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SITE NEWS
Christmas 2008 is now behind us and as I type this the New Year is about to be ushered in. It has been a pretty quiet time as we readjust to our new reality of the two of us here in MCdV. I have a number of articles and images to add to this site that I hope to do over the coming weeks - I'll start with the comments on the right.
As previously mentioned, Sarahs attendance at more workshops is planned in the future and we are continuing with the marketing of her images, adding PhotoShelter to the existing vendors of FotoSearch and SmugMug. If you want to see the latest completed work visit:
PhotoShelter,
Smugmug
or Photoempt sites.
I have also started a design blog, commenting on design issues. This is a continuation of the 'Design Special Interest Groups' I used to have in my Design Studio in Ottawa. Feel free to follow my thoughts on Hardware, Software and Design issues at:
http://photoempt.com/wordpress/
This site will be updated, but infrequently compared to our previous entries. Enjoy what is here, it will remain
Ross and Sarah |
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Below a short rant on the troubles of using a Budget Airline. It was brought to the fore by my wife and daughter flying from Glasgow Prestwick Rome Ciampino and my daughters return flight back to Glasgow.
Budget Travel
More Ryanair Frustration : Bah Humbug
I am sure you are all aware of the joys of travlling on budget airlines, but the Irish airline RyanAir has added a new twist to its methods of getting you to pay for its ‘free’/cheap tickets.
What size is carry-on luggage ? In a bid to escape the long lines at airports, many of us have bought the ‘’industry standard’ carry-on size baggage. - You know the small size as those used by the flight crew. Well, Ryanair has unilaterally changed the allowance size for this piece of luggage. And starting just before this Holiday Season, they have started to enforce it wherever they are able.
At an airport like Glasgow Prestwick, where they are the prime carrier, you will be stopped at the security barrier, and have your bag checked against the ‘RyanAir standard’. (20, instead of standard 25 cms, x55x45cms) If it does not fit, you will need to return to the checkin counter, check the bag, go to a second counter and pay cash only for the extra charge (30 sterling), return to the checkin counter to verify payment, and then again proceed to security.
This introduces a number of problems. You have opted to book in online to save the check in fee at the airport - as such, you are allowed to arrive later. The need to then visit three counters before being able to proceed through security means that you may miss your flight! Then, the fact that the baggage fee needs to be paid in cash only, poses a problem for a lot of people - after all, you are leaving the country. No payment, no flight! Should you find the check in counter closed, you will be faced with the choice of leaving your luggage behind, or missing your flight. I watched a party of Italians unloading their Christmas gift purchases, in order to make their bag fit the standardising frame, as the check in counter had shut 50 minutes before we took off. The gifts were left on a nearby table, to be enjoyed by security guards.
Should you have made it onboard with your ‘allowed’ carry on luggage, and not paid the extra fee to board early, there is a good chance that there will not be room for the carry on luggage, and this will then be removed from you, at no charge (and with no receipt) and placed in the hold of the aircraft. The next time you will see it, if you are lucky, is on the carousel with all the other luggage. If it is not there - then what? You have no receipt.
If you happen to be lucky enough to be starting your trip at an airport where Ryanair is not the prime carrier, ie Ciampino Rome, the airport still uses the ‘indusrty standard’ sizes - so you will be OK on the flight out - you face these problems on your return trip.
So, when booking the cheap flight, check the extras, and consider these additional detractions from the enjoyment of your travel. Ryanair will charge you for any checked luggage, will charge you for overweight luggage, will charge you to book that luggage in, will charge you to pay with a credit card (ever try to pay with cash online?) and those are all extras, over and above the now normal security and fuel surcharges. Chances are you will find the regular carriers do not cost a whole lot more, and with these companies, you will be able to take your belongings with you, both outwards and on the return flight, making your trip around the same cost, and certainly with much less hassle. |
