HELP Please -- London Heathrow carry on restriction
Sep 6th, 2006, 09:27 AM
#21
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Why is the word "maximum" hard to understand? I hope they keep up the strict restrictions, it's quicker and safer for everyone."
Quicker? Perhaps once it settles down. Safer? Debatable. Making air travel in the course of work impossible for some people? Yep. (No chance of me flying anywhere with my violin in the forseeable.)
Quicker? Perhaps once it settles down. Safer? Debatable. Making air travel in the course of work impossible for some people? Yep. (No chance of me flying anywhere with my violin in the forseeable.)
Sep 10th, 2006, 04:23 PM
#22
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am flying throgh London to Italy too, and my question is: If I am having 10 hour stopover in London and want to leave my already checked in US carryon luggage inside the "secure" inside of the airport, is there a baggage storage, lockers, etc. inside the airport? It will take less time to get through secuity check on the way back from the city then.
Sep 10th, 2006, 06:10 PM
#23
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
with people having to check baggage were they charging to do so? I know united only allows do checked bags, but if your required to so what they doing charging you. Also it seems from what I could tell from another united rep that flying in it was 45 liner inches, but flying out then well your bag go in wouldn't be allowed. Wouldn't it be easier for them to say that going into london as well as leaving the same carry on rules apply?
Sep 10th, 2006, 06:17 PM
#25
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's always best to rely on an official resource.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/group...home_page.hcsp
Then click on "Airline security: statement update".
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/group...home_page.hcsp
Then click on "Airline security: statement update".
Sep 10th, 2006, 09:34 PM
#26
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
march:
No, and it wouldn't help you anyway.
No British airport allows anyone to board a plane without going through security at that airport. If your hand baggage has been checked at a foreign country, it makes no difference: we check it again, since our security people - quite rightly - trust no-one.
There are left luggsage facilities, landside, at each terminal.
No, and it wouldn't help you anyway.
No British airport allows anyone to board a plane without going through security at that airport. If your hand baggage has been checked at a foreign country, it makes no difference: we check it again, since our security people - quite rightly - trust no-one.
There are left luggsage facilities, landside, at each terminal.
Sep 10th, 2006, 10:36 PM
#27
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>>>>
As a matter of interest, has anyone tried getting on board with an armful of papers (could be newspapers, could be mags, could be office files) as well as the bag?
>>>>>
my understanding from several recent flights is that the bag must fit in the frame at check-in and at a special second check that is done at a station set up just before the regular security check. anything purchased in the airport (such as newspapers, books, etc) can be carried on in addition to your right-sized carry-on. so the best advice would be to purchase airside. i found no evidence that books from home or office files would be allowed in addition to the carry-on...but obviously a small paperback carried outside the bag would be much less likely to attract attention at the two points of size check. anything else would be risky, imo.
also, the airports (heathrow and gatwick in my experience) are quite liberal about how you get the bag to fit into the frame. many people were jamming soft bags into it with such force that i thought it would burst apart. a hard bag is obviously a disadvantage in this respect. so the dimensions of the empty soft bag are not important...it's how it can "squish" into the frame that is important.
As a matter of interest, has anyone tried getting on board with an armful of papers (could be newspapers, could be mags, could be office files) as well as the bag?
>>>>>
my understanding from several recent flights is that the bag must fit in the frame at check-in and at a special second check that is done at a station set up just before the regular security check. anything purchased in the airport (such as newspapers, books, etc) can be carried on in addition to your right-sized carry-on. so the best advice would be to purchase airside. i found no evidence that books from home or office files would be allowed in addition to the carry-on...but obviously a small paperback carried outside the bag would be much less likely to attract attention at the two points of size check. anything else would be risky, imo.
also, the airports (heathrow and gatwick in my experience) are quite liberal about how you get the bag to fit into the frame. many people were jamming soft bags into it with such force that i thought it would burst apart. a hard bag is obviously a disadvantage in this respect. so the dimensions of the empty soft bag are not important...it's how it can "squish" into the frame that is important.
Sep 10th, 2006, 10:44 PM
#28
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>> BTW that you can buy anything once you get through security - even luggage. <<
And I'll bet it's 45 X 35 X 16 luggage you can buy, right?
Am I the only one who smells the putrid stench of a big fat scam?
And I'll bet it's 45 X 35 X 16 luggage you can buy, right?
Am I the only one who smells the putrid stench of a big fat scam?
Sep 11th, 2006, 05:00 AM
#30
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>>>>>
Even if it was why would it be a scam?
