to think than Ryanair could at least make up their bloody minds?

[holmessweetholmes]

I am flying out of Stansted tomorrow morning on a week's trip I've been looking forward to for over a year. There is a baggage handlers' strike. Since the strike was announced, the website has said reassuringly that all flights will go ahead as normal. Now it says they 'may' have to restrict passengers to hand luggage only. I am at the thought of having to pack a week's stuff (including wedding outfit, clothes etc.) into handluggage, but I shall be bloody furious if I get there and they are accepting checked-in luggage after all. Wwyd?

[PandaWatch]

YABU to expect RA to give any consideration to its passengers!

I would maybe call them tomorrow morning to see what they are saying then.

[OldGreyWiffleTest]

Of course you'll get it into hand luggage! I have a small suitcase that is classed as 'hand luggage' and I can get into it everything I need for a week's holiday abroad.

Unless you are taking the Crown Jewels and and 60 pairs of shoes you should be fine.

I wouldn't even contemplating taking a suitcase if you know there is a baggage handlers strike that day - that way does lie disaster quite frankly!

[CailinDana]

I was travelling during a baggage handler's strike before and they just made us carry all our luggage to the plane ourselves. So effectively they did restrict us to hand luggage, but all of our luggage was hand luggage IYSWIM. I don't know what the situation would be nowadays with you not being allowed to carry liquids etc. I mean if they did say "handluggage only" when you get to the airport, what are you supposed to do with your bags??

[holmessweetholmes]

Yes, PandaWatch, I guess I'll call them. I wonder if their lines are open 24hrs. I have to leave at 2a.m. for the airport... I also wonder if the other airlines flying out of Stansted are being similarly rubbish, or if it's just Ryanair. I'm hoping that they are only saying that on their website to cover themselves in case they get overloaded because of being understaffed.

[PandaWatch]

Double check with them that they are not going to charge any extra fees because of the strike for checking luggage. I really wouldn't put it passed them!

[holmessweetholmes]

Exactly, CailinDana - plus we have booked parking where we get shuttled to departures, so it might not be easy to put a suitcase back in the car etc. OldGreyWiffleTest - seriously? Ryanair say that hand luggage has to be 55x40x20 cm. Doesn't sound very big to me!

[PandaWatch]

I struggle to pack for an overnight stay in a carry on!

[maybenow]

i wouldn't trust them with checked in baggage if there's going to be a strike, it probably won't make it to your destination. far better to be prepared with handluggage only.

[holmessweetholmes]

Argh! This is such a pain. I was so looking forward to it - a whole week away with a friend (minus dh and dc!) My first proper solo trip away since dd (7) was born. I had bought some new clothes etc. and now may not be able to take many with me . I know I'm still lucky to be going at all, but why did the strike have to be this weekend? Grr!

[maybenow]

if there's shopping at your destination then plan to buy something there as you'll be fine to bring back checked baggage

[holmessweetholmes]

Now there's the silver lining I've been looking for, maybenow! Do you think Ryanair will pick up the shopping bill?

[PandaWatch]

Just wear all the clothes that won't fit into the carry on!

[holmessweetholmes]

Hahaha! Then I'll take up 2 seats! Well, thank you for cheering me up a bit anyway !

[HexagonalQueenOfTheSummer]

What do they expect you to do with toiletries if you can only take hand luggage?

[LAlady]

Buy your toiletries airside once you've gone through passport control and security.

[trixie123]

how about taking 3 maxi dresses that can roll up pretty small and won't suffer too much - much easier than a formal wedding outfit but dressed up perfectly ok for a wedding

[RunAwayHome]

don't forget ryanair has smaller carry-on sizes that other airlines, particular depth (only 20cm, I think). Mostly they won't check, but sometimes they do, and it's really hard to find a bag that is only 20cm deep, but yet big enough in the other directions to get a decent amount of stuff in. Easy Jet is better, as are proper airlines.

Also they weigh it, and there's a 10kg maximum.

I've found stansted worse than some others for checking hand luggage, right as you are going to the gates (Ryan air gates are in a separate area to the others, and they check as you are going in to that area, if they're going to check. Sometimes also in the queue at the actual gate).

[Gingefringe]

Agree with run that Ryanair are very strict with hand luggage sizes and you must comply with their rules. You are restricted with toiletries at security gate but can buy stuff at the airport shop once you get through security - but please bear in mind that any toiletries you buy must be packed into your hand luggage (i.e. not carried through in a separate carrier bag). I've fallen foul of Ryanair many times!

[limitedperiodonly]

One day RyanAir will reveal it was a mass social experiment into how much misery people will put up with for a cheap deal.