How to make enemies...! [by weighing carry-on]

[Justinf]

I’m not sure you can be angry about Qantas enforcing a policy they’ve had since the beginning of time, and that they continue to make abundantly clear.

Because people suck.
Once they get inside an airport terminal (among many other places) they feel they are more important than anyone else.

 

[Jo145]

I was talking domestically, particularly narrow bodies.

It's not uncommon for my bag to already be on the conveyor at MEL by the time I've walked from one of the far gates to the carousel.

WOW, I'm going to travel with you from now on!! I recall recently waiting 40mins and moving carousels 3 times before my bag finally appeared.

 

[Scott K]

It seems reasonable to enforce it. From a safety point of view it isn't just about the SWL of the bins. Another factor is for the safety of the cabin crew. Impacts from heavy items toppling out of bins is a real issue. For example -
Bin There, Done That - Flight Safety Foundation

Also, the above shoulder lifting weight for a woman is considered 7kg - and even then this isn't considered safe. This is a genuine legal issue when it comes to musculoskeletal safety. As there's a larger proportion of women working in a cabin crew, the 7kg limit is the most practical, as opposed to the 10kg limit considered average for most men.

Here's a table displaying safe lifting limits of men -
http://www.dontpanicyoureonlymoving.com/images/safe-lifting-man.gif

And for women -
http://www.dontpanicyoureonlymoving.com/images/safe-lifting-woman.gif

While you may be able to make an argument that the luggage is being lifted into place by the PAX, we all have seen this isn't the case - pun intended. On any flight I have been on, I have seen many crew moving, lifting and repositioning bags in the bins. Considering the over-shoulder strain will be repeated throughout the day, I can see a solid point for enforcing these limits as the injury risk is very real.

And besides. I really hate lugging heavy s**t onto a plane. Trying to wrestle through the aisles past kids, seniors struggling into a seat and man-spreading bogans with smelly feet wearing tinea catapults (rubber thongs) hanging out, the last thing I want to do is drop 10kg onto any of them while I try to gently wrangle my case into a spot between someone's $800 leather gucci bag and a poo-stained nappy bag.

 

[Cybes]

I feel that airlines being this restrictive works for a variety of passengers, but for others, when selecting our beloved national carrier, the limit is too restrictive. There is a general assumption that because a person has over the carry-on limit they are trying to do something nefarious, but as others have pointed out, you can have zero clothes in your carry-on and still have the majority of items in the hold, but still need to carry more than 7kg on-board.

Certain items don't travel well in a case that goes in the hold (not even with a hard case and padding) such as laptops, hard drives, dSLR cameras and lenses, etc.. and sometimes just two of those items can exceed 7kg, so just because someone has the need or requirement to travel with any combination of the aforementioned gear, that doesn't mean that they should then be denied of any reading material or items that help make their flight a comfortable one.

So people with no intention to be "troublesome" can have genuine needs, yet the airlines won't even allow them in most cases to PAY extra even just to cater for their needs. I'm not suggesting people are then allowed to pack 30kg of carry-on luggage, but saying there are safety risks with >7kg to me points to a flaw in the airline's planes safety measures, especially when other airlines can safely deal with greater weights by comparison.

What I find even crazier is that a person can pay them to carry over 100kg extra of luggage if they purchase excess luggage in the hold, yet they can't even purchase 3kg extra for their carry-on.

I understand the need for sized based restrictions as per BA, Easyjet, etc, there is only so much physical space, but this is not the criteria that they are going by here.

 

[Flyboy]

About time it was enforced.

Too many times when traveling Business Class domestically on Qantas has my overhead locker been full of economy passages overflow of carryon luggage. I have found myself looking or cabin crew looking for another locker to put my bag in.

 

[RobJ]

The only reason I like BA is their hand luggage allowance...23 kg per item! I don't understand why QF thinks 7 kg is reasonable when even some low cost airlines have 8 and 10kg allowance.

The only reason I like BA is their hand luggage allowance...23 kg per item! I don't understand why QF thinks 7 kg is reasonable when even some low cost airlines have 8 and 10kg allowance.

Having been hit on the head by an overweight bag falling from a QF overhead locker, I'm completely behind Qantas. I'm always amazed at the outrageous stuff passengers try to shove in and monopolise the limited overhead storage. Glad you'll be on BA, although as another post reveals, they at least have a safety net.

 

[sostopher]

I'm in the camp that thinks the HL rules should be better enforced, at least with some "common sense" policies. The huge bags some people try and stuff into the lockers, taking up room from other passengers, as well as a backpack or something. It's annoying how much time it takes up when boarding.

As for checked, I think Australian airports have gotten much worse (was waiting almost 40 mins for bags from SIN in SYD, then 20 mins in MEL).

 

[Cybes]

Having been hit on the head by an overweight bag falling from a QF overhead locker, I'm completely behind Qantas. I'm always amazed at the outrageous stuff passengers try to shove in and monopolise the limited overhead storage. Glad you'll be on BA, although as another post reveals, they at least have a safety net.

Whilst customers shouldn't bring over-sized carry-on luggage, Qantas also really should have a duty of care to implement safety protocols for such things too, to avoid this kind of thing from being an issue in the first place.

