Ryanair Cabin Baggage Restrictions: is this strictly enforced?

Carlow52

Got this email from them this am: am scheduled to fly with RA in a few days.

While the policy has been there for some time, is there any evidence of it now being strictly enforced: I have never seen anyone on a RA flight with just one bag. If you boarded near the end, overhead storage was often a problem.
Thanks

You are shortly booked to travel with Ryanair (your flight information is detailed below)

•PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY ONE ITEM OF CABIN BAGGAGE PER PASSENGER (excluding infants) WITH A MAXIMUM WEIGHT OF 10KG AND DIMENSIONS OF 55CM X 40CM X 20CM - http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/faqs.php?sect=bag&quest=cabinbaggageallowance

•IMPORTANT– YOUR HANDBAG, BRIEFCASE, LAPTOP, DUTY FREE PURCHASES ETC. MUST BE CARRIED WITHIN YOUR 1 PERMITTED PIECE OF CABIN BAGGAGE.

•We reserve the right to cancel your reservation without refund and to deny you boarding, if you arrive at the boarding gate with more than one item of cabin baggage or if the item exceeds the maximum permitted dimensions

lynchie

Saw them stopping women in edinburgh a few weeks back. They were told to put their handbag in their luggage as they were only allowed one piece of carry on baggage. They were told they were not getting on the plane with more than one piece.

Fratton Fred

I haven't been near Ryanair for about three weeks, but the last few flights i was on I looked at some people and just thought they were taking the piss!

people with two or three bags, with at least one that is well over the size restrictions are quite common, but I suppose if you do it, you run the risk of being stopped.

Curvy Vixen

It seems to be an airport thing rather than a Ryanair thing tbh.

I flew out form Dublin last Thurday with a handbag and a cabin bag no problem, but coming home the following day from Luton with exactly the same bags was stopped at the airport before the departure gates and told to put one inside the other.

I fly with RA a lot and only get this mail depending on where I am flying from/to.

spockety

It's like placing a bet.

You can go over your allowance, and there is a good chance you will 'get away with it'. You win the bet.

Or, you don't get away with it, and you lose the bet. People who lose these kind of bets at airports (i.e. didn't read the conditions of their flight, or willfully ignored them) tend to get very upset and have a stressful time of it, arguing with anyone who will listen. If you lose the bet, give up, there is no point in arguing with anyone about it, you will only stress yourself out for no reason, because nothing you say will change minds.

Your other option for a guaranteed less stressful journey are to stick rigidly to all the rules. Take one piece of baggage that complies exactly with the carrier's regulations, have less than 1 litre of liquids already in a see through bag no more than 20cm x 20cm large and in vials of no more than 100ml, as you queue for security take off your shoes (there's a very good chance they will ask you to do this, no point in tutting about it when they do) and your belt, put your phone and wallet inside your hand luggage, as well as any other change you have, and take your laptop out of your laptop bag. Etc.

Fratton Fred

spockety wrote: »

Your other option for a guaranteed less stressful journey are to stick rigidly to all the rules. Take one piece of baggage that complies exactly with the carrier's regulations, have less than 1 litre of liquids already in a see through bag no more than 20cm x 20cm large and in vials of no more than 100ml, as you queue for security take off your shoes (there's a very good chance they will ask you to do this, no point in tutting about it when they do) and your belt, put your phone and wallet inside your hand luggage, as well as any other change you have, and take your laptop out of your laptop bag. Etc.

exactly the reason why I now pay an extra €20 per return flight and fly with BMI to Heathrow.

Luton, Stansted and Gatwick have too many passengers who arrive at security and have no idea what to do. Heathrow they don't require you to take your laptop out either which is handy.

MOH

spockety wrote: »

as you queue for security take off your shoes (there's a very good chance they will ask you to do this, no point in tutting about it when they do) and your belt, put your phone and wallet inside your hand luggage, as well as any other change you have, and take your laptop out of your laptop bag. Etc.

