To wonder if I can take a small case on National Express as hand luggage?

[RainbowBriteUk]

I'm travelling with National Express tomorrow and have a small case. I'm taking expensive items in it and don't want to leave it in the hold as it's often left open and unattended til the coach leaves which can be a good 20 minutes sometimes. Will I be able to take it on the actual coach with me?

A quick google tell me this:
www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/luggage-lost-property

Which has this:
You are entitled to one piece of soft hand luggage (max dimensions 45cm x 35cm x 20cm and max weight up to 10kg) Hand luggage must be placed under the seat in front of passengers or in an overhead locker.

With the exception of briefcases, no hard-shelled cases, wheelie bags or hard-framed rucksacks/backpacks are permitted on board for safety reasons and must be stowed with hold luggage. You will not incur an additional charge for this.

[quote 132orbust]A quick google tell me this:
www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/luggage-lost-property[/quote]
Thanks @123orbust. I may be doomed.

Can you take the items in a different sort of bag?

@Lochroy I may have to. It'll be a right pain in the arse!

Can you board the coach at the very last minute?

Or will it be making multiple stops, all of them involving an open hold for a while?

Hi @EileenGC, yes I could do. I may do that but don't want to have to sit next to anyone lol. I'm not the best traveller!

The problem with coach trips is that if you are last one on, you'll invariably end up sitting in the middle/towards the rear so you won't be able to be the first off at the next stop when they reopen the luggage compartments.

(Unless seats are allocated but it doesn't seem like that from your last post).

I'm intrigued as to what the items are. This has the makings of being this weeks mn does Agatha Christie post.

You can always check it in the hold bit and then get on the coach same time as the driver
Just get on as soon as you have checked in bag find a seat put your coat on the seat and then get back off the coach to keep an eye on your case until the coach leaves
I’ve done this loads of time as I hate sitting on coaches and want to move around as much as I can

Yes you can. I do anyway! Never asked never thought I had to

I'm the one with the big case then take a small case, big bag of food and large handbag to my seat.

Soft bags only, they are strict

Oh so I might get away with taking it all on. It's not a hard shelled case. It's fabric but on wheels. One of the IT Lite suitcases. Small and light.

@Lochroy

The problem with coach trips is that if you are last one on, you'll invariably end up sitting in the middle/towards the rear so you won't be able to be the first off at the next stop when they reopen the luggage compartments.

(Unless seats are allocated but it doesn't seem like that from your last post).

I'm intrigued as to what the items are. This has the makings of being this weeks mn does Agatha Christie post.

Ha ha ha. It's a mystery!!!

@Lochroy It's really nothing overly exciting. Just a few expensive bits of equipment that I'd be lost without.

For safety reasons you can’t take luggage with wheels on board. If it falls from the overhead it can cause injuries. ( i’ve seen some incident reports- ex staff 😕)
To err on the side of caution just use a different bag.

If it's a strength/mobility need to use the wheeled case.
Could you put your equipment in a soft bag in the wheelie then just put the wheelie into the hold empty and bring the soft bag onboard?