WARNING - Ryanair 'online check in' farce

Pollycat

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

Problem is, you'd then get people coming on here angry because they were forced to the back of the queue because of their own inability to sort out their baggage before they arrive at the airport.

That's not really a problem - they'll just join in with all the other people who are angry with airlines - even though it's usually their own fault.

I don't see why I should have to stand and wait longer to check-in than is strictly necessary (I'm not talking about Ryanair here 'cos I only ever take hand luggage when I fly with them) just because someone in front of me can't comply with airline regulations.

peterbaker

Pollycat wrote: »

... just because someone in front of me can't comply with airline regulations.

Just to be clear, airlines don't regulate. They are supposed to be regulated. Airlines have Ts & Cs - and one airline in particular has a notorious moving feast in that regard. It often makes new ones that are different to industry norms and which cause airports an enormous amount of inconvenience for their part. It also creates false assurance by not enforcing some of its own rules particularly rigorously for years, and then it suddenly decides on zero tolerance to create extra income and for no other reason. Kind of a lure and eventual trap. I take it you are (app?)lauding notorious moving feasts, lures, claps(?) and traps, Pollycat?

Pollycat

peterbaker wrote: »

Just to be clear, airlines don't regulate. They are supposed to be regulated. Airlines have Ts & Cs - and one airline in particular has a notorious moving feast in that regard. It often makes new ones that are different to industry norms and which cause airports an enormous amount of inconvenience for their part. It also creates false assurance by not enforcing some of its own rules particularly rigorously for years, and then it suddenly decides on zero tolerance to create extra income and for no other reason. Kind of a lure and eventual trap. I take it you are (app?)lauding notorious moving feasts, lures, claps(?) and traps, Pollycat?

What?

Ok, maybe I mean 'comply with airlines' TERMS AND CONDITIONS' rather than regulations. :rolleyes:

Whatever you wish to call it, peterBaker, I'm talking about people who turn up at check-in with hold luggage heavier than their allowance, hand luggage heavier than their allowance, hand luggage bigger than their allowance etc - and therefore hold up the check-in queue for people who know their allowances.
I may have been guilty of going off-topic here because I'm not talking about Ryanair check-in as I only ever travel with hand luggage with them - as I stated in an earlier post.

And you 'take it' wrong!
I'm not:

(app?)lauding notorious moving feasts, lures, claps(?) and traps

and I can't see where you plucked this assumption from out of my posts.

connlach

Just another warning/reminder on this point. As a regular Ryanair user I arrived at Edinburgh airport later than I wanted due to traffic problems. I therefore was there 90 mins before the flight to drop off 1 bag. There was 2 check in staff for a queue of several hundred people. I knew then there was no hope of getting through in time so I asked a member of staff for advice who told me everyone was away loading aircraft but more staff would be on shortly. To be fair this happened and I got through the queue with about 5 mins to spare but this was only after people on our flight (which there was many)being called forward by the check in staff.

There must be a better way of doing this you would think, but anyway wanted to remind everyone again to leave at least 2 hours if you are carrying a hold bag.

gedebage

Always best to get there at least 2 hours before departure. You never know what's in store at any airport

Birdy12

I flew back from Dublin 2 days ago with Ryanair. While waiting in the queue to board the flight, a member of staff was walking up and down the queue looking at all the hand luggage. Around 4 passengers were called to have their hand luggage weighed and all came back with a receipt for the extra they had had to pay to put their hand luggage into the hold, (admittedly, their cases did look bigger than the size Ryanair states.).

Ryanair also stipulated that only one bag was allowed as hand luggage - something to think about when you've just spent a bundle at the duty free - you will be expected to squeeze it into your hand luggage. Although they do have a little common sense, a woman holding a paper bag with a sandwich in it was exempted!

peterbaker

Birdy12 wrote: »

Ryanair also stipulated that only one bag was allowed as hand luggage - something to think about when you've just spent a bundle at the duty free - you will be expected to squeeze it into your hand luggage. Although they do have a little common sense, a woman holding a paper bag with a sandwich in it was exempted!

Good to hear at least one airport is standing up to Ryanair's bullying with regard to the airport bought meal deal :money:

I have been told by staff at two other Ryanair airports recently (including Stansted) that their managements are afraid of O'Leary. On the upside, I very, very much enjoyed watching the Chief Executive of Manchester Airport however effectively giving O'Leary the finger on tv a week or so ago

PolishBigSpender

peterbaker wrote: »

Good to hear at least one airport is standing up to Ryanair's bullying with regard to the airport bought meal deal :money:

Bullying? Ryanair's conditions state that one bag is one bag. They were/are accepted by everyone that flies Ryanair. The airport is *paid* to enforce Ryanair's conditions.

I have been told by staff at two other Ryanair airports recently (including Stansted) that their managements are afraid of O'Leary.

If Ryanair quit a major base, the management would find themselves being asked very difficult questions. Stansted in particular would find it very difficult going without Ryanair - and given that Luton Airport would happily take Ryanair (as would many other small airports near London!) - of couse their management is terrified of O'Leary.

On the upside, I very, very much enjoyed watching the Chief Executive of Manchester Airport however effectively giving O'Leary the finger on tv a week or so ago

I enjoyed it too - because while they may be still a big fish in the aviation industry, if Liverpool and Leeds-Bradford continue to grow, then Manchester will be begging O'Leary to return!

peterbaker

PBS, your behaviour and the flavour of your comment, indicates you may be a Ryanair plant.

Don't expect Manchester to acquiesce to O'Leary anytime soon.

Yes, bullying. We Brits learn all about it at school.

PolishBigSpender

peterbaker wrote: »

PBS, your behaviour and the flavour of your comment, indicates you may be a Ryanair plant.

Yes, because Ryanair would spend money getting people to publicise them on internet forums. Given that O'Leary's cost cutting is almost legendary in the business world, I really don't think that they would waste money in such a way.

Don't expect Manchester to acquiesce to O'Leary anytime soon.

We'll soon see what the respective shareholders (the councils of Greater Manchester) have to say about the fall in revenue caused by Manchester Airport's stance. Given that the shareholders will want to see profit, losing flights in the current economic climate is...somewhat idiotic.

Yes, bullying. We Brits learn all about it at school.

In Poland, we aren't so mollycoddled and believe that people should do what they're told to do. If Brits can't follow simple instructions, then it's no surprise that jobs are going overseas.

Certainly, any business paying for a service (in this case, ground control) should expect people to carry out the service agreed. This is one of the things that differentiates a successful business (Ryanair) from an unsuccessful one (Woolworths or BA for example)