WARNING: EasyJet methods now the same as RyanAir

tfc

I have never travelled Ryanair, having read about their attitude to customers and pricing and I don't agree with their approach. When I have been at the airport, I have watched their representatives methodically working the queues with their bottomless 'cabin bag', dropping it over each bag to find any bag which is more than a millimetre or so oversized, and then demanding penalties.

I have traveled with EasyJet since their early days, trusted them and felt that any price premium was worth it in not having to worry about these questionable practices.

However last week l had a rude awakening. I was met at the final boarding by a pair of uncompromising EasyJet representatives, who rather like 'Richard' Turpin, demanded £45, or else I couldn't board. My transgression was, it turned out that I had one small cabin bag, which was within limits, but also a small hold-all with my iPad and assorted cables. In the past 'one piece of luggage' had meant exactly that, and it had always been acceptable to have a small handbag in addition. (e.g. Most ladies would always have a handbag of some description.)

At first I thought it was a bad dream, and I asked if this was RyanAir. Perhaps I had just wandered into the wrong gate.

But no! It was EasyJet, and I wasn't going to fly unless I paid extra, or else if I could force the contents of one bag into the other. Unfortunately, in the short time that I thought I had available, I couldn't do the forcing, so I had to pay the 'highwaymen'.

I was not the only person forced into this situation, so it seems to be EasyJet's policy now and not a rogue customer service representative.

It isn't the money that really makes me angry. It is the way that it seems that EasyJet seems to have morphed into RyanAir, and the loss of trust.

To add insult to injury, the departure was delayed by 1 1/2 hours, because they couldn't get the cargo door shut. Having been around long enough to remember the DC10 Paris disaster, the subsequent flight wasn't without some misgiving. But, I am writing this, so fortunately it didn't happen again.

All this came as a complete surprise to me. I am so disappointed that, I have decided that will never buy another EasyJet flight again.

I want to warn others of this change to EasyJet's attitude to 'customers', or should I say to 'self loading cargo', as I am reliably informed that is how some airlines regard their passengers.

Kernow666

rules are rules and you didn't abide by them

soolin

Are you not going to run out of low cost airlines soon if you take umbrage each time one enforces their luggage limits?
http://www.easyjet.com/en/help/preparing-to-fly/baggage

All passengers
ONE cabin bag
Maximum size of 56 x 45 x 25cm including handles and wheels.

Surely it is better to celebrate the fact that you have always been allowed to bend the rules and have two cabin bags rather than moan about the only time you are expected to abide by the restrictions.

leylandsunaddict

In the past 'one piece of luggage' had meant exactly that,

It still means exactly that. One piece is one piece, not one piece and an handbag or extra bag. It's been like that for quite a while, and is not complicated to understand. If you want to take a second bag then you have to book a flexi ticket, extra legroom, upfront seat or be an EasyjetPlus cardholder.

Luggage allowances are quite clear and straightforward. At least Easyjet do stick to their rules, and that should be applauded.

Ryanair are also a perfectly good airline, for those that can read and follow what they've read. If you can't, or think the rules don't apply to you then expect some nasty surprises, with a lot's of airlines.

MCGONIS

leylandsunaddict wrote: »

It still means exactly that. One piece is one piece, not one piece and an handbag or extra bag. It's been like that for quite a while, and is not complicated to understand

"Easyjet normally has a strict hand luggage limit of just one item – so you can only take one small suitcase or handbag, laptop bag etc. It's a far stricter policy than some of its rivals (even Ryanair).

However, there is a loophole to get a second bag on, and it lies in duty-free, post-security shopping. In addition to your standard hand luggage allowance Easyjet allows you to take one duty-free bag on board (see its full baggage policy)."

Taken from this very website listed under 18 Easyjet tricks.

jetplane

I've always left room in my hand luggage for my handbag unless we've paid for legroom on a longer flight. I'm one of those onlookers who silently cheers when people are made to pay or put it in the hold, its a risk you choose to take

leylandsunaddict

MCGONIS wrote: »

"Easyjet normally has a strict hand luggage limit of just one item – so you can only take one small suitcase or handbag, laptop bag etc. It's a far stricter policy than some of its rivals (even Ryanair).

However, there is a loophole to get a second bag on, and it lies in duty-free, post-security shopping. In addition to your standard hand luggage allowance Easyjet allows you to take one duty-free bag on board (see its full baggage policy)."

Taken from this very website listed under 18 Easyjet tricks.

