Define “One Carry-on”
Theoretically there is one airport security regulation for the European Union. In practice, this concept of European unity falls apart: you never know what to expect when you go through security at different airports in Europe.
Theoretically, travellers now are only allowed one carry-on (maximum size: 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm) on flights within Europe. In practice, it seems to be only airports in the UK which are strictly enforcing this policy, dealing a direct blow to business travellers who for fear of losing luggage never check anything. UK airports now employ “one-bag police” oh, sorry “security attendants” who command everyone queued up for security to check additional bags or get everything stuffed into one carry-on. If you have a standard carry-on trolley plus a laptop bag, you must stuff your laptop bag into the carry-on. Even women’s purses are target and count for the UK one-bag police as a second bag.
Perhaps unemployment rates in other countries are lower than the UK; no other airports have seen the need to hire additional staff for the one-bag check, leaving us 2 -baggers to sneak through over limit whenever possible.
Airport security differs in other ways also. Some demand you take your laptop out of the bag while others don’t seem to care. Sometimes I forget to show and tell my clear, resealable bag with max 100 ml liquid and gel portions. This can be a big no-no at some airports, earning you nasty remarks and looks from security personnel, while other airports seem to have a “don’t ask don’t tell policy”. Go figure.
At least in Europe we don’t have to take our shoes off for security, which just proves the old joke “What’s the difference between the US and yogurt? Yogurt has more culture.”
For more information on EU aviation security, go directly to the European Commission at: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/energy_transport/security/aviation/inspections_en.htm
Tags: airport, baggage, securityRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Travel
3 opinions for Define “One Carry-on”
John A. Cantrill
Nov 12, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Carry-Ons…here is an idea that should appeal to every traveler who wants more headroom on airplanes and is tired of waiting for fellow travelers forcing oversized bags into the storage bins. How about no Carry-Ons whatsoever? If every traveler, both business and pleasure had to check all bags, I would bet you would find that the airlines would be forced to make the check-on baggage system work. Bags would not be lost and they would be waiting for you at the loading point, which, I might add, would become a much more pleasant facility. Under the present system, airlines don’t care because only infrequent travelers like me check their bags. If corporations and business travelers demanded a system that works…the airlines would respond.
Jean Mercedes
Nov 14, 2007 at 11:38 am
That’s a great thinking-out-of-the-box idea! But which airline will guarantee that my laptop will not be damaged when it is in my checked bag? That will be the main stumbling block.
Kelly
Nov 16, 2007 at 4:44 pm
And what about folks who absolutely need “stuff” while traveling?
As a mom, I need to have books and other distractions quickly available for my children - we don’t want to bother our fellow travelers! And we need diapers, wipes and the like.
My mother is a diabetic and travels with quite a bit of carry-on luggage to house her insulin, cooler, shots and so forth.
The no carry-on rule is a nice thought but not practical.
What we should have is a no GIANT carry-on rule. And yes, business travelers are the worst when it comes to that. They don’t want to check bags so they bring EVERYTHING on board with them.
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