Recently flew from Glasgow to Southampton, but flight was delayed several hours, then cancelled altogether. In order to get home, I had to accept an alternative flight to Birmingham and a bus from there to Southampton.
I had bought some duty free whisky for the first flight, but didn't know/twig that I really ought to have repacked it in my hold suitcase prior to checking in for the new flight. Not being a frequent flyer and and even less frequent duty-free buyer, I genuinely didn't know/realise and at no point did anyone suggest I ought to pack the stuff in my case.
After my case had been checked in, the flight staff said they didn't know what I ought to do with the whisky. I went back to the desk that had rearranged my flight to be told I'd either have to leave it all behind or check it in as excess baggage. This meant I had to go and buy a new case.
It cost me an extra £40 for excess fees and a further £55 [sic] for the cheapest case I could find that would be suitable. I met another passenger in the same situation who was told she'd have to leave it in left luggage [for £5 a day] and collect it on her return journey. I was en route home so this wasn't an option for me.
Surely this can't be right? I know [now!] I couldn't take it back through security as it was >100ml, but surely someone has a duty of care to just mention that repacking might be a good idea? I stood in a queue for 1.5 hours to get allocated to a new flight so it's not beyond staff to tell us all whilst we were waiting? Someone's making a mint out of unfortunate passengers who are already stressed about not getting home on time and/or don't fly often enough to know how to work the system.
Any advice / thoughts?