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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be freaking out re: hand luggage and Ryanair

35 replies

vinegarpuss · 10/10/2011 13:26

I have measured my bag - fine (just)

DH bag is a clear 2cm over but he won't listen!!

I know he will create a fuss if they charge him £40 but he's adamant

OP posts:

squeakytoy · 10/10/2011 13:28

I have never seen them get out a tape measure (although it wouldnt surprise me)...

Is it a rigid material, or will it squish a bit if they make you put it into that metal measuring thingy??

eaglewings · 10/10/2011 13:29

Flying with them this summer they weighed all the bags but did not get everyone to put it in the measuring device.

They were very strict on the one bag policy more than anything else

Incroyable · 10/10/2011 13:29

Well, they don't always check every single case... but I wouldn't risk it for £40 each way!

Do you live close enough to the airport to go and check the case in their little metal luggage checkers?

eurochick · 10/10/2011 13:29

I've never seen them get the tape measure out but they often make everyone make sure their bag fits in the measuring cage.

mousyfledermaus · 10/10/2011 13:30

he might get away with it, but when we last travelled with ryanair they made everyone putting their luggage into the cage-thingy and anyone with too big a suitcase or bag had to check it. I'm talking milimetres here. also if someone had a newspaper or purse in one had they were made to put it into the hand luggage as well.
I won't risk it.

Original poster

vinegarpuss · 10/10/2011 13:33

thanks all, it will squish a little (if DH has anything to do with it, he'll probably sit on it!)

Not close enough to test it out tbh i'd rather nip over to Debenhams and buy a safe one in the sale as it's still cheaper than £40. Talk about stubborn

OP posts:

squeakytoy · 10/10/2011 13:33

Ryanair ARE utter twats... with a few others not far behind them lately.

At Arrecife airport recently, along with others, we weighed our cases on the check in belt which was unattended.... everyone was within the 20kg limit...

Clearly the bags were fattening up all by themselves, because when the desk opened (further down from the belt we had all be using to check.. ) everyone had suddenly gained an extra 2kg in their cases... luckily Monarch didnt make any fuss about the weight being slightly over, but it makes you wonder if they fix it so that you end up forking out more money..

Original poster

vinegarpuss · 10/10/2011 13:35

now i'm getting the scales out too!

OP posts:

mousyfledermaus · 10/10/2011 13:37

we have invested in a travel scale which has saved us much hassle...

charlearose · 10/10/2011 13:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mousyfledermaus · 10/10/2011 13:42

charlea ryanair makes it very clear that airside shopping needs to go into the handluggage. and often enforces this as well.

Original poster

vinegarpuss · 10/10/2011 13:54

found this - hopefully it will be in store -

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_36536+T40458_-1?breadcrumb=Home%7Etxttripp

OP posts:

WitchesBrewIsMyFriend · 10/10/2011 13:56

IF your bag doesnt fit in the measure thingy at the airport or if it is too heavy you will be charged and made to check it in.

And they DO check, they are twats very scrupulous about it. I have had my bag weighed 3 times before. They also make you put any airside shopping in the handluggage and woe betide you if it doesnt fit in - or if it takes you over your 10kg allowance.

PastGrace · 10/10/2011 13:57

Ryanair are generally horrible about excess charges, but if you get lucky with the check-in people then you can get away with loads. You might not be happy risking it, but I often find that if you carry your handluggage bag like it's light as a feather then they don't question you. It's the people lugging wheelie suitcases or with bulging holdalls they come down hard on.

My DP and I also managed to get our suitcase past them without paying excess charges even though we were 4kgs over - the girls were so busy chatting to each other they didn't even look .

VikingBlood · 10/10/2011 14:52

We're talking about an airline who are looking into charging for using the in flight loos. I'd fork out for a new case, and weigh everything before you leave, you can always lose a few kilos by wearing extra clothes on the flight (my bag was 2kg over once so I unpacked some clothes at the checkout, put them on and closed the case again, hey presto!).

sausagesandmarmelade · 10/10/2011 14:59

Ryan Air drive me crackers....but they are the only uk airline that go to certain destinations.

If you're taking one of those tiny suitcases be careful how much you put in them as they now weigh them all before you board the plane!

2rebecca · 10/10/2011 15:01

I use a small day rucksack for hand luggage, squashable and easy to carry. I don't carry that much hand luggage though. Some people just overpack.

WannaBeMarryPoppins · 10/10/2011 15:50

I am not sure about the size, but I wouldn't risk it.

Don't fill it up all the way weight wise either. I got a proper luggage scale, approved, tested and all, and ryanair seems to add at least a kilo at every air port. I even started using different scales. At one of the airports it was almost 2 kilo more than at home! So be really careful with that.

Original poster

vinegarpuss · 10/10/2011 15:56

how do they get away with it - surely there is some kind of 'weights and measures' calibration, seem to be a law unto themselves but as previous poster said unfortunately sometimes they are the only option.

OP posts:

Jins · 10/10/2011 16:05

The cages seem to change size with Ryanair as well. One of our friends checked her bag at the check in desk for size and weight but when she was ready to board they were making everyone put their cases in another cage. The bag wouldn't fit in that one. Same airport, same airline, same day

CailinBainne · 10/10/2011 16:14

frequently using Ryanair as I live in the West of Ireland so they have a monopoly, my top tip is this.

If you're travelling alone or just 2 of you and you're only on a short flight / not too bothered where you sit, get to the gate in good time then sit and wait, watching the queue having their bags checked and then be one of the last on the plane. Without fail, because they're on such a tight turnaround time they stop checking & charging at the end as it holds up departure time.

PastGrace · 10/10/2011 16:29

Jins there was a thing in the news a while back about budget airlines having different sized cages in different airports, so you thought you were ok flying out but fined flying back .

Original poster

vinegarpuss · 10/10/2011 16:44

Cailin

good tip - not fussed if we are seated apart, I hate the initial scrum so will try that www.mumsnet.com/te/4.gif

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Original poster

vinegarpuss · 10/10/2011 16:45

sorry i am RUBBISH with smileys, I was trying to WINK

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PigletJohn · 10/10/2011 16:54

I just came back on a charter, took care to get my carry-on within the weight and size, was very annoyed they didn't measure them and the overhead lockers were crammed with huge heavy wheelabouts.

I was looking forward to seeing the miscreants charged or their stuff going in the hold

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