Can I have a moan about the new improved hand baggage allowance

I know it wont do any good but it will make me feel better.

So we have got rid of the completely unworkable no hand baggage at all restriction that would have actually made it impossible for me to work economically - whopeee.

And now have (and I suspect for a long time) a new relaxed system that just and only just gives the minimum I need but at maximum inconvenience and for minimum benefit.

So now I can take my laptop and phone on a plane secure in the knowledge that I will still have them and they will work, however as the new improved allowance is 60% less than the old one there is no way I can travel without checking hold baggage anymore (unless for a day trip). This adds significantly to my journey time if leaving Heathrow and f**k knows how long on the way back - waits of 1 hour + are common - assuming your bag actually makes it at all.

If we are to introduce such a draconian policy that forces all passengers to check luggage didnt we first ought to introduce a quick and reliable baggage check in and handling service.

Now to the real gripe though - how does this new policy make us safer? Surely a suicide bomber can put a bomb in the hold and detonate it with a phone or use a timer or use a pressure sensitive detonator. He can safely sail through security and his bag wont be offloaded. How does allowing enough space for a few clothes compromise safety significantly

The answers are of course this is all about appearences - I cant see how the new measures are any safer than the old ones - but because they are more restrictive they give the impression of being so to those who dont think this through properly. The government can be seen to be doing something and they can get on with controlling a bit more of the lives of the regular law abiding citizen.

By the way the first successful use of a liquid bomb on a plane was 12 years ago so this is hardly new. (furious)

 

My point though is it doesnt make it safer

how does saying you can take electronic equipment such aslaptop mobile phone ipod and camer onto a planebag on just big enough for a laptop but no clothes make you safer than taking the above and a couple of shirts and changes of underwear and a book?

 

Why?

why is it a problem to take a bag with some clothes and a laptop onto a plane.

Yes some people did take the piss - but that can be stopped easily by strict enforcement of the old rules.

For people who go on holiday once a year an extra hour at each end whilst checking in and waiting for luggage is no big deal - especially as usually more stuff is taken than is practical to put on a plane anyway. but for people who travel as part of their work (I did over 50 flights last year and am heading for a similar number this year) it shortens our working week and eats into our weekend. Not funny if its every second week on average .

 

2 points

If longer search time -employ more security staff then not rocket science. No problem with that (in any case the airports cant cope with the extra baggage so they need to employ more checkin staff and baggage handlers so either way its going to cost more

If body cavity searches become commonplace then the terrorists have won - this would have a decimating effect on British Industry - way beyond the airline industry

 

Eh - thats a Windyesque response

Not yet no

 

RE: Why?

Mostly between 3 or 4 destinations - not really practical to leave a set of clothes in each unfortunately especially as I dont allways stay in the same hotels either.

My point still is its not really any safer though - phones and laptops are the most likely equipment to be used to conceal/set off bombs so once you allow them - you might as well allow a few clothes as well.

If you don't allow them business travellers cant do their jobs. All I want is a properly policed sensible baggage policy - not sensationalism for effect but no real benefit

 

Yes but have you seen the checkin tents

There isnt enough space if everyone checks baggage either. I still recon its easier to double the size of the security area than the baggage hall.

or we can just fly with 30% less flights and put prices up I suppose