http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124579363535443757.html

in case you can't read it with subscription ---

plans for:
- no more checked bags at the counter, you bring them through the airport and drop them at the planeside (how does this work?)
- no more airport check-in
- in-flight gambling
- toilet fee still being explored
- fat pax fee idea dropped

This airline is craziness.

They've been doing the latter for several years and the former applies after October

As for checked luggage, I suspect it's something they haven't thought through - no airport is going to allow passengers to mill around on the tarmac trying to put their luggage in the hold or waiting to get it at the other end. It's certain to b*gg*r up their schedules

Of course they could just force everyone to drop their bags into a standard luggage container and then deliver that to the plane

I have seen this procedure many times while over in India. Internal flights often there see the passengers walk out to the tarmac beside the plane, point out their bags to an army of inspectors who open them, search them, and then either load them onto a baggage cart that takes them to the plane, or, if the plane is right there, load them directly on the plane.

This is a seething, hot, sweaty mass of barely-controlled chaos involving tens of security and baggage handlers, so I cannot see how Ryanair is going to perform this inexpensively in Europe.

For those who think this is all too crazy, Air NZ domestic hasn't gone quite as far but does have something similar. For online bookings you are checked in when you book. Turn up at airport and get baggage tag at kiosk (plus boarding pass if you didn't print it out at home). Self drop bags directly onto conveyor belt. The limited check in desks are for those who need help (eg have international connections).

Those without bags to check can simply turn up at the gate 10 minutes before departure.

Plenty of airports do allow bags to be checked at the steps of the aircraft. Typically on smaller aircraft where normal sized carryons do not fit. Depending on the airport there may or may not be a trolley to deposit bags in, or pax pass them directly to a ground crew member to load.

Regarding no more airport check-in, I suppose what they want is to have to employ 0 staff in the front area. And I guess that's possible, as in, if you didn't print out your boarding pass in advance, you're screwed. But why not, out of some measure of at least appearing to be helpful, have an automated kiosk in the check-in area? I mean, if they want to have a (tolerably) more positive image, and not just completely trying to screw the customer?

I find the whole idea of a GBP 5 "online check-in" fee ridiculous. If it's mandatory, it should be in the ticket cost.

And I bet that each of those bags has been through the HAND luggage security checks and so doesn't contain the wrong sort of liquids, sharp objects, guns & other items that are acceptable in checked luggage but not hand luggage.

It won't happen for one very simple reason - Ryanair turn around time is around 30 minutes, therefore they have to get everyone off the plane, have them queue up for their luggage on the tarmac and leave the tarmac BEFORE they allow the next group of passengers to start depositing their luggage all in 30 minutes, whilst the aircrew is also cleaning and checking the plane is OK for the next flight

Yes at some airports, no at others.

SK also has a system similar to what Kiwi Flyer mentioned upthread at some stations.

So how do those airports/ airlines stop people doing a switcheroo and sneaking a gun. knife or - gawd forbid a litre bottle of water - onto the aircraft.

I can't believe there are people that are willing to put up with this airline!

LAX

So long as they keep the monopoly on many smaller destinations and keep it "possible" (if you play the fees right) to have roundtrip holidays for under 50USD they'll keep those planes full.

Just a side note, if you want to read WSJ articles for free, take their headline and Google it. Then just click on the WSJ link and you'll see the whole article. It's WSJ's strategy to make their site search-friendly.

Yeah, makes me wonder what I pay the annual subscription for lately...

Ryanair has service to many Eastern European cities, for example, Kaunas, Lithuania, that formerly had no service at all. People there used to take 24 hour bus rides to get to Germany. As long as total prices are kept in check those residents will take anything Ryanair throws at them. I book many such tickets for my Lithuanian relatives and the prices are usually around 50-100 euros total (if booked far enough in advance), including all tacked on fees.

Correct, this would mess up the turnaround time which is actually 20 minutes for most innereuropean flights. Also, the loading bays at an aircraft are a "no-go" area for pax, only certified baggage handlers are allowed to load/unload luggage. If an pax would put his suitcase into a cargo bay himself he would create an "security breach".