My rights with hand luggage

Luciedaniel4

I recently flew British airways and was forced to check in my hold luggage at the gate. This was prior to boarding and because I was waiting at the gate early prior to boarding. Although I told the staff member I had Christmas presents and daily medicines, I was told if I didn’t check in my bag, i would be refused boarding. 

Once boarded, and doors closed, there was more than sufficient space for hold luggage (around 4/5 bags worth around my seat alone). 

I cannot find anything in their general terms of carriage which suggests I would have been refused boarding should I not have agreed to my bag being checked prior to boarding and just want to know my rights for next time. 

Voyager2002

How large was your bag? You call it "hold luggage" which suggests that it was too large to be carried safely in the cabin.

Remember that airline staff have the right to refuse boarding if a customer seems angry or fails to comply with instructions, so the boarding gate is a bad place to start arguing about your rights.

Flugelhorn

Luciedaniel4 said:

I recently flew British airways and was forced to check in my hold luggage at the gate. This was prior to boarding and because I was waiting at the gate early prior to boarding. Although I told the staff member I had Christmas presents and daily medicines, I was told if I didn’t check in my bag, i would be refused boarding. 

Once boarded, and doors closed, there was more than sufficient space for hold luggage (around 4/5 bags worth around my seat alone). 

I cannot find anything in their general terms of carriage which suggests I would have been refused boarding should I not have agreed to my bag being checked prior to boarding and just want to know my rights for next time. 

I think HOLD luggage goes in the HOLD - do you mean HAND luggage?

eDicky

Hold luggage goes in the hold, below decks, checked in. Was the bag you refer to within the BA size limits to be hand carried on board..? Were you charged any fee..?

Emmia

Was your hand luggage over the permitted size to be taken in the cabin?

Not all airlines are the same in terms of what they allow. I also see a lot of "cabin bags" that really struggle to be fitted into the overhead luggage compartments often belonging to people who cannot lift them into the compartments themselves due to the weight.

stuhse

Luciedaniel4 said:

I recently flew British airways and was forced to check in my hold luggage at the gate. 

You title your thread hand luggage then in the question call it hold luggage.  You need to sort out this confusion. Hand luggage is usually below a certain sized as defined in the airlines terms and conditions.

A google search .....https://www.mybaggage.com/shipping/airlines/british-airways/

NoodleDoodleMan

Flugelhorn said:

Luciedaniel4 said:

I recently flew British airways and was forced to check in my hold luggage at the gate. This was prior to boarding and because I was waiting at the gate early prior to boarding. Although I told the staff member I had Christmas presents and daily medicines, I was told if I didn’t check in my bag, i would be refused boarding. 

Once boarded, and doors closed, there was more than sufficient space for hold luggage (around 4/5 bags worth around my seat alone). 

I cannot find anything in their general terms of carriage which suggests I would have been refused boarding should I not have agreed to my bag being checked prior to boarding and just want to know my rights for next time. 

I think HOLD luggage goes in the HOLD - do you mean HAND luggage?

As you suggest, it appears that the OP is confused and/or unaware of basics on luggage rules.

For example medicines should always be carried in hand luggage and taken into the cabin.

If indeed it's HOLD luggage that's being discussed - BA have no case (forgive the pun) to answer.

zagfles

Airlines have 3 categories of luggage:

1) Hold luggage eg big suitcases

2) Cabin bags which fit in the overhead compartment but not under the seat

3) Small bags, like small rucksacks, handbags etc that can fit under the seat

The max dimensions of each will be on the airline's website, they vary between airlines

It's only 3) that you're guaranteed to be able to keep with you on the plane. 1) must be checked in, 2) usually can be carried on but if the staff judge there won't be enough room in the overhead lockers they can insist at the gate that it goes in the hold. You shouldn't be charged extra for this - as long as your ticket type includes a cabin bag (some ticket types just include a small bag).

So if you have stuff you need to take in the cabin with you eg medicines, or perhaps valuable items etc, make sure you take a type 3) bag and check the dimensions for the airline you're flying.

thegreenone

We nearly had this yesterday for a BA European flight. 

Me, husband and eldest son had backpacks, youngest son had small wheelie case within permitted size.  We were the first to the gate and the lady wanted to take youngest sons case for the hold.  We said that this was all the luggage we had and, truthfully, our taxi meeting us had been told no checked in bags.

She agreed to keep his bag until nearer boarding, then proceeded to let in people with bigger bags with holdalls strapped on top!  Far bigger than my son's. She persuaded some to give over their bags and son was allowed his back.  

It appears BA are targeting first arrivals to the gate to get their quota.


  

silvercar

Often BA will ask for volunteers to check in bags and as a reward allow people who do so to jump to the front of the boarding queue.

eskbanker

silvercar said:

Often BA will ask for volunteers to check in bags and as a reward allow people who do so to jump to the front of the boarding queue.

....which seems pointlessly ironic when many are keen to be early boarders specifically in order to find a convenient home for baggage!