>>>>>
in my many london airport visits after the recent UK security panic, i have heard comments from many people about the policy that prevents drinks from being brought in but that you can buy drinks or "duty free" booze and carry on with little or no restrictions (i think flights to US are excluded from this allowance).
i have also heard people in the airport commenting that the clinique makeup counter is one of the first things you see after you are told to throw out your cosmetics when going through security (gatwick north terminal).
i am not saying that i agree with the view that this is a scam as obviously the cosmetics, water, drinks, etc sold by the airport shops are, at least in theory, subject to security checks. not worth debating all of this as none of us is qualified to speculate on it.
my only point is that it is quite a common view that it is a scam that people are asked to discard things and then offered the same for sale within the next few yards.
BAA (operator of the airports) lost a huge amount of money because of this panic attack so i don't see how any of these policies were drawn up to make money.
Even if it was why would it be a scam?
>>>>>
in my many london airport visits after the recent UK security panic, i have heard comments from many people about the policy that prevents drinks from being brought in but that you can buy drinks or "duty free" booze and carry on with little or no restrictions (i think flights to US are excluded from this allowance).
i have also heard people in the airport commenting that the clinique makeup counter is one of the first things you see after you are told to throw out your cosmetics when going through security (gatwick north terminal).
i am not saying that i agree with the view that this is a scam as obviously the cosmetics, water, drinks, etc sold by the airport shops are, at least in theory, subject to security checks. not worth debating all of this as none of us is qualified to speculate on it.
my only point is that it is quite a common view that it is a scam that people are asked to discard things and then offered the same for sale within the next few yards.
BAA (operator of the airports) lost a huge amount of money because of this panic attack so i don't see how any of these policies were drawn up to make money.
Sep 11th, 2006, 06:34 AM
#31
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And I am hoping the British relax that carry-on size bag by 4 inches before I return out of Gatwick in November. I have used a legal carry-on for some twenty five odd years and never check a bag for my travels. I can live a whole month out of that bag but I sure don`t think it would survive a ride in the cargoe hold. Out of 4 trips in the 1970`s, three separate airlines lost my checked bag and I never saw my clothes again.
Sep 11th, 2006, 02:18 PM
#33
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,420
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I don't know... according to the TSA that water bottle I buy at the gift shop is fine in the gate area but if I somehow carry it on the plane it acquires DANGEROUS ablitities and I can't carry it on plane back to the USA
Why should the pressed powder I buy at Clinque be any different???
Nice to see the Brits are as brillant at the Americans at being inconsisent....
Why should the pressed powder I buy at Clinque be any different???
Nice to see the Brits are as brillant at the Americans at being inconsisent....
Sep 11th, 2006, 02:21 PM
#34
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 19,881
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I believe the ban on all carry on liquids for US flights is done at US government "insistence" - just like the "give us 300 different bits of information about the passengers".
Sep 11th, 2006, 02:24 PM
#35
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>>>>>
walkinaround, so August 10th was all a plot to ensure higher sales of goods airside.
>>>>>
seems you didn't read the last sentence of my post:
BAA (operator of the airports) lost a huge amount of money because of this panic attack so i don't see how any of these policies were drawn up to make money.
walkinaround, so August 10th was all a plot to ensure higher sales of goods airside.
>>>>>
seems you didn't read the last sentence of my post:
BAA (operator of the airports) lost a huge amount of money because of this panic attack so i don't see how any of these policies were drawn up to make money.
Sep 14th, 2006, 06:37 AM
#36
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just returned from a trip to South Africa via Heathrow enroute to Joburg and straight back to JFK from there.
Joanel asked for a suggestion on a bag that to use for carry-on. I purchases a 12 pocket tote from Magellan's last December and was able to fit a small digital video camcorder, digital SLR, small digital camera, and essentials (to me) for the trip like an inflatable neck pillow, glasses and contact lens cases, sunglasses, book, small brush, travel wallet, etc. I was very pleased at how much I could fit within it, and that it fit inside the wooden frame at Heathrow. (For anyone wishing to purchase this bag, here is a link to it on Magellan's website http://www.magellans.com/store/Games..._50LB606?Args= .)
I measured the dimensions of my bag before leaving for the airport. At Heathrow, there was a frame set up where I could test whether it fit and rearrange a few things to make the bag taller and a little less thick. We flew South African Airways, and there was a wooden frame right at the head of the line before the check-in counter and someone stood there while you made sure the bag fit.
Something that I didn't see mentioned (but perhaps I missed it with jetlag and all) is that the gate for departure was not announced at Heathrow until an hour before the flight was to leave. This kept everyone in the central waiting areas, and then sent a lot of people walking to the departures gates at the same time. Along the way, a portion of the line was selected for a secondary search.
