You have to give it to them for lack of consistency!!.
on check in at Bristol we asked if we could put one of our trolly hand luggages through as we wouldnt need it and we had a special assist passenger in our party, quick barked reply you'll have to pay we no longer do that free of charge, but they may take it off you at the gate if the cabins full....I promptly replied you wont!! ive offered to free up cabin space it WILL stay with me now and I made sure it did even though they struggled for space in lockers.
Low and behold checking in at Dalaman on return I was asked would you like to check in any hand luggage Madam...do you charge?...no charge....yes thank you very much you can have these. Its really not that hard is it.