 1 carryon rule apply if you're only in transit (VS to VS) at LHR?

Yes. Since passing through security. Security turns away people with 2 carry-ons (or 1 + personal item).

I actually bought a new coat with three zippered pockets so I could store more stuff in them safely when I go through LHR security. It also has a liner that comes out and a hood that detaches so works from about -10C (with hood and liner) to over 20C as a raincoat.

Once I'm through security, I pull out a cloth bag and put my coat into it and anything else I don't need at my seat on the plane. That goes into the overhead bin and my carry-on bag at my feet. Security only cares if your stuff will fit into one bag when you are in the lineup. Once you are through, they don't care how many bags you put things in.

As said earlier, yes. And it can get ugly there because of this so-called "security" measure.

Jawohl!!! This stupid rule almost bit me in the butt last September. It was just after the liquid nonsense started. I was flying from JFK-BRU (via LHR) on BA. On transfer, BAA told me at T4 that my carry on bag that was fine in NY had to be checked (or I could throw it out :td: :td: :td: ).

I had to immigrate, go to a check in counter and check my carry on, and then beg and plead for a fast track sticker so I might have a chance at making my connecting flight to BRU. I just made it, and then (surprise) BAA at Heathrow lost BOTH my bags. What a load of crap...

It took 1 1/2 days to finally be reunited with my luggage. Stupid, stupid rule...

Ouch...that is stupid! Got to rethink my plans now...

You can carry it (wear it up until the screening area then remove it). I usually stick all my pocket stuff in the coat pockets for putting through the X-ray, though you're not strictly supposed to do that and LHR are notoriously picky...

Neil

I've always done it and never had a problem with it from them. I think it depends on the volume of the items you're shoving in pockets. Winter weight coats typically have whatever crap I happen to have been carrying in the queue .

When solo this has included:
40Gb mp3 player (several years old, not tiny)
Paperback book
Wallet (stuffed full of UK + foreign currency small bills for arrival)
Travel documents
Two phones
Some sort of bottled drink

Never had any complaints but since the recent restrictions I've always flown with company so I've not tried my hand at hand-luggage in a jacket travelling.

The 1 carry-on rule at LHR is silly. Note: it's only if you TRANSFER or LEAVE LHR.

You can fly INTO LHR with 2. You just can't leave with them. BA denied my second carryon on LHR-CDG but was most happy to welcome it on my return flight the next day.

Asses. Clearly a rule made up by people who have never travelled in their life.

Coats don't count. You can have as many as you want.

Which would indicate that there is a market for carryons that look like coats ;).