Heavy hand-luggage threat to passenger safety

sir – Brian Gedalla (Letters, June 15) argues that banning hand luggage on flights will lead to an increase in thefts of suitcases. This is a fair point.

But there is a serious problem with hand luggage: when it requires wheels on it to transport it to the aircraft due its weight and size, assistance is often needed to stow it in the overhead lockers. In the event of an emergency evacuation, passengers are told not to take their luggage with them, but some will try. If bags are dropped in the aisle, they could block the escape route and endanger life.

Geoff Adderley

Bridport, Dorset

sir – Brian Gedalla writes about the difficulties of insuring valuables in hold luggage, and he notes that theft of bags from the carousel is hard to prevent without checks on people leaving the baggage reclaim area.

I travelled through Singapore for many years and this approach was commonplace. All travellers were issued with barcode stickers that matched those on their bags. Checking these stickers before allowing people to leave was simple and quick.

Paul Shields

London NW1

sir – For those of us travelling on business, it is imperative that we do not check in our laptops. For those travelling with young children, a bag of toys, books and other distractions is essential, and for others a selection of books and magazines is desirable for even a short-haul flight.

For those of us taking lifepreserving prescription medicines, it is always recommended we keep them in hand baggage in case hold luggage is mislaid. Worldwide, more than 20 million bags are mishandled each year.

Keith Appleyard

West Wickham, Kent