45x35x16 - What a ridiculous set of measurements!

[DespairingTraveller]

Originally Posted by radeng

Despairing,
You can throw your keys, change etc in the tray - or at least, they let me.
Not trusting airlines to deliver baggage, that bag (I travel a lot) has a spare shirt, socks, underwear and a razor.......

And Avman, I think the UK has already become a third world country, with third world bureaucracy. The only thing not obviously present is third world corruption.

Thanks, radeng, that helps. I usually have all the extras as well, but I'm just going to have to stink this time! Photos or personal hygiene, no contest.

I think we'd be better off if we were a third world country in some ways. We've got the worst of all worlds now - pointless bureaucracy and no way of oiling your path around it.....

I know this is preaching to the choir, but if this situation doesn't improve, the airline business is likely going to hurt badly. To be honest, if my trip wasn't already bought and paid for, I wouldn't be travelling. And I'm very dubious about any future pleasure trips. I just don't want the hassle.

And I'm not Johnny-stay-at-home, who doesn't like flying. I've travelled extensively for pleasure and business over the years, and hold a PPL. I like being in aircraft! I'm just sick of the (UK) airport experience.

[1DC]

Mrs 1DC is sure she heard someone say on a news programme that the old baggage rules would be reintroduced in the next two weeks, that was about a week ago. Does anyone know if this is a possibilty??

[docash1983]

Hi guy's
I travel on Sat and the cabin baggage restrictions of of 45cm x 35cm x x 16cm confuses me slightly. I have a JanSport back pack which I intend to use. If the bag is not bulging and thus would just about meet requirements would they then allow it if it is minutely over in height or width? as i have no idea the way in which they measure these bags If anybody has any knowledge of this I would be most appreciative. Also what is the process with hold luggage and pressurised cans such as deoderant etc, I was always lead to believe that this was under no circumstances to be placed in the hold because of the pressure, any thoughts?

[speeddial]

docash,

From reading this thread there is zero tolerance for over-sized bags, if it doesn't fit in their cut out it's got to be checked in.


A question for all,

Please can people share the makes and models of bags which have actually passed through the new size restrictions?

[DespairingTraveller]

Originally Posted by speeddial

docash,

A question for all,

Please can people share the makes and models of bags which have actually passed through the new size restrictions?

Especially camera bags!! I simply can't find one, because they are all made with pockets on the front, which make them too deep. (Except for bags which are too small, because they are only intended for tiny cameras, that is.)

[A2QFI]

New Luggae Legal Size

I was in an "Antler" luggage shop last week, looking for something to meet the new idiot regs, and bought a Revelation Lap Top computer case which does meet the new size limits and was either £15.95 or £19.95 They measured it in the shop and it was JUST in limits on all dimensions. 43 cm Framed Computer case Ref 3300743. It has a large main enclosure for a computer and a deep but slim outer pocket which would take A4 documents.

[radeng]

I'd like to take a tape measure to their funny boxes.
But exactly how strict they are if the bag will fit while you carry your wallet may depend whether you've got fast track (actually, not quite so slow track)or not.
Best airport I've been through recently was Nice. Through security like a dose of salts, all very pleasant, efficient, plenty of security people actually doing their job of checking things, two gates open. Earlier on in the year, actually got wished 'happy birthday' by passport control there!
Arlanda T2 are usually pretty good, too.

[Globaliser]

Originally Posted by docash1983

If the bag is not bulging and thus would just about meet requirements would they then allow it if it is minutely over in height or width? as i have no idea the way in which they measure these bags

The gauges are made of plywood or fibreboard and are solid-sided. So, basically, if you can squash your bag into the gauge, it will be accepted. If you can't, it'll be rejected. Last weekend, I managed to "persuade" my soft bag to get half way into the gauge. It was clear that further "encouragement" could have got it all the way in, but the staff member manning that position said it wouldn't be necessary to do that as it was obvious that it would fit. So at least some sanity is being applied, even if on a micro level.

Originally Posted by docash1983

Also what is the process with hold luggage and pressurised cans such as deoderant etc, I was always lead to believe that this was under no circumstances to be placed in the hold because of the pressure, any thoughts?

On most aircraft, the hold is pressurised exactly the same as the cabin, so pressure alone won't cause a problem. But there are some other restrictions on what you can put into hold baggage because it's unattended, so carefully check the list of items prohibited from hold baggage.

