Stansted Airport's 1 Pound Plastic Bag Rip-Off

MarkBargain

balmk wrote: »

There are specific security regulations which MUST be adhered to.

I think the security regulation is that cosmetics must be under 100ml and go through the x-ray machine, I don't see that the exact size of the bag and reseal strip makes any difference to security. If they are so worried about this, then the bags should be given out or sold for 1p or 2p maybe.

Meepster

MarkBargain wrote: »

I think the security regulation is that cosmetics must be under 100ml and go through the x-ray machine, I don't see that the exact size of the bag and reseal strip makes any difference to security. If they are so worried about this, then the bags should be given out or sold for 1p or 2p maybe.

Or maybe people could just take the right type of bag and then not have to pay anything at all. It's not as if the specifications are secret, the information is freely available, so if people choose not to follow the rules, it's their own fault.

Rocket science it is not...

Sooki

Meepster wrote: »

Or maybe people could just take the right type of bag and then not have to pay anything at all. It's not as if the specifications are secret, the information is freely available, so if people choose not to follow the rules, it's their own fault.

Rocket science it is not...

No it's no rocket science, but when you use a NEW previously unused bag that you have collected at another uk airport less than a month before and it's not deemed suitable what are you supposed to think when £1.00 is demanded for nearly identical bag that probably cost much less than 1p each to bulk buy I would assume that there was a scam going on. If I protest over the £1.00 I could get barred from passing through, miss my plane or even get arrested, I feel that they are taking advantage of the security situation and it unfair, nothing can justify this extortionate charge for a plastic bag, until they are readily available to purchase as endorsed to fly at a competitive rate which I'm afraid is not the case at the moment. (Sandwich) bag manufacturers could be quids if they made compliant bags but are probably quite happy for security bulk buy. I've often looked in the supermarket travel, cosmetics & food wrap sections and have never found the bags for sale. Fishy!

bagand96

Unfortunately the bag the OP took did not conform to the reguletions; therefore you needed a new one. However crazy you consider the regulations, they are set by the Department for Transport and have to be followed, by passengers and airports. The security guards were just doing their job, they have to confirm to the rules to, non compliance causes big problems.

As for airports charging a quid. Yes, it's blatant profiteering. However these days airports (especially ones like stansted) make sod all from the low cost carriers that fly there, so have to seek alternate revenue streams.

Meepster

No, taking advantage would be them specifiying a specific bag, which you could only purchase from the Airport Security.

Meepster

Here you go:

http://4kits.co.uk/resealable-plastic-bag-p-103.html £0.25

or you could buy one to use for multiple flights

http://www.ilgs.co.uk/products.asp?partno=15158 £10.80

Took me all of 1 minute to find them on Google.

ferf1223

Sooki wrote: »

I've often looked in the supermarket travel, cosmetics & food wrap sections and have never found the bags for sale. Fishy!

bags that fit the requirements are readily available in supermarkets nationwide - not sure where you have been looking?

And while it's annoying, I agree that the requirements are well published so easy to comply with...we use resealable bags from a pack we have in our kitchen - they are of a size within the guidelines and we have never had an issue at any airport.

Bob_the_Saver

Obviously I'm not saying anything about anyone previously mentioned in this post, but........
I always tell Mrs. Bob the Saver she looks fantastic without any extra cosmetics or make-up,
and then I don't need to spend a quid on a bag!

notwithit??

Although i agree that not all staff are consistent and some really do have issues with customer service! These regulations have been going on for quite a few years now and most passengers have their own ziploc bags and all have them out ready at the x ray. If you dont read any of the literature on the check in desks or at the area before security or indeed listen to the check in agent when asked about liquids, then unfortunatley you will have to pay the pound.
Some airports gave out free bags for years......They are not a charity, why should they not charge you? people have had enough time to get used to bringing their own. it is after all for everyones safety, the airports dont make the rules, The Dept for Transport does.

MarkBargain

Thanks for the replies. I travel by air every so often and just thought the requirement was that cosmetics be placed in a plastic bag, but looking on the Department of Transport I see that this should be resealable and "approximately 20cm x 20cm". Obviously anyone with a 30cm x 30cm bag would put the nation's safety at risk. ;-)

I stand by my original sentiments though that a pound is a total rip-off and threatening to take away a passenger's property due to a little plastic bag is very poor customer service by Stansted.