Weighing of hand luggage at MEL Int

[trentusjuventus]

Have read the threads dating back quite a few years on this matter, but just wondering does anyone have recent experience regarding the weighing of hand luggage before security/immigration at MEL International? Is it still happening?
I got stopped by the guy at BNE a few years back, but it's been a while since I've traveled through MEL.
Any input appreciated.

 

[Jleno]

Perhaps dependent on the airlines you're flying with?

Can't speak for international, but domestically, Virgin do it quite often and indiscriminately so it is a bit irritating when you stand there and see all others just walk on with their trolley carry on that you know is almost definitely > 7 kgs. That's happened to me a few times but never on Qantas, so if the fares are similar, I'll always go Qantas.

 

[TomVexille]

Only time I saw it was a two years ago. Was not happening last month.

 

[mannej]

Perhaps dependent on the airlines you're flying with?

Can't speak for international, but domestically, Virgin do it quite often and indiscriminately so it is a bit irritating when you stand there and see all others just walk on with their trolley carry on that you know is almost definitely > 7 kgs. That's happened to me a few times but never on Qantas, so if the fares are similar, I'll always go Qantas.

I think the OP is referring to a person who is at the entry to departures and enforces weight limits there (i.e I don't think they are attached to an airline). I know PER had someone similar, but not being MEL based I couldn't give an answer.

 

[TomVexille]

I think the OP is referring to a person who is at the entry to departures and enforces weight limits there (i.e I don't think they are attached to an airline). I know PER had someone similar, but not being MEL based I couldn't give an answer.

That's exactly what happened to me. Made me put my bag on a scale (11kg) and tried to turn me around back to the checkin desk until I told him to check his list of airline allowances.

 

[trentusjuventus]

I think the OP is referring to a person who is at the entry to departures and enforces weight limits there (i.e I don't think they are attached to an airline). I know PER had someone similar, but not being MEL based I couldn't give an answer.

Thanks mannej, that's what I was referring to, not airline affiliated from what I understand.

 

[Austman]

Have read the threads dating back quite a few years on this matter, but just wondering does anyone have recent experience regarding the weighing of hand luggage before security/immigration at MEL International? Is it still happening?
I got stopped by the guy at BNE a few years back, but it's been a while since I've traveled through MEL.
Any input appreciated.

They are still there. But the checking only seems to be done sometimes. I noted recently that some airlines, after weighing your carry-on at the check-in desk, then give you a bag-tag for it, with something written on the tag to note that it's been approved by the airline.

 

[kpc]

Akl are the worse for this

 

[Tawita]

The guy was there last Wednesday evening when I went through MEL for my flight to NAN. In my experience, they target people with roll-aboards. Ever since I switched to a backpack, I get waved through.

 

[jlien]

Yep I still see them at MEL intl. They do seem to target indiscriminately, in the last ~5 times i've gone through, i've been pulled up once.

 

[cambriamarsh]

Akl are the worse for this

Especially at the moment

 

[tuapekastar]

Never been nabbed by them, and AFAIK they are still at MEL. I suspect (but don't know) that maybe having an express pass would make them less likely to target you. The other thing I always do if I know my hand luggage is pushing the limits is carry it rather than wheel it, and carry it like it is light (even if it ain't).

 

[trentusjuventus]

Just as a follow up, I was at MEL last Sunday night for CX178 and these guys were not there, so it must be a kind of random thing as to when this weighing happens. Thanks for everyone's replies.