Returning to Spain via Stansted was tortuous. The British Airport Authority is strictly enforcing the ‘one piece of hand luggage per person’ rule. This is leading to crazy situations.
- It allows the gatekeepers free rein to behave like assholes, yelling at passengers who’ve more than their single piece. I asked the person who accosted me whether I looked like I might be deaf. Blank stare. I then asked if I removed my laptop from its slip case, would I have one less piece of luggage? Yes, but then my transparent shopping bag with a couple of small boxes also counted as a bag – ergo – I had 3 pieces of hand luggage. OK – so if I dump the shopping bag and hold my wee packages one hand, the laptop in another and the rollalong through my teeth, then what? 4 pieces because I’ve got 2 packages. So then If I put the laptop bag into the shopping bag, now what? 2 pieces. Get the logic?
- The rule is enforced inconsistently and with no consideration of individual passenger need.
- It leads to more work. Excess baggage processors were working flat out with a crowd unanimous in their anger at the way the rule is being enforced.
- It leads to the airlines ripping off customers for ticket re-issue. I got stuffed £20:50 so I could carry my laptop inside my plastic shopping bag. I was not annoyed at RyanAir even though they often attract criticism. They were merely doing what BAA told them. The chap I saw was incredibly patient, even when his system fell over when I tried to pay in Sterling on a ticket purchased in Euros. I can only assume RyanAir dishes out Prozac to keep them chilled out.
OK – so there was a time when folk were abusing the system and increased security is necessary for all our safety. But regarding a small roll along suitcase and a bag of books as 2 pieces of hand luggage is ridiculous. What makes the system laughable is that once you get past security control, you can load up with as many bags as you can carry by shopping the airport mall.
I’m glad I arrived 2 hours early, even though I started with an electronic ticket. I made the plane with 5 minutes to spare.
Since the airlines don’t have clear guidance and few have direct links to the BAA site, here’s a link for email updates. Useful if you’re a frequent flyer. Useless when you’re faced with assholes.
And as a final comic interlude, there was total confusion as to whether folk carrying umbrellas needed to check them in…
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