Ryanair's perverse luggage charges

Westin

Redmanc73 said:

Does anyone know, if I travel to Europe with Ryan air but don’t purchase any baggage allowance, I check in online, would I then get away with boarding with a 10kg bag? How would the staff at the gate know? Is there a way for them to tell?

Computer at gate? 

CKhalvashi

Westin said:

Redmanc73 said:

Does anyone know, if I travel to Europe with Ryan air but don’t purchase any baggage allowance, I check in online, would I then get away with boarding with a 10kg bag? How would the staff at the gate know? Is there a way for them to tell?

Computer at gate? 

I regularly carry a 17 inch laptop through airport security in a rucksack, and it has to be taken out of the bag to be screened separately. Never had a problem with it.

A desktop PC would likely be a bigger problem as most won't fit into a rucksack. If carrying it through, I'd buy the Priority service (which often I buy with Wizz, dimensions are similar to Ryanair). Naturally I've never had to justify why I'm carrying it, as I ensure everything fits within the dimensions. It's worth doing this to avoid a fee at the gate.

Westin

What I meant was the ground handling/airline agents at the boarding gate have access to a computer (remember how your boarding pass is scanned?). This has booking information on each passenger such as if you have paid for baggage or not.  

Response was to Redmanc73 post and question.

SaveTheEuro

Redmanc73 said:

Does anyone know, if I travel to Europe with Ryan air but don’t purchase any baggage allowance, I check in online, would I then get away with boarding with a 10kg bag? How would the staff at the gate know? Is there a way for them to tell?

My experience is that Ryanair operatives charge passengers at the gate if they try to bring a wheelie on board without having paid for the priority boarding and baggage option, but take no action against passengers carrying oversized rucksacks on their shoulders.

ic

Your boarding pass clearly shows what you've paid for.  Often a member of staff will work their way down the line before boarding and check each boarding pass.  I've seen them tag bags for retention at the gate.  I've seen some right old arguments, as people think they can get away with it and are doing everybody a service by doing so.  If you want to carry a larger bag, pay the appropriate fees and then travel in comfort and without the worry you'll be caught.