Questions About Baggage

[Wyler]

I am flying to Oman later in the year from Newcastle. Last time we got the BA Red Eye from Newc to LHR and then transferred to Terminal 4 for the International leg. However, the times for the early morning flight out of Newc have changed this year, leaving little time to transfer, and so we are flying to Heathrow the night before and will stay in a Hotel.
Questions: Can we book the baggage straight through from Newc to Muscat, with it being held overnight at LHR, and will we be able to check in for the International flight at Newc as well, as per last year? This would minimise the hassle the next morning.
We are on an through ticket with BA and this flight combination is one of their suggested booking options.
Thanks.

[Beriltheperil]

My suggestion would be to keep your bags with you in Transit. Take them to the hotel and then drop them off at the 'Fast' Bag drop (Loose term there) the day you travel to Oman.
This will reduce the chances of loosing your bags by 50%, ie arriving in T1 to transfer to T4 via the transfer system they have and then the belt system in T4.
Having flown from t4 on many occasions since the August security alert, viewing the vast amount of baggage heading down the belts it's no wonder the whole mechanics of it brakes down. 20 years ago it would appear not to have been built to withstand so much volume.
Good Luck and take a spare pair of undies in your handbaggage.:{