Flying into the UK

[ShellyHall]

I am due to leave for Portugal on Saturday. I have read the new rules and regulations relating to hand luggge when I leave the UK, but does anyone know if the restrictions apply when you're coming back to the UK, ie. the return flight? My parents bought me a wood carving (about 4 feet high) when they were in Portugal last year and I wanted to get another. They just carried it onto the plane when they came home as hand luggage, will I be able to do the same this year?

[pingping]

it might be worth checking with your airline as they all seem to have totally different rules in place. Have a look on their website under latest news.

[Buenchico]

Restrictions on hand luggage, on incoming flights to the UK (other than from the US), remain unchanged after the events of last week. (i.e. incoming passengers, other than from the US, have continued to be permitted to carry hand luggage, with no changes to the permissible contents of that luggage).

However, most airlines have restrictions on the size of hand luggage which would prohibit anyone from carryng a 4 foot high carving. (Additionally, most airlines only permit one item of hand luggage so, if you've also got a flight bag, you'd still be prohibited from taking such a carving into the cabin). It seems that your parents managed to get away with breaching the regulations.

To summarise: There are no new regulations to prevent you carrying the carving. However, you may still be prohibited from carrying it if the airline enforces existing rules.

Chris

[tomtech]

i was wondering the same myself, im going to faro on 24th. it seems like security level has dropped from critical to severe so not so bad going out. but how the hell did your parents get a four foot carving in as hand luggage? how did it fit in the overhead lockers? my booze and fags only just fit!!!!!!!!