[Emeraude]

Original posting was 45x35x16 - What a ridiculous set of measurements! And so they are. 45? Ok. 35? Ok But 16....? Where does that come from?

[zed3]

uuurm.....15 plus one bonus cm.

[derekvader]

Originally Posted by Emeraude

Original posting was 45x35x16 - What a ridiculous set of measurements! And so they are. 45? Ok. 35? Ok But 16....? Where does that come from?

Well the standard Dell laptop bag just fits inside those dimensions so maybe that's what they happened to have to hand when they dreamed the dimensions up.

[skydriller]

Originally Posted by Emeraude
Original posting was 45x35x16 - What a ridiculous set of measurements! And so they are. 45? Ok. 35? Ok But 16....? Where does that come from?

I seem to recall someone somewhere posted to the effect that these measurements were specificly chosen so that most current hand baggage pax have would be too big...

.... meaning it all now gets checked it, meaning it no longer has to be hand searched, meaning less time to search everyone, meaning, less employees required to do searches.... etc.....etc...

Cynic? Moi?

Regards, SD..

[42ongo]

bag size at LHR

Further to various threads went to FRA from LHR 2 days ago
squashed my bulging bag (Dell Laptop tye ) in the gauge in front of airlines own staff at check in area
are these guages cheap and cheerful or what ?
When I was met by the people in front of departures entrance checking I had no liquids they said my bag was too big
I said I ve already checked it at the airline guage and they believed me although they had another gauge there
they did not make me put the bag in again
judging by their spotiness I guess they are outsourced employeees (temps) rather than BAA employess
Once I got past these 5 or 6 people the actual security process was suprisingly quick and only held up by idiots messing around with phones, coins, wallets, keys, etc in their pockets jackets etc once they got to the front of the queue
why not make sure people have nothing in their pockets at the initial challenge
There was also a few people moaning about having to take their shoes off
why not ask people to loosen their shoes at the initial challenge as well ?
Also how about providing some shoe horns after the security screening
As regards the BAA they had axed some security staff prior to the terrorist
threat and just like BA last year they are paying the price for not having sufficient contingency in place for the busy period
On my return the security queue at FRA was very long and although professionally dealt with took an age
The lady next to me in the queue thought she was going to have all her liquids confiscated again just like at LHR but she was allowed to take it all on
me too I was allowed to take on the toothpaste anti perspirant and shaving cream and gel that I bought airside at LHR
Also spent 30 mins waiting for my passport check (in the EU national queue) on arrival back to Terminal 2
A short business trip from LHR is a real pain these days and I can t see it getting any better

[computer jockey]

Not just LHR

I must admit when I travelled out from EDI on my way to India last Friday afternoon, it was relatively painless. When I went upstairs to the security, we were met by 2 efficient BAA staff, each guarding one of those chipboard boxes which look like they have been made in carpentry evening-classes. Anything obviously small was waved through, everything else was stuffed in the box. My rucksack got stuffed in, but passed, others were made to return to check in (with much cursing sotto voce). Past the regular ticket/boarding card check and into the "sheep pen" of taped lanes. There was not much queue so we had to quite a bit of walking up and down through the maze (much to the amusement of two Italian ladies ahead of me). To my amazement all the x-ray machines were working and there were another 2 security staff organising the lines and making sure everyone knew that they had to take off jackets, shoes and belts. I shuffled along in my socks, holding my trousers up with one hand and my belongings in another, soon through the screening, pat down and retrieved my stuff. Whole thing did not take much longer than the old days. And, they had thoughtfully provided comfy chairs and shoe horns to put your shoes back on.
All in all, not bad, but then when I arrived in BOM, my checked bag didn't .
Turned up a couple of days later, but that's another story.

[42ongo]

IRIS

Mike tks for the info re IRIS
I have walked past the IRIS office a few times and wondered what they are doing in there
this service had not been too well publicised I remember someone throwing a pamphlet at me last year sometime
Also as far as I understand you can only use it in Terminal 2 and 4
whereas I usually go from 3 and 1 do you know if this is true
Also I did not noitce the IRIS readers where are they in relation to the immigration desks in Terminal 2 ?
I saw they also have a similar thing in CDG does IRIS work there do you know ?
Thanks in advance

[PAXboy]

Perhaps the best part of the new bag regs and searches is the inconsistency from one airport to another.