The shoes thing is a joke. Only airport I ever see it done at these days is Dublin, and the policy seems to change every week.
I flew out last Saturday morning, was queuing at the security check, heard the security woman asking the guy at the top of the queue to take off his shoes, so everyone in front of me started to. Since I couldn't be bothered, I just moved to the next queue, where they weren't getting people to take off their shoes. Just shows how pointless it is.

On topic:
It really depends on the flight. On most flights I've been on, they haven't been that fussy, but on occasions I have seen people trying to cram everything into one bag.

Alun

... and there's the essence of the problem, i.e. every airport has it's own subtly different policies, rules and procedures. Combine that with the inconsistent policies of the airlines, and each journey becomes a lottery. I wouldn't mind if they could all get their act together and decide on common rules for everything including what is allowed as cabin baggage and what exactly the procedure is for security, but the current situation is a joke.

anotherlostie

I agree that the policy enforcement is a joke, and it's a pain in the ass when you are late onto the plane and have to search high and low for somewhere to stow your own (one) bag because people have brought on small suitcases with them that no way meet the limits.

Last weekend, I saw one woman boarding with two small cases, a laptop bag and a large handbag. Not a word was said. But coming back on Sunday evening (LHR) they were stopping people with oversized bags and putting them into cargo. Good enough for them!

If people want to bring so much luggage with them, then fly BMI, or pay the extra charge to check the baggage in. (And on this note, I'm surprised Ryanair/ Aer Lingus haven't started to implement this as a way to make a few more quid).

spockety

Alun wrote: »

... and there's the essence of the problem, i.e. every airport has it's own subtly different policies, rules and procedures. Combine that with the inconsistent policies of the airlines, and each journey becomes a lottery. I wouldn't mind if they could all get their act together and decide on common rules for everything including what is allowed as cabin baggage and what exactly the procedure is for security, but the current situation is a joke.

In fairness it is not that hard to find out what the policies are of the airline you're flying with, it is clear on their website, and in Ryanair and Aer Lingus' case they also are pretty explicit in their email confirmations.

It's also not hard to look up airport policies on the web.

Go to the airport knowing you comply with both for sure, and you will not find yourself the one getting stressed and arguing with airport staff.

BTW I agree with you that the policies are enforced inconsistently, but the only people who suffer from this inconsistency are the ones who don't comply with the rules.

steinbock

MOH wrote: »

The shoes thing is a joke. Only airport I ever see it done at these days is Dublin, and the policy seems to change every week.

Was on a couple of flights in the states recently and both airports required everyone to remove shoes.

Alun

spockety wrote: »

In fairness it is not that hard to find out what the policies are of the airline you're flying with, it is clear on their website, and in Ryanair and Aer Lingus' case they also are pretty explicit in their email confirmations.

It's also not hard to look up airport policies on the web.

Go to the airport knowing you comply with both for sure, and you will not find yourself the one getting stressed and arguing with airport staff.

BTW I agree with you that the policies are enforced inconsistently, but the only people who suffer from this inconsistency are the ones who don't comply with the rules.

Completely agree with you, but I still remember (and dream of) a time when having to research all the differing policies of every airline and airport you're going to use en-route to your destination, and trying to determine the lowest common denominator of baggage size and number of bags you're allowed to take through security or on the plane wasn't necessary.

If you think it's all fine and dandy then good for you, but I find it a royal pain in the arse especially on multi-leg journeys through airports and on airlines you're not familiar with.

Flying might have gotten much cheaper, but it sure as hell isn't getting any easier.

piskins72

I am flying with Ryanair next week to Bristol so will be looking out of curiousity to see if people will be stopped, when I was there last as far ( which was glasto weekend but I was over for different reasons) ppl in Dublin had lots more than the 1 bag rule, but on the return as far as I remember I did see the ground staff telling some people to put all their stuff in one bag but not many ... will post if I see it being enforced! I myself am only taking a laptop type bag and a camera which will not fit into the bag..

robinph

Bristol does seem to follow the one bag rule a bit closer than Dublin, although not quite as bad as Stanstead/ Luton. If one of your bags is a laptop bag then you tend to be OK with them though.

