Carrying on the Check-In Luggage - Ryanair Madness or the Future of Cut-Price Travel?
Friday July 3, 2009
Michael O'Leary, outspoken CEO of Ryanair, has been thinking out aloud again. About Ryanair's luggage policy. And he hinted at unlimited carry-on luggage. Which, unless there was still room in the cabin area, would be stowed in the luggage hold. In turn, check-in luggage would be abolished. Makes sense?
Actually it does. What this pipe dream seems to hint at is a total abolishment of the whole luggage check-in process, which is costly and often time-consuming (and nerve-racking, if somebody thought that luggage marked DUB should go to Dubrovnik). The simple solution: Whatever bags you arrive with at the airport, you are responsible for getting them to the plane. As O'Leary long ago vowed that Ryanair would make flying similar to taking the bus, this is a logical step towards that end. But will it work?
Obviously the whole security process will have to be re-thought. While today you may load your check-in baggage with John Locke's knife collection, this would not be possible under the current rules if Ryanair were to introduce the CIY (carry it yourself) approach. Meaning that carry-on rules would apply to all luggage and that all luggage would have to be screened.
On the other hand - provided there are still luggage trolleys and assistance for disabled travelers is available, why not? Heck - I have moaned loud and often that I could have brought tons of additional stuff on a recent flight. But the excess luggage premium was steep. If I really would have unlimited carry-on luggage, I'll gladly carry my stuff to the plane. Then again "unlimited" has, in my experience, always been limited by some terms and conditions. So let's just wait and see what Ryanair will actually propose.
Actually it does. What this pipe dream seems to hint at is a total abolishment of the whole luggage check-in process, which is costly and often time-consuming (and nerve-racking, if somebody thought that luggage marked DUB should go to Dubrovnik). The simple solution: Whatever bags you arrive with at the airport, you are responsible for getting them to the plane. As O'Leary long ago vowed that Ryanair would make flying similar to taking the bus, this is a logical step towards that end. But will it work?
Obviously the whole security process will have to be re-thought. While today you may load your check-in baggage with John Locke's knife collection, this would not be possible under the current rules if Ryanair were to introduce the CIY (carry it yourself) approach. Meaning that carry-on rules would apply to all luggage and that all luggage would have to be screened.
On the other hand - provided there are still luggage trolleys and assistance for disabled travelers is available, why not? Heck - I have moaned loud and often that I could have brought tons of additional stuff on a recent flight. But the excess luggage premium was steep. If I really would have unlimited carry-on luggage, I'll gladly carry my stuff to the plane. Then again "unlimited" has, in my experience, always been limited by some terms and conditions. So let's just wait and see what Ryanair will actually propose.
Comments
I suppose if I wanted a guaranteed spot for my luggage, I’d just have to buy it a seat.
With some people paying more for their extra checked bags on Ryan Air than they did for their seats, it makes sense.