Letter: Deadly luggage

Sir, The problem of carry-on luggage on aircraft is not unique to the USA (report, 2 December). In the UK, carry-on limits are frequently ignored by passengers and airline staff.

If the aviation community were serious about cabin safety, carry-on luggage would be restricted to small hand bags and laptop computers only. Luggage in the cabin often becomes unguided missiles, not only in emergency landings but during heavy turbulence. In emergencies passengers have been known to delay their egress by trying to retrieve their precious cabin luggage.

Professor E R GALEA

Fire Safety Engineering Group

University of Greenwich.

London SE18