Gatwick Virgin, do they actually MEASURE hand luggage?

[Lindy Loo]

We are not going till 7th Oct, so fingers crossed the restrictions might, might be better by then, for size of hand luggage.
Our video/camera bag is 1/2 an inche too big ( deep ) Do you think this is OK?

Is it a visual check or do they actually measure every bag?


Also I want to put my handbag, inside my allowed, 1 piece of hand luggage ( its all within the requirments) is this OK?

sorry finally can we buy a book at WHS and carry it on board, in our hand, rather than in the bag?
Thanks very much

 

[patdavies]

Virgin may not, but security will.

The maximum size is just that - a maximum, not a guideline

Under the current rules, you are only allowed a handbag if it is inside the 1 bag. The rule is 1 bag, not 1 bag plus handbag

As for the book, I am not sure. As it is a US flight, you do get a secondary security check at the gate - again not the airline, but security.

 

[Boss Hogg]

As Pat says, I imagine that the maximum is that. Having said that I remember seeing some footage on Sky News just after the limitations were announced of a security guard forcing a backpack style bag into a measuring cradle, so if your camera bag is a little larger, you may get away with it.

I'm in the same position, my camera bag is about 3 inches too wide, but like you don't go until October, so keeping my fingers crossed.

Also, don't forget that the measurements include handles, straps etc.

As far as your book, I would think that this needs to go inside your one piece of hand luggage.

 

[Lindy Loo]

Thanks for the replies so far.... any more ?

 

[rosiejo]

Have the hand luggage sizes changed since the incidents earlier in the month?

Last year we flew Virgin and I carried on a small rucksack which was my handbag, a camera bag and a carrier bag with magazines in. We did twilight check in so they never saw my hand luggage at check in they just worried about the suitcases.

On the way home I had a small roller suitcase as my hand luggage with the small rucksack and camera again, and DH had a rucksack and the huge Disney bag with our wedding photos in. The plane was full so the air hostess wanted to take the roller off me as we got on the plane to put in the hold but it had my wedding dress in so she reluctantly let me keep it. This was only because the plane was full though and people were carrying extra bags of duty free and cuddly toys from Disney.

I thought you were officially allowed 6kg in the form of one carry on and a handbag or camera bag each. A small roller trolley suitcase (like the ones the hostesses have) was the maximum size - so quite big for hand luggage.

 

[Lizzybear]

We've always seen a sort of net cage with the maximum dimensions on it that the check-in person would place hand luggage inside if the suspected it was too big or ask the owner to do it. I think they've gotten quite strict on it recently as some people really do push it with the amount of hand luggage they take and there is only limited space inside the air cabin.

 

[Lindy Loo]

NEW restrictions on hand luggage off Virgins Website is

45cm long, 35 cms high 16 cms deep. Out lap top has 17 inch screen so our bag is too big. They say an average size lap top bag ONLY. But we measured and its def too big.
Our camera bag is 1/2 inch too big !

will have to shop for a smaller bag if things dont change before Oct.

 

[rosiejo]

I just saw the new restrictions on the BAA site ... wow! I hadn't look previously as we don't fly until November so I hoped some of the things might change.

Our laptop has a 17 inch screen too... better go measure the laptop bag!

 

[Lindy Loo]

Rosiejo................ hope its ok, our bag was toooooo big !

Fingers crossed it MIGHT change by Oct or no lap top for us, which is a real bummer!

 

[Leanne1977]

Can someone just clarify for me that my plan is ok.

We are a family of 4 so we are each entitled to hand luggage. We were going to take a laptop in a laptop bag, a rucksack with the correct dimensions for snacks, another bag for the childrens toys(if they are allowed??) and as my hand luggage i was going to take my Mickey Mouse tote bag which is smaller than the restrictions for my important documents and my purse etc.

Are we allowed to take this or not?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Lindy Loo]

sounds ok to me, though im no expert!

 

[susan1]

Can someone just clarify for me that my plan is ok.

We are a family of 4 so we are each entitled to hand luggage. We were going to take a laptop in a laptop bag, a rucksack with the correct dimensions for snacks, another bag for the childrens toys(if they are allowed??) and as my hand luggage i was going to take my Mickey Mouse tote bag which is smaller than the restrictions for my important documents and my purse etc.

Are we allowed to take this or not?

Thanks for any advice.

hi
i don't think snacks are allowed. i think it says no food in usa hand luggage.

 

[musketeer]

I was reading on the Virgin website that they are now allowing food but no drinks etc but if i'm wrong someone will be along to correct me

 

[Laurafoster]

At the moment so food or drink is allowed on USA flights.

Also just as a precaution - my friend recently tried to fly with her contact lenses as hand luggage - in the little pot as they are not disposables and had to leave them behind because of the liquid! just incase anyone is thinking of taking them as hand luggage as i always do.

 

[Leanne1977]

I checked the BAA website and it says no liquids but food is ok and it gives examples like crisps, chocolate etc.

I wish they would make it crystal clear what is and isnt allowed.

 

[Cyrano]

At Heathrow I saw people being made to demonstrate that their hand luggage was no larger than maximum and having to book it in

 

[susan1]

hi
well i'll just put budget snacks in, then if i have to chuck them it won't be too painful!

 

[traceycooper]

Can you take jewelry in hand luggage?

 

[Claire L]

hi
well i'll just put budget snacks in, then if i have to chuck them it won't be too painful!

Susan crisps, sandwiches and choclate are ok to take on board its just liquids/gels/sauses/pastes that aren't.

Claire

 

[Claire L]

I checked the BAA website and it says no liquids but food is ok and it gives examples like crisps, chocolate etc.

I wish they would make it crystal clear what is and isnt allowed.

Does this list help?

Claire