Going through LTN (for IOM) yesterday and I was not asked to remove the belt that I was asked to remove at LHR three weeks earlier. Cameras may, or may not, cause concern. When I return on Monday, I know that the inspection on IOM departure is very strict and they remove more belts and open a lot of bags. Naturally, they tell me that they all work to the same standards and if other airports do not inspect as closely as they do, then that must be laxity on their part, rather than IOM being too strict.

Also, a 3.5cm blade (and VERY sharp) also went through again (by accident) but it is in my shoulder bag and goes through because the shape of the blade is non conventional.

Fortunately, I did remember to take out of my bag a metal tube of Anthisan (anti-itch cream for insect bites) and so my fellow pax were safe. Phew ...

[Globaliser]

Originally Posted by Mike Jenvey

Beat all the queues upon arrival!

If it's working. This morning, arriving from JFK on one of those everything-went-wrong-and-I-just-want-to-get-out-of-here-and-get-going flights, the penultimate fly in the ointment was that IRIS wasn't working at T4. (The last one was the sloooow Tube trains into town.) Hey ho.

Originally Posted by Mike Jenvey

Similar quote at LGW a couple of months ago.

T2 - IIRC, it's on the far left side of the immigration arrival area, & T4 it's on the far right.

I've not seen it myself, but I've seen reports that IRIS is now up and running at LGW North.

Sorry to contradict, but I think that it's at T1 that the IRIS machine is to the very far right, against the wall and beyond even the Fast Track desk. (Thus you have to explain yourself to the queue dragon, although decreasingly often now that they're getting the hang of IRIS' existence.)

At T4, the machine is situated immediately to the right of the EU queue, between that and the "others" area.

[Man-on-the-fence]

Have just spent all morning packing and repacking my camera bag.

It is a small rucksack and will fit all dimenstiosn except the 16cm, it will fit at a squeeze. It currently sits on the table in a relaxed state at 16.5-17cm but I can squash it to 16cm and feel confident that it will fit, but you never know! I have tried everything, velco on the internal pockets and external straps.

Anyone with any first hand experiance of whether this will be ok at LHR T3. I am travelling with United on Thursday.

[spikeair]

I'm in the same position. going out to the far east in november. my camera gear (f5 , 28-70 f2.8 and 80-200 f2.8) will I suspect just fit in a non camer rucksack. Not ideal , but this jsut to get it through security. I will put a proper camer ruck sack in my main luggage to use to carry the gear around whislt out there.I'd like to take a bit more kit but its jsut not going to fit and I don't want to risk putting it in the hold.
Youre right the 16cm bit is really not good. I belive it is to keep security checking times to a minimum and theyhave to draw the line somewhere, but I don't feel it will take any longer to search a bag a few more inches higher will it?
Camer gear anyway is likely to be searched anyway (I've no issue with that).
Come on BAA, make the bag size more reasonable and for those of us buying premium tickets, let use take a bit more on board. Whats the point of fasttrack otehrwise?

[EastMids]

Originally Posted by Man-on-the-fence

Anyone with any first hand experiance of whether this will be ok at LHR T3. I am travelling with United on Thursday.

Same response as on UKAR - if it will squash down into the rigid 16cm gauge you will be OK. I have a Lowepro MiniTrekker AW and had to make sure that the backstraps were round the sides to make it fit, but it did go in the gauge. In the event, no one at UA checkin or T3 security asked me to actually prove it fitted into the gauge - when I was asked at checkin I said I'd tried it and they accept my word, but I had checked beforehand because I wanted to be sure in case I was challenged. I guess whether or not you are asked to prove your bag will go into the gauge could depend on the staff on the day, and I also admit I was travelling biz class and it might just be possible that they're going slightly easier on premium pax both at checkin and in the fast-track security (I didn't see anyone in fast track sent back for bagsize, and although none were huge a few didn't look like they'd make 16cm). Anyways, my bag looked big but I knew it would fit, just, so it wasn't an issue of concern.

Everything went very quickly in T3 for me last Tuesday - I arrived early and was in the lounge less than 30 minutes after walking through the terminal door - but the couple behind me at the gate said it'd taken them over an hour and a half to get through T3 standard security. I had to take the laptop out of the bag (yes, that was in the bag with the cameras too), but the the camera gear, the iPod and mobile phone stayed in the bag through the x-ray machine and didn't get hand-checked. UA were letting people onto the plane with a second bag - I had bought a book and some other stuff airside - and there was no bag size check at the gate.

Andy