Luggage Restrictions in European Flights
Apr 7th, 2013, 07:26 PM
#21
>>I don't understand why people on this forum can't see the difference between a piece of luggage that will impinge on other people's space and a cushion<<
It has absolutely no relevance what anyone 'on this forum' thinks one way or the other. If the airline says one item carried in the cabin - they generally mean one item
It has absolutely no relevance what anyone 'on this forum' thinks one way or the other. If the airline says one item carried in the cabin - they generally mean one item
Apr 7th, 2013, 08:38 PM
#22
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Janisj -- I know that the opinions/tone of forum members are irrelevant. That is precisely my point. I asked a reasonable question. The answer (that the European airlines would be more likely than the US ones to count a back pillow as a carry on object) was useful, and I thank those who gave the information they had about it.
Continuing messages about how the question I asked was unreasonable (because of course an item is an item is an item) don't accomplish anything except making people afraid of asking questions.
F
Continuing messages about how the question I asked was unreasonable (because of course an item is an item is an item) don't accomplish anything except making people afraid of asking questions.
F
Apr 7th, 2013, 11:18 PM
#25
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>>The child's car seat can often be used in the seat the child is occupying - since regular seat belts don't work for small kids. But - it's part of the seat for child safety - not an extra item brought onboard.<<
To take a car seat on board you have to purchase a seat for the child. If the child is over 2 you would have to anyway, but under 2 they usually sit on the adults lap. The car seat is most definitely an extra item brought on board.
I don't agree with the consensus of the "group" that a pillow would not be allowed on board, or if it is, it has to be paid for, neither do I agree that European airlines are stricter with luggage allowances than US airlines. People take on board personal items the whole time whether its a cushion or a blanket. Doctor's letters only open a whole can of worms so wouldn't go down that route. Even on Ryanair which is much critised on this forum, my carry-on bag (which I have in addition to hold luggage) is over the stated dimensions plus I purchase duty free.
To take a car seat on board you have to purchase a seat for the child. If the child is over 2 you would have to anyway, but under 2 they usually sit on the adults lap. The car seat is most definitely an extra item brought on board.
I don't agree with the consensus of the "group" that a pillow would not be allowed on board, or if it is, it has to be paid for, neither do I agree that European airlines are stricter with luggage allowances than US airlines. People take on board personal items the whole time whether its a cushion or a blanket. Doctor's letters only open a whole can of worms so wouldn't go down that route. Even on Ryanair which is much critised on this forum, my carry-on bag (which I have in addition to hold luggage) is over the stated dimensions plus I purchase duty free.
Apr 15th, 2013, 10:23 AM
#26
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Just a quick clarification:
When I was talking about car seats of course I was thinking of cases where the child has his/her own paid for seat. And in those cases, the child's car seat is allowed as an extra item (in addition to a carry on and a diaper bag). At least, that has been my experience. So that is three "items" with one of them being allowed (I assume) because it is necessary and it takes up no space from the other passengers.
As for whether European airlines are or are not stricter, they do indeed have stricter rules (smaller sizes of bags allowed and a weight limit). But I'm not surprised to hear that they are not always strictly enforced.
As Odin points out, duty free items are allowed over and above the allowed carry on, so there is probably some flexibility/discretion involved.
As for attaching the pillow to myself to board the plane, I don't know if the suggestion was serious or sarcastic, but it has certainly caused me amusement.
When I was talking about car seats of course I was thinking of cases where the child has his/her own paid for seat. And in those cases, the child's car seat is allowed as an extra item (in addition to a carry on and a diaper bag). At least, that has been my experience. So that is three "items" with one of them being allowed (I assume) because it is necessary and it takes up no space from the other passengers.
As for whether European airlines are or are not stricter, they do indeed have stricter rules (smaller sizes of bags allowed and a weight limit). But I'm not surprised to hear that they are not always strictly enforced.
As Odin points out, duty free items are allowed over and above the allowed carry on, so there is probably some flexibility/discretion involved.
As for attaching the pillow to myself to board the plane, I don't know if the suggestion was serious or sarcastic, but it has certainly caused me amusement.
