How strict?

[ozbeachbabe]

A lot of JQi ports weigh the hand luggage then put an approved 'hand luggage' tag on it so if gate staff see it they know that it has been approved ie correct weight at the time of check in. I guess there's nothing to stop someone adding something into that carryon in between checkin and boarding although if the bag looked ridiculously full there's always the possibility they could ask to weigh it again at the gate.

 

[JohnK]

I just remembered a work colleague who hates JQ used them back in May coming back SYD-BNE and had carryon only. His bag weighed ~15kg. He was hanging around the gate and was unlucky to be checked and had to pay $50. Others who had turned up to boarding late did not get checked and got away with just as much.

Right place at the right time or wrong place at the wrong time? Too risky.

 

[Austman]

It's a risk for sure. But a tip for international travel out of AUS and NZ at least: JQi will allow duty free (and pretty much nothing else) in addition to the 7kg. So there is a possibility to "supplement" any duty free bag (they don't get sealed if you are only doing one flight out of AUS, NZ) with a few other (eg heavy) items just in case your carry-on gets weighed at the gate. Still a risk however.