Flying with hand luggage only

HazelGreen, as I understand the rules, coats, hats and umbrellas are allowed without draconian penalties by all airlines.

However, as they change their rules arbitrarily, who knows what the latest conditions of travel are?

I have asthma inhalers (there is liquid in the canister which provides the medication) and understood that these could be carried in addition to the normal allowance. However, I was once advised at the airport that they should have been in the bag. Which is correct?

Travelling this year with both Ryanair and Easyjet, it has been a minefield, trying to ascertain which rules apply to cabin baggage and handbags. The last trip was with Easyjet who, six months after making our reservations, emailed to say that handbags were no longer allowed on the flight. They also said that cabin bags could be taken from us and put into the hold - at the gate - if the aircraft was full. Annoying but clear, However......... watching the departures board, we always set off as soon as the gate number is known, only be one of the last to actually arrive. We therefore run the risk of having our cabin bags (holding all our medications, some of which are necessary for the flight) removed from us as by the time we puff up as the 'plane is full of fitter people's cabin bags. As no handbags are allowed, we would board the 'plane empty-handed.

I circumnavigated this problem by having a plastic carrier bag in each case, pre-packed with our needs for the flight. If we had been asked to put our case into the hold, I could then have whipped out each plastic bag and taken it on-board with us, whilst still adhering to their demands. This may be a tip for future travellers.

When did flying become such a hassle? I know I am digressing from the main topic but it really REALLY puts me off flying. I am terrified of losing something during the security process; of even being denied boarding as we were late checking in by virtue of not being fast enough to run to the gate in time (our two flights this year have been been from the furthest gates possible, one of which was a thirty-minute walk). I know we could have 'assistance' but we are not yet ready for that but probably will soon! I yearn for the 'old days' when flying was actually fun.

We had some relatives come to stay, who had flown over from New Zealand and were staying in Europe for three months. They brought 10Kg of hand luggage (each) and nothing else. I was both impressed and appalled at the same time. I would get so fed up of wearing the same few items of clothing no matter how many times they were washed. I’m afraid that I have never managed the art of packing light!

Buy them at the other end, problem solved

I think it is 100ml per item? That's what I always take and have had no problem, if in doubt shove it all in clear bags. Cheap ziplock ones will do.

You can take empty water bottle and fill up airside from water fountains. Yes jam and yogurt are considered liquids. I have special lightweight coat with 8 pockets ... two being the sleeves that take hat, scarf etc needed for winter travel. Duty free bags can be topped up with extra items and allowed to be carried in addition to carry on bags.

I imagine prescription medications can be in addition to normal liquid allowance.

We always travel with hand luggage only. I do not put mascara or camouflage stick in liquids bag. I decant everything into small bottles. I now take wet wipes to remove makeup, and take only daytime moisturiser. I am gradually finding new tricks to lessen the load both in suitcase and liquids bag.

I will soon be going away by myself for 2 weeks through 3 different countries with varying climates, so that is going to be a challenge. By the time I pack essential paraphernalia there is little room for clothes! I am taking a lightweight, easy to wash, non ironing, layer up wardrobe. If I have to buy more layers on the way, I will either check my case on the way back, or discard some items.

Gma29 Can I ask how did that work with getting through the scanner? I usually have a small case and a rucksack- one in each tray, with my cardy, scarf etc. If they piled it all in one I doubt it would go through (I always thought that's why I got 2 trays. I wasn't trying to smuggle 2 clear bags through. Although I did have 2 one cosmetics, one medication)

It's worth checking to make sure that your cabin bag is the right size. I have one for Easyjet which is quite roomy, but a special teeny-tiny one for Flybe. I always take two zip-lock bags full of makeup (including lipstick and cream blusher, just in case). Anything can be confiscated, including a completely solid jar of home-made pear chutney, a gift from my hosts.

I wouldn’t rely on using 2 trays. We have just returned from a trip and they scanned the boarding pass before putting it in the tray, so you wouldn’t be able to use 2. The sealable bag mustn’t exceed 20cm x 20cm and the maximum liquid is 1L (although I doubt you would get that much in the bag anyway!)

If you fly with Easyjet they do a little known thing called ‘hands free’ you take your hand luggage case to check in desk, pay £5 and they put it in the hold this does mean that you can take liquids any size it also means you do have to wait for your case at the carousel. Worth checking to see if they are still doing it as things do change.