 

[justinbrett]

Taking a straw poll in this thread - it see
Qantas has made more friends than enemies with this move.

 

[Lynnelanne]

I’m a photographer. I regularly carry much more than 7kg in my cabin bag. So mea culpa. However in my mind it’s a risk/benefit analysis. If I check my camera gear (that’s well over $10k worth) I will almost certainly find it damaged beyond repair (and any repair would be costly and at my cost too). I don’t know any serious photographers who check their gear. What am I to do? I don’t see a solution.

 

[ozmille]

QF should increase weight restrictions to 10kg and enforce luggage dimensions. Some of the bags allowed onboard are not proper cabin luggage size and take too much space in overhead bins.

I have seen some shockers lately, one guy with a full size hiking backpack trying to force it in the overhead locker of a 737, it boggles the mind that the gate staff did not stop him go through or that he thought it would fit

 

[Cybes]

I’m a photographer. I regularly carry much more than 7kg in my cabin bag. So mea culpa. However in my mind it’s a risk/benefit analysis. If I check my camera gear (that’s well over $10k worth) I will almost certainly find it damaged beyond repair (and any repair would be costly and at my cost too). I don’t know any serious photographers who check their gear. What am I to do? I don’t see a solution.

This is one of the examples I am referring to in my own post. We can't trust luggage put into the hold to NOT then damage/destroy our equipment (or for that matter have it stolen). This puts the customer in a pretty sh*tty situation.

PS. I have seen some real shockers as hand-luggage goes that was taken off customers to put into the hold, it reminded me of a roller coaster ride, except the only things riding it were bags, at high velocity and likewise then brought to a sudden hard stop.

 

[VZ1_60]

I don't have an issue with the 7kg limit, however in my view there is an issue with the number and size of some of the bags being carried on board. The number of bags policy does not seem to be enforced.

 

[Scott K]

This is one of the examples I am referring to in my own post. We can't trust luggage put into the hold to NOT then damage/destroy our equipment (or for that matter have it stolen). This puts the customer in a pretty sh*tty situation.

PS. I have seen some real shockers as hand-luggage goes that was taken off customers to put into the hold, it reminded me of a roller coaster ride, except the only things riding it were bags, at high velocity and likewise then brought to a sudden hard stop.

Wha!? They’re all highly professional and careful.

 

[QF WP]

Good to know that it is likely to be screening for HL at the gates, as I start my QF DSC bookings from Monday (SYD next week and MEL the following).

Not perturbed if my rollerboard weighs over 7 kgs and they want to gate check it as I can move relevant requirements to my laptop bag for the flight.

I think it's a good idea they crack down from time-to-time, to remind pax of the stated eligibility. Those trying to continually flout the rules may be unhappy, but QF have no defence if a rogue bag injures another pax and it goes to Court and the finding is that they weren't enforcing their own rules.

 

[JohnPhelan]

About time it was enforced.

Too many times when traveling Business Class domestically on Qantas has my overhead locker been full of economy passages overflow of carryon luggage. I have found myself looking or cabin crew looking for another locker to put my bag in.

But that's about size, not weight, I agree, it's the size that needs to be restricted. I believe one heavier bag is FAR preferable to two lighter bags, in terms of having enough space for everyone.

 

[shuuy]

We heard about this on one flight...

Have there been others?

 

[mrsterryn]

As a leisure only traveller I do use the carry on allowed going over to my destination.
This would include 2 changes of clothing just in case and a spare pair of shoes.
I am of the plus size and finding clothes, if my luggage is lost ,in places like Tokyo or Hong Kong is nigh on impossible. Europe easy just go to a C and A.
Coming home usually carry on is much reduced. Down to cameras (husband only ) laptop (husband only)
Me I just have two tablets and an ereader plus normally hand bag stuff
I have been fortunate that my luggage has only been lost once and that was returning home .
For business people they would have even more need , I would imagine, for carry on faculties.

 

[Pug1]

I have perhaps a contrary view to carry-on rules in that I wish all airlines would rigidly enforce their own rules. Can't count how many times I've boarded reasonably early and there is no room in the locker above me, especially when seated in the front row. Many times I've seen enough "stuff" in peoples carry-on to last them a three week tour. I think 7kg is ample for carry-on.

 

[The Mole]

"How To Make Enemies" is a title that sums up this argument: people think they are entitled to ignore regulations. This has nothing to do with service - yes, overloaded lockers are an issue but the bigger issue is the extrodinary high numbers of injured Cabin Crew from pax who simply leave their bag in the aisle when there is no room and expect the FA to lift it, continue to ignore the restrictions behind the bulkheads and exit rows - simply saying "...you find room for it". It is not a Flight Attendants job to lift, move or stow pax bags - they do it to help and achieve ontime departures. The isue is so big that QF has opened physio centres in their Cabin Crew bases. Injuries from pax bags is the No.1 reported injury from crew - sliding bags, turning bags and even removing bags from emergency equipment stowages. I woul;d suggest abiding by the rules - we've had it too good for too long and now people are being injured.