Also, I had read all of the info on what was permitted when we left for Heathrow, and this was changed again after we arrived in Heathrow but before we flew on to Joburg. Perhaps it was to make it easier for security people, but we were not allowed the 4 oz. of non-prescription liquids (like contact lens rewetting drops, saline solution, etc.) or make-up such as powder. I was allowed to take my inhaler onboard.
I really missed my little tube hand lotion and lip balm, but found there was some lotion onboard (the SAA 747) and that using a little butter (supplied with dinner for the roll) eased my discomfort. And there was plenty of water available.
Note: Johannesburg airport stated that they were following the same carry-on restrictions as Heathrow but didn't have a wooden box in which we had to fit our carry-on. Some people had carry-on that looked a bit bigger than the stated dimensions, but the overhead bins were very empty. We were allowed to take under 4 oz of saline solution (like "Ocean"
and rewetting drops for contacts onboard. And there was a secondary, thorough search of everyone boarding the flight from Joburg to JFK this past Tuesday. This including a male or female security official (depending on your sex) checking you over with metal detector wands. (At Heathrow, male or female security people patted us down during the first security check.)
I think it may be wise to assume that you will need to follow the restrictions when traveling from overseas back to the USA. People at Joburg mentioned 9/11 and were very concerned about avoiding an incident. I appreciated their efforts.
Hope this is helpful....
P.S. I kept a little bag with lip balm, hand lotion, and deodorant easily accessible in my checked luggage so that I could pull it out with ease after arriving at the airport.
Joanel asked for a suggestion on a bag that to use for carry-on. I purchases a 12 pocket tote from Magellan's last December and was able to fit a small digital video camcorder, digital SLR, small digital camera, and essentials (to me) for the trip like an inflatable neck pillow, glasses and contact lens cases, sunglasses, book, small brush, travel wallet, etc. I was very pleased at how much I could fit within it, and that it fit inside the wooden frame at Heathrow. (For anyone wishing to purchase this bag, here is a link to it on Magellan's website http://www.magellans.com/store/Games..._50LB606?Args= .)
I measured the dimensions of my bag before leaving for the airport. At Heathrow, there was a frame set up where I could test whether it fit and rearrange a few things to make the bag taller and a little less thick. We flew South African Airways, and there was a wooden frame right at the head of the line before the check-in counter and someone stood there while you made sure the bag fit.
Something that I didn't see mentioned (but perhaps I missed it with jetlag and all) is that the gate for departure was not announced at Heathrow until an hour before the flight was to leave. This kept everyone in the central waiting areas, and then sent a lot of people walking to the departures gates at the same time. Along the way, a portion of the line was selected for a secondary search.
Also, I had read all of the info on what was permitted when we left for Heathrow, and this was changed again after we arrived in Heathrow but before we flew on to Joburg. Perhaps it was to make it easier for security people, but we were not allowed the 4 oz. of non-prescription liquids (like contact lens rewetting drops, saline solution, etc.) or make-up such as powder. I was allowed to take my inhaler onboard.
I really missed my little tube hand lotion and lip balm, but found there was some lotion onboard (the SAA 747) and that using a little butter (supplied with dinner for the roll) eased my discomfort. And there was plenty of water available.
Note: Johannesburg airport stated that they were following the same carry-on restrictions as Heathrow but didn't have a wooden box in which we had to fit our carry-on. Some people had carry-on that looked a bit bigger than the stated dimensions, but the overhead bins were very empty. We were allowed to take under 4 oz of saline solution (like "Ocean"
and rewetting drops for contacts onboard. And there was a secondary, thorough search of everyone boarding the flight from Joburg to JFK this past Tuesday. This including a male or female security official (depending on your sex) checking you over with metal detector wands. (At Heathrow, male or female security people patted us down during the first security check.)I think it may be wise to assume that you will need to follow the restrictions when traveling from overseas back to the USA. People at Joburg mentioned 9/11 and were very concerned about avoiding an incident. I appreciated their efforts.
Hope this is helpful....
P.S. I kept a little bag with lip balm, hand lotion, and deodorant easily accessible in my checked luggage so that I could pull it out with ease after arriving at the airport.
Sep 14th, 2006, 06:49 AM
#37
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"I really missed my little tube hand lotion and lip balm, but found there was some lotion onboard (the SAA 747) and that using a little butter (supplied with dinner for the roll) eased my discomfort."
The butter was my substitute for lip balm to prevent cracking - not lotion. It was better than nothing as far as I was concerned....