Apr 15th, 2013, 10:46 AM
#27
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Exactly what is allowed on will depend on several factors:
Size of the plane
How crowded the plane is
The specific airlines rules about carry-ons in number and size
How strict the airline is about carry-ons
How strictly the gate agent will follow the rules
To assume that you will get an extra carry-on is foolhardy - since it may result in your having to gate check something else in order to bring a pillow on board. So you may be left with the choice of checking your carry-on or leaving your pillow behind.
If everyone wanted to bring a pillow on board - where would all the other carry-ons go?
I don't understand people who seem to think that the rules apply to everyone but them.
Size of the plane
How crowded the plane is
The specific airlines rules about carry-ons in number and size
How strict the airline is about carry-ons
How strictly the gate agent will follow the rules
To assume that you will get an extra carry-on is foolhardy - since it may result in your having to gate check something else in order to bring a pillow on board. So you may be left with the choice of checking your carry-on or leaving your pillow behind.
If everyone wanted to bring a pillow on board - where would all the other carry-ons go?
I don't understand people who seem to think that the rules apply to everyone but them.
Apr 15th, 2013, 11:32 AM
#28
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What you can carry on depends, as nytraveler said, on the specific airline, also the size of the plane and probably almost as important 'how strictly the gate agent will follow the rules'. If the gate agent is in a bad mood you're screwed. If they like the way you look, you can get away with all kinds of stuff. It really is a crap shoot. However, some airlines do have stricter rules and tend to follow them more strictly than others (easyjet and ryanair being the most notorious).
Weight is as important as size.
The answer to this question "If everyone wanted to bring a pillow on board - where would all the other carry-ons go?" is - they would go the same place they go anyway - the pillow is going to be in the seat, behind the passengers back. It is not going to take any space from overhead (or even from under seat).
Ferris - try emailing the airlines and asking if you can bring the pillow and if they say yes print out the email to show the gate agent.
And as ridiculous as it sounds, the person who suggested stuffing it under your clothing has a point. Unless you are already a very large person, it probably won't make you any larger than some of the other passengers.
Weight is as important as size.
The answer to this question "If everyone wanted to bring a pillow on board - where would all the other carry-ons go?" is - they would go the same place they go anyway - the pillow is going to be in the seat, behind the passengers back. It is not going to take any space from overhead (or even from under seat).
Ferris - try emailing the airlines and asking if you can bring the pillow and if they say yes print out the email to show the gate agent.
And as ridiculous as it sounds, the person who suggested stuffing it under your clothing has a point. Unless you are already a very large person, it probably won't make you any larger than some of the other passengers.
Apr 15th, 2013, 12:08 PM
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DS was fully packed..all into his back pack carryon after 10 days in Spain and his small personal bag...No room anywhere for his neck pillow (which he desparately needs) so he snapped it around his neck..Looking ridiculous he checked in, boarded and got a big laugh from the crew when he was called upon to explain his creative manuever.. How big is your pillow? Mine is down and I can squeeze it up small and do! I can see you strapping it to your back with a bungey cord and wearing a loose jacket. LOL..I'm sure you can find a way!!!
Apr 16th, 2013, 06:44 PM
#30
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My pillow is essentially a lumbar support thing that cradles my back. It is not fluffy or flexible. It fits my back from my shoulder blades to my rear. It would not fit under most jackets even if I figured out a way of attaching it that wouldn't slide down.
I don't anticipate any problem on the flight out. I have never had a problem in the US. I have only been called on it once and when I said, "It's just a pillow for my back. It won't take extra space," I was told that it was ok.
My plan is to use it only on the transatlantic trips. In Europe the pillow will go in my checked luggage. I am a little concerned about the trip from London to US, but I'll risk it.
I *was* going to write to the airlines but I had so much trouble explaining the situation on this forum that I figured it would be a hassle to try to explain it to the airlines.
I don't anticipate any problem on the flight out. I have never had a problem in the US. I have only been called on it once and when I said, "It's just a pillow for my back. It won't take extra space," I was told that it was ok.
My plan is to use it only on the transatlantic trips. In Europe the pillow will go in my checked luggage. I am a little concerned about the trip from London to US, but I'll risk it.
I *was* going to write to the airlines but I had so much trouble explaining the situation on this forum that I figured it would be a hassle to try to explain it to the airlines.