Our man in Havana

steinbock wrote: »

Was on a couple of flights in the states recently and both airports required everyone to remove shoes.

+1

The shoes thing is a TSA policy.

piskins72

robinph wrote: »

Bristol does seem to follow the one bag rule a bit closer than Dublin, although not quite as bad as Stanstead/ Luton. If one of your bags is a laptop bag then you tend to be OK with them though.

yeah first time bringing the laptop, but kinda sorta need it this time but wont have an extra handbag with me as its an Ikea laptop bag and has lots of pockets!! so I should be ok

robinph

It always helps if your taking two bags and one is a laptop bag that it actually looks like a laptop bag and not one that is supposedly in disguise as a backpack. I now carry the laptop bag with me as well, but it might not actually always have a laptop in it as the eeepc will fit in any spare spot in either bag or a big coat pocket.

piskins72

Carlow52 wrote: »

Got this email from them this am: am scheduled to fly with RA in a few days.

While the policy has been there for some time, is there any evidence of it now being strictly enforced: I have never seen anyone on a RA flight with just one bag. If you boarded near the end, overhead storage was often a problem.
Thanks

I have just got the same mail as well for a flight this week, I know I will be ok with bag I am taking, but has any body had experience of this with Birmingham or Stockholm, reason I am asking as my friend is coming to the UK for a week from there and flying into BHX and hasnt flown with them before I think and will have a fair bit of stuff with her, a carry on bag and a seperate bag for her camera/lenses etc

any info appreciated so I can let her know what to expect!

AFC_1903

One thing I find handy if you are taking hand and hold luggage to avoid fines for being over the weight for hold luggage is putting the heavy stuff into your hand luggage (as well as wearing some of them). I have never had my hand luggage weighed as it is generally just a backpack and therefore assumed to be relitively lightweight. The backpack may way a hell of a lot, but is never noticed as being heavy! Obviously some things you cannot do this with due to hand luggege contents restrictions (bottles of drink etc), but other items can be swapped in no bother!

Our man in Havana

It tends to be airline outsourcers and security bods that enforce these things to the letter of the law.

Faith

lynchie wrote: »

Saw them stopping women in edinburgh a few weeks back. They were told to put their handbag in their luggage as they were only allowed one piece of carry on baggage. They were told they were not getting on the plane with more than one piece.

Edinburgh have generally stopped enforcing the "one bag only" rule. I just flew Edinburgh to Shannon return with a very small suitcase that only exceeded the maximum height dimensions by a few cms, and a handbag, and not a word was said to me either way. I saw people with suitcases way larger than mine on the flight too with no hassle.

piskins72

Just back from long weekend in UK, No problems with Ryanair people having 2 bags boarding, lots of people had up to 4 bags between duty free stuff and bags and nothing said. First time ever in security also that I didnt have to remove shoes!!! it was really quiet there, no queues ( a first for me) .. Arrival in Bristol and out meeting my drive, checked bag collected within 10 mins .. you cant beat it!!! same with check in on return done and dusted within 10 mins!

Carlow52

As the one who started this thread, there is a sign in Dub airport saying that the laptop is allowed as a second bag ( or similar wording):eek:

Checked a bag in on Saturday: was 15.9 kg: got a verbal warning:

Got on nearly last on Tuesday and the o/head bins were full: my hand luggage went in the hold:eek:

piskins72

I must keep an eye out for that!!!

yeah that almost happened on the flight as well, one person had a bag which was way over the size for carry on and it almost wouldnt fit in the overhead bins, so they said if it didnt fit it would have to go in hold.. he managed to get in tho!

my friend flew from Sweden to Birmingham today and had to pay €160 in excess baggage!

dudara

In my experience it tends to be mainly English airports that enforce the one piece of luggage rule. It sucks for women with handbags.