It's hardly a loophole, but I guess it made whoever wrote that feel they knew something no-one else did

Yes you can take a bag of goods bought airside (it doesn't form part of your hand luggage allowance) as well as your hand baggage allowance, as with most other airlines, but the OP clearly wasn't doing that. He just wanted to take 2 pieces of hand luggage which he wasn't entitled to.

If he'd had purchased the appropriate ticket/seat for 2 pieces he could have also taken a 3rd piece (a bag of goods bought airside).

Moto2

I can't imagine how the OP couldn't consolidate their luggage pretty quickly and easily if the second one truly only had an iPad and a few cables in it.

MCGONIS

leylandsunaddict wrote: »

It's hardly a loophole, but I guess it made whoever wrote that feel they knew something no-one else did

Yes you can take a bag of goods bought airside (it doesn't form part of your hand luggage allowance) as well as your hand baggage allowance, as with most other airlines, but the OP clearly wasn't doing that. He just wanted to take 2 pieces of hand luggage which he wasn't entitled to.

If he'd had purchased the appropriate ticket/seat for 2 pieces he could have also taken a 3rd piece (a bag of goods bought airside).

But if you do have a carrier bag from duty-free, it'll give you some room for manoeuvre when you walk through the departure gate. Some flyers report they've been able to stuff the odd item which won't fit in their hand luggage into it, or even a handbag – others say they've successfully boarded with a carrier bag they brought with them specially.

STOP trying to throw me under a bus.

balletshoes

leylandsunaddict wrote: »

It still means exactly that. One piece is one piece, not one piece and an handbag or extra bag. It's been like that for quite a while, and is not complicated to understand. If you want to take a second bag then you have to book a flexi ticket, extra legroom, upfront seat or be an EasyjetPlus cardholder.

Luggage allowances are quite clear and straightforward. At least Easyjet do stick to their rules, and that should be applauded.

Ryanair are also a perfectly good airline, for those that can read and follow what they've read. If you can't, or think the rules don't apply to you then expect some nasty surprises, with a lot's of airlines.

I agree - OP this is not a new rule by Easyjet, I've been flying regularly with them from Luton since 2007 and if I attempt to take a small handbag as well as my hand luggage onboard I am always asked (along with everyone else at the gate) to put my handbag in my carry-on bag. So I always do (usually long before I get up to queue at the gate).

SW17

tfc wrote: »

I have never travelled Ryanair, having read about their attitude to customers and pricing and I don't agree with their approach. When I have been at the airport, I have watched their representatives methodically working the queues with their bottomless 'cabin bag', dropping it over each bag to find any bag which is more than a millimetre or so oversized, and then demanding penalties.

I have traveled with EasyJet since their early days, trusted them and felt that any price premium was worth it in not having to worry about these questionable practices.

However last week l had a rude awakening. I was met at the final boarding by a pair of uncompromising EasyJet representatives, who rather like 'Richard' Turpin, demanded £45, or else I couldn't board. My transgression was, it turned out that I had one small cabin bag, which was within limits, but also a small hold-all with my iPad and assorted cables. In the past 'one piece of luggage' had meant exactly that, and it had always been acceptable to have a small handbag in addition. (e.g. Most ladies would always have a handbag of some description.)

At first I thought it was a bad dream, and I asked if this was RyanAir. Perhaps I had just wandered into the wrong gate.

But no! It was EasyJet, and I wasn't going to fly unless I paid extra, or else if I could force the contents of one bag into the other. Unfortunately, in the short time that I thought I had available, I couldn't do the forcing, so I had to pay the 'highwaymen'.

I was not the only person forced into this situation, so it seems to be EasyJet's policy now and not a rogue customer service representative.

It isn't the money that really makes me angry. It is the way that it seems that EasyJet seems to have morphed into RyanAir, and the loss of trust.

To add insult to injury, the departure was delayed by 1 1/2 hours, because they couldn't get the cargo door shut. Having been around long enough to remember the DC10 Paris disaster, the subsequent flight wasn't without some misgiving. But, I am writing this, so fortunately it didn't happen again.

All this came as a complete surprise to me. I am so disappointed that, I have decided that will never buy another EasyJet flight again.

I want to warn others of this change to EasyJet's attitude to 'customers', or should I say to 'self loading cargo', as I am reliably informed that is how some airlines regard their passengers.

The more appropriate warning would be to tell others to disregard everything in your post.