Airlines, eh? They get you in the door with a flight price that looks like a bargain, then hit you with a wee list of extras longer than a Saturday queue for a chippy. Baggage fees are the worst of the lot, a proper slap in the face for anyone just trying to get from A to B with their pants and a toothbrush. I’ve seen it myself, a flight costing less than a round of drinks, then the luggage costing more than the entire trip.
That’s why I just had to chuckle when I heard about Laura Poole, a lass flying into Glasgow from Bristol. Her ticket was a modest £25, which sounds grand, doesn’t it? But then the airline wanted a whopping £30 for her cabin baggage. More than the flight itself. That’s just daylight robbery in my book, a total liberty.
Laura wasn’t having any of it. She said: “My flight cost £25… cabin baggage fees £30. That’s more than my flight!!! Can I afford baggage fees? Absolutely. Will I pay them? F*** no! (On principle).” And good on her, I say. It’s not about the money for some folks, it’s about the principle of the thing. We Scots, we appreciate a good protest, especially when it’s done with a bit of cunning.
Her solution was pure genius, a proper stroke of Scottish ingenuity, even if she’s from Bristol. She packed a good chunk of her clothes into a gym bag, tucked that into a Lidl carrier, then dropped it off at an InPost locker. It was sent right up to Dundee, to a Tesco Express near her hotel, and arrived for a measly £2.29. That’s what I call a win. Less hassle, more money in her pocket, and a clear message to the airlines.
It reminds me of the old days, when you just paid for a ticket and that was that, no fuss. Now it’s a whole rigmarole, trying to figure out what you can get away with. I’ve read about people wearing multiple layers, stuffing pockets, even using a duty-free bag as an extra carry-on. Hannah Cornwall, another clever traveller, said: “I love this, I have packing down to a fine art (stuffed pockets, stuffed neck cushion, a really nifty under seat bag and a duty free bag).” It’s not just about saving a few quid, it’s about feeling like you’ve beaten the system.
It’s not just about clothes either. Aimee Williamson-Cary mentioned she was flying to Edinburgh and wanted her own pillow, so she’d be posting that too. There’s something comforting about having your own wee bit of home when you’re away, especially if you’re staying up in Scotland for a visit. And why should you pay through the nose to bring it with you?
This isn’t a one-off stunt, mind you. Laura herself said she did it last year too, and Amanda Dunstan shared that her daughter, a student at Glasgow Uni, has been posting two suitcases worth of stuff back and forth for two years, saving a fortune. She flies or takes the train, but the luggage always goes by post. It costs less than £30, apparently. That’s a real testament to how ridiculous these airline fees have become, forcing folk to find alternative ways just to transport their basic belongings.
This whole situation highlights a bigger issue, doesn’t it? Airlines are increasingly relying on these hidden charges to boost their profits, making budget travel less and less ‘budget’. We see it with everything from seat selection to speedy boarding, and it’s a constant battle for the consumer. It makes you wonder what’s next. Will they start charging for the air you breathe on board? It wouldn’t surprise me.
It also makes me think about our airports, places like Glasgow, and how they connect us. We’ve got articles about new routes popping up, which is great for getting more folk here, but if the cost of getting your bags on board is higher than the flight itself, it rather takes the shine off the deal, doesn’t it? It’s a bit like buying a lovely piece of Scottish shortbread, only to find out the wrapping costs more than the biscuit.
While I applaud Laura and others for their cleverness, it’s a bit daft that it’s come to this. People shouldn’t have to jump through hoops and use courier services just to avoid exorbitant fees for a few changes of clothes. It’s a symptom of a system that’s lost its way, putting profit before common sense and customer fairness. Maybe the airlines should take a leaf out of Laura’s book and try a bit of principled thinking themselves, rather than constantly trying to squeeze every last penny out of their passengers. Consumers have rights, and perhaps it’s time for more official guidance on what’s fair game for these charges. You can find more information about complaining about an airline if you feel you’ve been unfairly treated.
For now, I’ll be keeping Laura’s trick up my sleeve. It’s a testament to the fact that when you push people too far, they’ll always find a way to push back, even if it’s just with a Lidl bag and a trip to the local parcel locker. It’s a quiet protest, aye, but one that makes a loud statement about what we’re willing to put up with.
Source: Glasgow Live