Thanks again ladies, lots of good tips

Here's a boast. We went to NZ with only hand luggage for 4 weeks. We were traveling around so didn't want to be loaded down or risk it going missing.
There are web sites which help but basically you take enough for a week and expect to wash clothes.
Toiletries were fine and you can always buy stuff there.
The worst for me was sweating my way at singapore airport before I could take the thick jacket I'd worn to get to Glasgow in the snow.

maybe the only breadwinner in the family who will be very happy to take that stuff home.

Yep, but not quite so happy when she’s spread the blight round the whole family.

Hang on there a minute, petra! a) I’m not responsible for the wages paid to hotel staff and b) I tip generously, thank you, so would rather take my creams and potions home. And c) I have molluscum, so wouldn’t leave any to have it passed on to some poor unsuspecting person. That okay with you?

Used to do this couple of times a month until recent years (fly hand luggage only) - there are a few tricks to make your life easier!

A plastic see through ziplock sandwich bag that fits the sizes will be fine to fly with and lets you pack all this stuff before the airport. Remember the bag needs to close fully with the stuff in it to be acceptable, no stuffing the bag!

Never buy perfume etc at the duty free before security as it can be seized for “excessive” liquids. This is an expensive error!

Solid stuff doesn’t need to go in the liquids bag, so if you can get to a Lush buy a solid shampoo bar. Very good and don’t count against your plastic bag ‘allowance’! Likewise if your skin is ok with solid soap, Lush again can help you out there. They also do now solid shower gels which are a bit softer on the skin than soap.

Travel sizes!!! Boots now do a sort of pick and mix of travel sized stuff which is approved to fly and very handy for toothpaste etc.

If you have any sample sizes of makeup, perfume etc that are big enough to last your trip, take those in the bag. Sachets are great!!

Remember any liquid medication needs to go in the bag. You do not want that seized.

Your standard chapstick is apparently seizable, so pop that in the bag too.

Check the size and weight of your carry on very carefully before you go - aiport scales always seem to weigh a little “heavy” and Ryanair in particular have a nasty habit of letting you get to the departure gate before insisting your bag is too big and you need to pay the ransom, I mean fee, to have it checked into the hold.

Keep all your documents and cash on your person for the reason above. Do not accidentally let your purse, passport etc end up in the hold!!

Remember anything you bring back (perfume etc) either needs to go in the plastic bag or you need to check the whole bag. Again, this is an expensive mistake

They will take bottled water, coffee etc off you at security so clear security before stopping for a drink, snack etc. Tbh clear security as soon as you get to the airport - the queues can be unpredictable and you will not get to queue jump even if you are starting to run late.

Don’t be shy to bin any forgotten bottles of shampoo etc on the way back rather than pay the hold baggage fee. I have done this without shame in an airport once because honestly replacement shampoo is cheaper than a forty pound hold baggage fee.

They give them to you at the airport.

I use the zip-lock bags sold for sandwiches. They are just the right size for a couple of small bottles. In the supermarket with the plastic wrap and foil.

You can buy the smaller bags anywhere. But there is a large size clear plastic sponge bag that I think comes from Boots. It fastens and I think will pass through check points. You can get an awful lot of small plastic bottles in it. If you like you can take more than one bottle of something- just label it as different. So 'sun cream' on one, 'moisturiser' on the other but both are sun cream.

I got mine in Boot/M and S - they are see though plastic make up bags with a zip but I’d guess PL etc would have them

Many thanks for all your help and advice ladies, especially the link maryeliza, I’ve downloaded that. I shall go looking in Poundland and savers to see what I can get.

One more question (apologies if I’ve missed this previously), where can I get the plastic bags?

Maggiemaybe
Next time you begrudge leaving toiletries in your room, give a thought to the chambermaids who are on piss poor wages, maybe the only breadwinner in the family who will be very happy to take that stuff home.
If she's got say, 20 rooms, all the toiletries that are left will help her out a great deal.

Just a quick tip, NonnaW, if you’re not used to travelling with carry-on only. If you’re on a full plane, and one of the last to board, you risk having it taken off you and put in the hold anyway (the worst of both worlds!). So get to the gate in good time.

Always take carry on, it is great just getting off the plane and straight outside. However rules are sometimes adhered to and often not, like a secind handbag. I stuff mine into the case and wonder at others who have carry ins plus decent size handbags. Rarely are they stopped and asked to first these into their cases. On the other hand I was once luckily it went in.
As for liquids I decant into those small clear plastic containers, from poundland. The idea if a second plastic bag is cheeky but may consider. If it’s a beach destination I need lots if suncream and it can be very expensive abroad so usually we take one larger one between us.

It is a good feeling having only a small carry on case and not waiting at the carousel. A good discipline packing light!