One hears budget airlines are a bit so-so but....

[ExFiF]

when first heard this tale, applied the usual exaggeration factor and wondered what the real story was.

Two people booked and checked online for a flight which closed at Monday 08:30.

So they arrive well in advance 05:30, around the earliest they could drop bags according to the rules.

Check in desks for every other airline all is in order, however for ****air, only two desks open, five flights departing, baggage handling conveyor broken down (probably airport's fault to be fair) and the whole concourse is a mess of passengers trying to check in, drop bags etc.

They finally reach the desk and front of the queue at 8:15 to be told, they are only second group to check in for the flight, plus the bags won't make it and they will get them on Friday. Which was a bit of a shock considering that it was now Monday.

They are given a few minutes to scramble and transfer few things from their checked luggage to carry on, which of course must still comply with the rules and then run through security to the gate.

Hardly any passengers there but the gate staff are pushing them to board, clearly intend to depart with whoever has managed to make it. Sure enough almost empty flight, about 50 passengers, but good news, cabin staff announce that all the bags have made it.

Of course upon arrival the baggage conveyor doesn't even start up, no baggage has made it. So another scrum at the missing baggage desk. Off they go to the hotel, which was apparently fine.

Call baggage next day, to be told bags leaving on afternoon flight.

Wednesday, talk to other people who didn't make the flight, but have now arrived, airline told them to go away, come back Tuesday or find another flight, no assistance with anything. Baggage called again to see if bags were on way, to be told they were now in Dublin. Why Dublin? Well that's what we do, they go there to come back again.

Thursday bags arrive so a day earlier than predicted, small comfort.

So hearing all this, as I say applied the usual travel story exaggeration factor, and cynically wondered what the real story was, then I found this from another group. Whose timings and events correspond with the tale as told.

So they really MUST be this bad.

Un-fricking-believable.

[LuS1fer]

Only ever used them once from Liverpool airport and they were fine both ways, albeit I only had carry-on luggage.

[Mark.]

It's the old law of averages isn't it. Going to happen sooner or later to someone, I wonder how many flights left on time that day and all bags arrived safely?

[DarrenL]

Unfortunately I have to fly Ryanair fairly often, as they are the cheapest to/from Austria. Generally I havent had a problem, but I just hate the way everything is "FORCED" e.g less then standard baggage, want more need to pay. Want food, need to pay, on board, buy out lotto tickets.

I keep telling the Mrs we should pay the extra and fly BA, but she argues (quite rightly, actually) that even with the time we save flying to LGW, we are still "up" flying with Ryanair. I cant wait till Easyjet start their peak flights here.

[ChrisBMW]

I have never used Ryanair and never will, I don't care how much cheaper they are the CEO simply doesn't give a toss about his customers and in any business this attitude will flow down to every other employee in the organisation which will translate into a poor service at every step of the process from booking your flight to the actual journey itself.

I'm all for saving money but I am more than happy to pay a little extra to avoid this company.

[davepoth]

I hate Ryanair with a passion, but sometimes they're the only way. I never, ever take hold luggage if I can avoid it as it's just so much hassle.