Originally Posted by
Jarvy
I'm still here and find myself agreeing with you Eastmids.
When you could checkin bags for free much less was carried in the cabin.
I have also noticed that if you turn up at the gate with a bag too big or there is no room left in the lockers the airline checks in your bag for free.
Is this fair as I have paid to check a bag in.
Oh dear off I go again.
Not always the case. If you're bag is too big and is caught out then some airlines charge more at the gate to check it in compared to actually paying for a hold bag. Mainly the LCC's do this (BE, LS, FR amoung others). If you turn up with a bag that's the right size and there is no room then they will check it for free.
I have seen full service carriers charge at the gate, mainly for someone who has checked in an extra bag already and then takes the mickey by bringing yet more excess baggage to the gate.
I would say that in the event of someone having extremely valuable or delicate cabin baggage which exceeds the allowance (in the case of your camera gear, EastMids) then the airline should not force that to be checked in. They should offer to tag the bag at the gate and place it in the hold and then deliver it directly to the aircraft door upon arrival. This could be pre-arranged when booking the flight and, if the airline is that way inclined, a small fee could be taken for this service, but not as much as checking a bag in.
Anyone who has oversized baggage taken off them at the gate is not given the instant delivery option, which would make it more worthwhile paying for and give people like yourself greater piece of mind as to the treatment of your equipment. If the airline cannot accommodate your bag due to a full cabin and you have stuck to all the regulations then the door pick up should be offered for free as there is no way to predict how full a cabin will get.
Of course If someone turns up with a suitcase the size of a small car, weighing 30Kg then they should check it in regardless of what's in it as that is just taking the p!ss!