Thank God For That

[major_clanger]

Department for Transport rescinds ban on hand luggage with immediate effect.

Yes, Major Clanger, you shall get to read the cream of your book pile the next OU unit on the way to LA.

As an aside, if there is anything good to come from this, I hope it is ruthlessly firm and fair enforcement of the rules on cabin baggage size - preferably by security personnel equipped with chainsaws. "There, sir, your bag now fits our carry-on requirements perfectly. The off-cuts will have to go in your checked luggage, of course..."

EDIT As noted in comments, it seems that BAA will not be implementing this change until 0430 Tuesday morning.

Comments

[maureenkspeller.livejournal.com]

Bear in mind that BAA is not rescinding the ban at quite the same rate as the DoT, though they're promising to phase in (out) the changes as soon as they can. I anticipate lots more chaos this week.

[major-clanger.livejournal.com]

Yes, it now looks like the ban will be rescinded at Heathrow from 0430 tomorrow. I'm planning to turn up with a small bag holding a couple of books and my iPod and see if I have to put it in my main bag at check-in.

It also seems that online check-in may have been reactivated. I used this the last time I flew and it is an incredible time-saver, so I hope this is the case.

[maureenkspeller.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

(I'm beginning to think I would like someone to make me an icon that runs 'My government thinks books are liquids.'

[daveon.livejournal.com]

M used it last night, and arrived at LHR to a "well, that may be, but you're going to stand in that tent over there until you can check in..."

I sometimes really wonder about BA, I really do.

[fjm.livejournal.com]

Thank you Major Clanger!

[purplecthulhu.livejournal.com]

He beat me to posting this by dint of the unfair ploy of getting up earlier! Good luck for Wednesday!

[daveon.livejournal.com]

Plus they appear to be fairly anal about keeping you ourside until the last minute. M has been stuck in a tent for the last 90 minutes and they're still telling her she'll be ok for her flight...

[bibliogirl.livejournal.com]

Which terminal is she flying from? Terminal 3 seemed notably lighter on passengers than usual when we came through it a couple of hours ago. And they seem to be having trouble finding enough gates (we sat on the ground for ~25 minutes waiting for one)

[daveon.livejournal.com]

She's flying BA from 4 which seems to generate its own problems.

[bibliogirl.livejournal.com]

Ah, okay. Well, fingers crossed for her to get away OK eventually, anyhow...