Ryanair baggage allowance rip off

As someone who used to work for a Ryanair handling agent I would like to point out somethings that should appear glaringly obvious to all.
It is no secret that the airline will hit you for excess luggage and are very strict, the terms and conditions are very clear when you book the flight and are not in the small print as some have suggested.
As I say I formerly worked for a Ryanair handling agent and the reason I left was because of the amount of abuse and nastiness shown to me by many oassengers at the gate. I was called every swearword imaginable in all languages, man-handled by many and threatened with violence on many occasions.
My advice to anyone travelling with Ryanair is, please follow the terms and conditions of the luggage allowance, do not take a chance that you will get away with it, because you will not.

Why do people still fly with ryanair? is it really that cheap?
Better to boycott this company altogether and let them work it out. I do not need the hassle of a smug arrogant check in clerk who last year was probably flippin burgers, some of them resent dealing with adults and give special help to those closer to their own age group, Easy jet is another budget airline whose staff seem to be on work experience whose attitude belongs in the school yard where their attitude fits in.

My holiday was ruined last year by ryanair - I accept I was partially to blame myself, in that I had not read baggage policy (as never had a problem with baggage before when flying). Last summer we were flying from London Gatwick to Barcelona Airpot. Apart from my wife's hand bag we had no hand luggage. We had packed 3 large suitcases. The result being we were grossly overweight. Our cases were on the belt by the check in desk when they sent me over to another desk with a ticket and told me they will inform you how much you need to pay. To my horror I was charged £280.00. I remonstrated that was nearly the cost of the flights!!! I went back to my wife to see if there was something we could do in redistributing the weight as we had virtually no hand luggage (and was informed between me my wife and my 2 children we could have 10 kilos each in hand luggage). Unfortunately whilst I was at the other desk (surprise surprise) Ryanair had already sent the bags down the shute!! I was hopping mad but had no choice but pay the money (or be chucked off flight and forfeit a 2k plus holiday) What made me really cross was that we arrived at the airport really early therefore had time to come up with solutions. Ryanair offered no solutions , did not suggest taking some of the weight on board as hand luggage, did not explain we would be charged the same on the way back (until I asked). It seemed like a deliberatwe , well oiled ploy, in sending us to the fines desk and sending luggage down the shute!!! They seemed to be rubbing their hands in delight on having bagged my hard earned cash!!

You can send luggage ahead now for around £65 DOOR TO DOOR! I used Carrymyluggage.com earlier this year to go to Spain with 20kgs case and it was a breeze. Saw loads being stung for £20 per kilo excess (one guy got charged £100!!)

Have you -

- been ripped off?
- been a victim of unfair or sharp practice?
- paid for something that you feel was a total waste of money?

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Yes the flights appear cheap at £70 from East Midlands to Majorca, but beware the luggage cost is £30 each, at that price should have allowance for excess baggage 15kg is about as low as you can get

Just arrived in Barcelona, from Rome. Had to book a flight via phone, and found myself obliged to execute the online check in, but not only do this. But also PRINT this damned document. so I asked around in Ciampino airport. Ryanair workers pointed out two internet computers. "if you are lucky, they have paper and print, if not, it will cost you 40 euro." Well, the machine ate the first euro, took my USB stick holding the pdf to print, then offered the files, inserted by a former user, and asked 4 Euro and 99 cents to print one page. which did not work. ........ Calling the machine' s hotline, I found out, this machines are run by an English company. Ryanair refused to help. the police office later printed the paper, and I almost missed my flight...

Ryanair - low fair but not really fair. but well, just keep in mind their slogan: Ryanair - the cheapest way to fly. or was it the lowest ? lowest level ?

Well said Joe.

Ryanair is exactly what it says. I wouldn't travel with them because of the utter contempt with which management treat both customers and staff, and because they operate to extremely strict guidelines which puts operational personnel under pressure, which I believe is wrong.

They are an extremely succesful and profitable airline, I think their business ethics stink, but the rules are there for all to see and if you choose not follow them them you know what to expect. If you're not happy with the above, travel with another airline.

They have come in for severe criticism for their charging structure particularly in respect of credit cards, but nobody is forced to travel with them.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9e67a79e-f96b-11de-8085-00144feab49a.html?nclick_check=1

http://tinyurl.com/ybl9hq5

1. I think you'll find they will not "LITERALLY come down on you like a ton of bricks" , I am pretty sure you could tell the difference between that and a fine of 80 Euros.
2. You didn't bother to weigh your luggage, you exceeded their very clear and well known weight guidelines, what did you expect?

This is how they keep the APPARENT costs down, by heavily overcharging people who cant be bothered (on your own admission) to stick to their rules.

You also asked "Why can’t they be a bit more lenient with the weight allowance", and the answer is
1. So they can make some money, you don't think they make a profit on 1p flights do you?
2. If they were lenient for up to 5kg, then you'd find people whinging 'but mine was only 6kg thats not fair why am I being charged its only an extra 1kg. This would apply whatever the limit.
Do yourself a favour and buy travel luggage scales next time.

Kenny - fly BA. No hassles such as this, free drinks, travel from Heathrow. Might be a few more quid but it's fully worth it.

£70 to checkin 2 cases at the airport and the same on the return flight RIPOFFAIR!