Travelling on Ryanair to Benidorm ?

The dreaded Ryanair cage

Well its a given that Ryanair doesn't stay out of the headlines for long .... and so true to form here is the latest! Those travelling from Liverpool's John Lennon Airport are to be "targetted" by Servisair staff, who handle Ryanair flights to be "vigilant" as they will receive a cash bonus every time they spot hand luggage that doesn't fit into the cage!

To encourage further diligence the money is only paid out when an employee reaches a target of 10 bags within a week. Currently Ryanair fly 4 times per week from Liverpool to Alicante - more in the Summer. It won't be difficult to catch at least 10 passengers per flight .... probably in reality double that.

Travelling from Alicante on Ryanair the staff are particularly vigilant and almost every passenger has to place their hand luggage into the cage at the boarding gate. I certainly see many being forced to check it into the hold and pay the excess charge at the gate as its doesn't fit. They have often denied being paid a bonus or commission but its been fairly obvious that this is the case to most people. On short flights such as Alicante, most people now travel with hand luggage only so avoiding the £30 return cost of checked in luggage. In some instances it costs more for the luggage than it does for the flight - especially if you manage to grab one of the tax free fares.

My preferred Ryanair travel partner!

A Servisair employee was quoted as saying "We're pleased to be honest - it means we can earn a few extra quid. Whereas previously we might have let a boarderline bag through, now we're more stringent". The company said that it is just one of many performance-based targets that are rewarded with extra pay.
Ladies remember, your handbag HAS to fit into your 10kg hand luggage allowance as it is considered as an item of hand luggage in itself. As Ryanair stated "All passengers are made aware of the single 10kg cabin allowance during booking" .

I don't think it will be long before this incentive is extended to other airports - it certainly already operates here for those travelling to Benidorm. My tip for your hand luggage is to go and buy one of those checked laundry bags for £1.... they weigh nothing so you get your full allowance and they squash into the cage - I always travel with one if Im on Ryanair (much to my daughter's dismay).Gone are they days when I worried what I looked like ... mind you, maybe I'll drop a line to Gucci and Prada and make a suggestion for a new range of luggage !!!!