CantGetNoSleep

AFC_1903 wrote: »

One thing I find handy if you are taking hand and hold luggage to avoid fines for being over the weight for hold luggage is putting the heavy stuff into your hand luggage (as well as wearing some of them). I have never had my hand luggage weighed as it is generally just a backpack and therefore assumed to be relitively lightweight. The backpack may way a hell of a lot, but is never noticed as being heavy! Obviously some things you cannot do this with due to hand luggege contents restrictions (bottles of drink etc), but other items can be swapped in no bother!

Yeah this usually works, but had my hand luggage weighed in Germany last week.

Another time the girl at the Ryanair check-in weighed my bag at the scales for carry on bags

conolan

Just got an email from Ryanair for flight. This is the first time they've placed major emphasis on cabin baggage. Do I suspect another revenue-raising ploy as alternative to fuel surcharge? See below:

Subject: Cabin Baggage Restrictions

•PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY ONE ITEM OF CABIN BAGGAGE PER PASSENGER (excluding infants) WITH A MAXIMUM WEIGHT OF 10KG AND DIMENSIONS OF 55CM X 40CM X 20CM

•IMPORTANT– YOUR HANDBAG, BRIEFCASE, LAPTOP, DUTY FREE PURCHASES ETC. MUST BE CARRIED WITHIN YOUR 1 PERMITTED PIECE OF CABIN BAGGAGE.

•We reserve the right to cancel your reservation without refund and to deny you boarding, if you arrive at the boarding gate with more than one item of cabin baggage or if the item exceeds the maximum permitted dimensions

P. Breathnach

I suspect that if every passenger worked effectively at avoiding the extra charges that can be avoided, Ryanair would not make a profit.

People should not buy into the suggestion that charging for checked baggage is designed as an incentive to travel with hand baggage only; it is a mechanism for generating revenue from passengers with a moderate amount of luggage. There appears to be an increasing trend for people to travel light, and I think Ryanair are moving to force more people to check baggage and contribute to Ryanair's bottom line. I predict increasingly rigorous enforcement.

By the way, there are a number of ways to construe the "excluding infants". Does it mean (a) that infants are not counted as hand baggage, (b) that infants do not have an entitlement to bring on cabin baggage, or (c) that the one-item limit does not apply to infants?

Dodge

Just on the one piece of hand luggage per passenger. I was on an internal US flight (Atlanta to Las vegas ) and they were very strict about it. The staff madea point of telling those in the waiting area that handbags, ffod, briefcases, shopping had to be in the one bag. I sawa woman with a carrier bag with a briefcase and a take away in it. LOL

ncmc

Has anyone ever tried to get on a Ryanair flight with a suit carrier? I know it obviously longer than permitted but it is a lot flatter, maybe one cancels out the other???:rolleyes:

What bugs me about Ryanair is, if you are travelling as a couple and you bring one item of checked luggage between you, you both have to check in at the airport (and pay for the privilage) ie, the person without the bag can't check in online. :mad:

I am finding more and more now with all Ryanairs extra surcharges, they are not really any cheaper than Air Lingus.

Dodge

ncmc wrote: »

What bugs me about Ryanair is, if you are travelling as a couple and you bring one item of checked luggage between you, you both have to check in at the airport (and pay for the privilage) ie, the person without the bag can't check in online. :mad:

Book the flights seperately. There's no advantage to booking them together as CC charges are per person per flight

ncmc

Dodge wrote: »

Book the flights seperately. There's no advantage to booking them together as CC charges are per person per flight

Cheers for that, thought the CC charge was per flight.

Dodge

Used to be that way alright.

You might even get a flight at the lower charge as a bonus