I am sure you are all aware of the joys of travlling on budget airlines, but the Irish airline RyanAir has added a new twist to its methods of getting you to pay for its ‘free’/cheap tickets.

(http://www.ryanair.com/)

What size is carry-on luggage ? In a bid to escape the long lines at airports, many of us have bought the ‘’industry standard’ carry-on size baggage. - You know the small size as those used by the flight crew. Well, Ryanair has unilaterally changed the allowance size for this piece of luggage. And starting just before this Holiday Season, they have started to enforce it wherever they are able.

At an airport like Glasgow Prestwick, where they are the prime carrier, you will be stopped at the security barrier, and have your bag checked against the ‘RyanAir standard’. (20, instead of standard 25 cms, x55x45cms) If it does not fit, you will need to return to the checkin counter, check the bag, go to a second counter and pay cash only for the extra charge (30 sterling), return to the checkin counter to verify payment, and then again proceed to security.

This introduces a number of problems. You have opted to book in online to save the check in fee at the airport - as such, you are allowed to arrive later. The need to then visit three counters before being able to proceed through security means that you may miss your flight! Then, the fact that the baggage fee needs to be paid in cash only, poses a problem for a lot of people - after all, you are leaving the country. No payment, no flight! Should you find the check in counter closed, you will be faced with the choice of leaving your luggage behind, or missing your flight. I watched a party of Italians unloading their Christmas gift purchases, in order to make their bag fit the standardising frame, as the check in counter had shut 50 minutes before we took off. The gifts were left on a nearby table, to be enjoyed by security guards.