Absolutely shocking. I’m not exactly crazy about flying anyway, but I’ll definitely give bmi a wide berth now, probably more than they’d give their customers anyway…

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This reminds me of a story which popped up a few years back where many of the scales which weigh checked in baggage were incorrectly calibrated. If I remember correctly, the worst offenders were the budget or low-cost carriers. You can draw your own conclusions from there! I usually travel hand baggage only (except for the odd several week trip to New Zealand) so only use a physical checkin desk occassionally – but when I do, the scales often show something (usually a few hundred grams-ish) even with nothing on them.

I’m not surprised by this story and, actually, understand the airlines point of view on this one. As a former airline “commuter” on a “commuter flight,” many people did (try) take (often very) oversize bags on board. Those that got away with it, on occassion, often couldn’t get their wheelie bags to wheel down the aisle let alone into the overhead lockers. Staff attempting to part the offending customer with their obviously overweight bags were often sneared at with a “but I do this every week” line which solicited a variety of responses from ground staff (I guess depending on who they are and what kind of day they had!)

There’s no scientific proof for this, but nearly every offender I’ve seen above had one of those wheelie cases which can’t be scruntched up. The bag I usually travel with won’t fit into those measuring machines – but I travel so light and it can easily be compacted in the locker. A lesson for consumers there, I feel.

Personally, this strikes me as a fairly modest infraction and theres often some leeway in what you can and can’t take. It’s most easily dealt which by packing lightly (ie properly) in appropriate baggage (soft yet tough material, NO wheels) and, failing that, talking to the person. Obvious oversize bags excepted.

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My patent anti-getting-caught-on-baggage system (and I have seen this done, by the way). You will need: 1. A pillowcase and 2. A longish piece of string. And get Mummy to help you with the scissors, as they say on Blue Peter.

Place all your stuff in the pillowcase and secure wth string. Guaranteed to fit any cage. Additional benefits: Get a laugh when airline types try to tell you a bit is sticking out – just push that bit back in. 2. For ease of transportation, use a pole and tie the pillowcase to the pole. If you just pick up a branch at one end, discard and the pick up a branch at the other, this unique, hassle free system is also free and saves having to buy a case. Also, there are a great range of colourfull pillow cases available, so you can choose one that reflects your mood that day.

Seemples.

…sorry forgot – remember to recycle your pole properly and make sure you pick up a fallen branch. Also, use a natural linen pillowcase. In this way the system is also ecologically sound.

Oh! and of course, if you arrive and find that your holiday company/ airline/ hotel has just gone bust, you can stuff your pillowcase with leaves so you can sleep in comfort and you can use your pole to start a nice warming fire (but remember health and safety)

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thought i would let you know a few corrections to the article

firstly they DIDN’T knowingly put the gauges smaller it was proven as a design fault

secondly the CAA and the DFT have investigated and cleared baby of wrong doing and also did there own tests and there cases fited

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I think the CEO should do an official apology on this one.

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WoW! A design fault… Fair enough, but you would have thought that someone at BMI may have actually checked what they had bought…. it’s an excuse, but not a reason…

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Murray, isn’t a pole deemed as a “weapon”?

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