Ryanair charged for case within size limit!

NFH

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

That case looks slightly on the big side

You have to be joking. It looks small to me. I think it's quite a badly designed case. First, it is only 55x36x20cm, which is only 39.6 litres externally, a significant part of which is wasted by very protruding wheels. Second, it is at least 10% smaller by volume than Ryanair's maximum size of 55x40x20 or 44 litres externally.

If you think it's big, compare it to my Rimowa case, which is 56x45x25cm or 63 litres externally, BA's and Easyjet's maximum size, with 52 litres' internal space.

bundly

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

I have a feeling that something is missing from this story.

That case looks slightly on the big side - is it possible that it simply didn't fit into the container?

Czesc!

You evidently didn't follow the links to the photos. :-)

The entire basis of my friend's objection, the point of the complaint, and the point of this thread, is that it fitted perfectly into the measuring container (as it always does - she has flown many times with Ryanair with this exact suitcase).

I've found out how to add a photo direct to MSE now.

But dziekuje for your interest.

"If it fits, it's free". Clearly, it fits, yet they have stuck a big red label on it saying it is too big.

Bundly.
(Half Pole)

bundly

And this one shows that her handbag (the white bag) also fits easily into the measuring container for your 2nd bag (i.e. handbag, laptop bag etc).

bundly

Pics of

(1) The agent wrote "three bags" on the boarding pass, but Nina had shown the agent that she had placed the 3rd bag inside the suitcase.


(2) Gate tag saying "I accept that my bag exceeds the cabin bag requirements..." Of course, Nina did not accept that statement: she protested against it.


(3) Gate tag close up.

Thank goodness she took photos and kept the paperwork!

bundly

And lastly, the snap she took showing that what had been her 3rd bag (the black, duty-free bag containing one bottle of alcohol) was placed inside her case. The agent watched her place it inside the case, then switched her argument from "Give me £50 because you have 3 bags" to "Give me £50 because your suitcase is too big".

I really hope this is enough to get Ryanair to refund her ~ and to apologise for all the distress.

victor2

Good luck with the complaint OP. I really hope you get a refund and apology.
However, it looks like the "3 bags" is going to be RA's argument. The passenger may well have consolidated the 3 into 2, but without a witness to that, the photographs don't prove it.

NFH

bundly wrote: »

(2) Gate tag saying "I accept that my bag exceeds the cabin bag requirements..." Of course, Nina did not accept that statement: she protested against it.

She should not have signed something that was untrue. Never sign a statement of fact unless the facts are true. She should have asked for a supervisor.

Nevertheless she was forced to sign the false statement under duress, i.e. with the threat of being refused boarding. She might have a legal defence; I don't know.

bundly

NFH wrote: »

She should not have signed something that was untrue.

I know it's hard for us, being native English speakers, to feel as Nina did at that moment. Her English is poor. She can have an informal conversation and perform her job, but cannot understand anything written in formal or legal language.

On top of that she was in a rushed, stressful, situation and was upset by the agent's rudeness to her, and utterly bewildered at being stopped and fined. The agent was very forceful and when you are being threatened with being denied boarding, when you are en route to be a bridesmaid and witness at a marriage the next day ... well, actually, I think even I would have signed, and I'm a pretty bolshy person, twice Nina's age and highly literate.

I have just been searching online for a flight to Krakow (for myself) and when I saw Ryanair's flights being offered I flinched. I'd never fly with them now, out of principle! Even though it's the best route and price, sod them, I'll go BA instead!

Bundly.

NFH

bundly wrote: »

Even though it's the best route and price, sod them, I'll go BA instead!

I couldn't agree more. Flying BA is much less stressful. BA treats its passengers like valued customers, not as a source of additional revenue at every point throughout the process of booking, checking in, boarding and flying.

victor2

NFH wrote: »

I couldn't agree more. Flying BA is much less stressful. BA treats its passengers like [STRIKE]valued customers[/STRIKE] human beings, not as a source of additional revenue at every point throughout the process of booking, checking in, boarding and flying.

Corrected it for you.
Basically, you pay your money and take your choice...