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Update on UK hand luggage restrictions!


spylaw4

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I don't want to start a thread as lenghty or as OT like the last one - but I think it might help some members if I post the new updated rules re hand luggage at UK airports. I quote from the DoT Press Release..

 

"These arrangements apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring from international flights at a UK airport.

 

Each passenger is permitted to carry ONE item of cabin baggage through the airport security search point. The dimensions of this item must not exceed: a maximum length of 45 cm, width of 35 cm and depth of 16 cm (17.7"×13.7"×6.2" approx) (including wheels, handles, side pockets etc.). Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within the single item of cabin baggage. All items carried by passengers will be x-ray screened.

 

No liquids of any type are permitted through the airport security search point, other than the following items:

 

Essential medicines in liquid form sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g. diabetic kit), as long as verified as authentic

Baby milk and liquid baby food (the contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger).

NOTE: The definition of liquids includes gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurised containers, e.g. toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols, etc.

 

To help their progress through search points, passengers are encouraged not to include items capable of containing liquids (e.g. bottles, flasks, tubes, cans, plastic containers etc.) in their cabin baggage.

 

All laptops and large electrical items (e.g. large hairdryer) must be removed from the bag and placed in a tray so that such items neither obscure nor are obscured by the bag.

 

Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must be x-ray screened. Wheelchairs are permitted but must be thoroughly searched.

 

In addition to the above, passengers boarding flights to the USA and items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, will be subjected to secondary search at the gate. Any liquids discovered will be removed from the passenger. "

 

It would seem that cameras are now ok for hand luggage but those of you with multi-item equipment may well have to put some of it in the hold.

 

And if you're going to the US - no duty-free booze I"m afraid! (which does seem to me to be a trifle o.t.t.)

 

Mods can feel free to close this thread promptly if they wish!

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Brian -

 

I'm glad you posted this -- It gives us hope that we can arrive at our destinations with our Leica gear unbroken, unstolen and not lost. However, since BA owns Heathrow, Gatwick and five others in the UK, and since the new regs are governmental and not BA, and since BA hasn't seemed to figure out yet how to handle this, we won't be eeing these changes quite yet. Soon, I hope.

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Small point of order. "BA" is British Airways. "BAA" is the British Airports Authority. It's tha latter that owns and operates Heathrow, Gatwick, etc. BA is as affected and disadvantaged by all this as the rest of the airlines.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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Can't answer about the Pelican - but the dimensions are to include all handles wheels etc. It is in force right now.

 

On the TV News today they were showing officials and passengers stuffing bags into box- shaped templates- so for the moment at least they seem to be taking the dimensions pretty seriously. I saw a shot of one guy having difficulty with a DSLR (make unknown) getting it to fit into his bag in the box!

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Brian - Thanks for the update. It's well appreciated.

 

I really understand the need for extra security however, I will be avoiding London altogether. I spoke with a chap who just came back on Sunday through Heathrow and he mentioned it was still chaos with the line-ups etc., he looked a little shaken. I did not pry further... Unfortunately, this carry-on size you mention is still too small with respect to my equipment. Frankly, I'm relieved to be taking an alternate route.

 

Cheers,

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Brian, thanks for the dimensions. I failed to write them down when I heard them on the radio.

 

Luggage losses and rising theft are more worrying. I'll be travelling light to Spain.

 

David

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The dimensions quoted are for a case of about the size of a Pelican 1470. Does anyone know if the exterior dimensions quoted by Pelican include the handle, clasps, etc?

 

I've measured my Pelican 1450 case and it looks as if it just (only just) meets the rule for height. The handle folds down flat and doesn't protrude any more than the clasps/external ribbing on the case, so it looks as if the dimensions include the folded handle. Problem with Pelican cases is their weight, using up a significant portion of the hand baggage allowance.

 

Unfortunately the LowePro Omni case I've always used in the past (very light weight) although it just meets the new regulations when empty it's somewhat soft and inclined to bulge if filled to capacity which compounds the problem - sigh.

 

Bob.

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I've measured my Pelican 1450 case and it looks as if it just (only just) meets the rule for height. The handle folds down flat and doesn't protrude any more than the clasps/external ribbing on the case, so it looks as if the dimensions include the folded handle. Problem with Pelican cases is their weight, using up a significant portion of the hand baggage allowance.

Bob.

 

I checked with an importer of Pelican cases and have been assured that the dfimensions *do* include the fittings. I agree that weight is a problem with these cases, but they are tough.

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Just a quickie re gravastar's comment about weight. It's interesting that the new regs. make no mention about weight - even to confirm the current weight limit. Mark you, I've always found that unless the bag looks very heavy (i.e. you're leaning strongly to port or starboard :rolleyes: ) you don't have too much trouble with weight.

 

Andy, like you I found that piece about lost bags very worrying. It was said that the main causs were sheer volume and the fact that the luggage system is not designed to work with the smaller sized bags. Let's hope that over the next few weeks it all settles down and starts to work properly again.

 

I am presuming that the size limit is purely for the UK?

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Just a quickie re gravastar's comment about weight. It's interesting that the new regs. make no mention about weight - even to confirm the current weight limit. Mark you, I've always found that unless the bag looks very heavy (i.e. you're leaning strongly to port or starboard :rolleyes: ) you don't have too much trouble with weight.

 

Andy, like you I found that piece about lost bags very worrying. It was said that the main causs were sheer volume and the fact that the luggage system is not designed to work with the smaller sized bags. Let's hope that over the next few weeks it all settles down and starts to work properly again.

 

I am presuming that the size limit is purely for the UK?

 

From Radio 4 this morning it seems that the French are also getting twitchy about air baggage. :(

 

It just confirms my personal decision to travel around Europe by train as far as possible and to consider flying from Dublin or Amsterdam if I have to go further afield.

 

Trains tend to be more expensive than air unless you are using a special ticket such as a Swiss Pass, but they are a much more civilised way to travel and I do have the luxury of the Ffestiniog Travel continental ticketing agency just down the road... :)

 

Fortunately my trip to Switzerland in September is by rail all the way or I'd have to consider packing the D2 rather than my DMR.

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From Radio 4 this morning it seems that the French are also getting twitchy about air baggage. :(

 

John - can you expand on this for the benefit of those of us flying to Paris at the beginning of October, please?

 

Thanks.

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John - can you expand on this for the benefit of those of us flying to Paris at the beginning of October, please?

 

Thanks.

 

Sorry - I was barely awake when I heard the piece but it sounded like the French Transport Minister(?) speaking about how he had been 'in touch with British colleagues, had been briefed on the situation and that suitable similar precautions must be taken in France'

 

There was also a piece on the midday news quoting Reid saying that airline security rules needed to be made uniform throughout Europe - which I suspect is politician-speak for 'let's all tighten up'... :(

 

Eurostar here we come... :rolleyes:

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