Just walked onto a SYD-MEL flight where they were weighing every carry on bag with wheels on.
To say it was causing chaos is an understatement of the century.
I asked gate staff what was behind this and was told it was a direct request of the cabin manager, and not in their control. They were clearly also very frustrated.
I was then quietly told that this is all a result of baggage recently falling out of an overhead locker, onto a cabin crew member and caused “bleeding of the brain”....
I actually feel for the gate staff as they were in the line of fire, and getting some VERY average behaviour from passengers. Including one individual who kicked his bag and literally threw it at the gate staff.
If this bag incident is true, then is this the start of a Qantas wide crackdown..?
If it’s just another story then is this just a glitch in the matrix and a cabin manager on a power trip?
Is carry on ‘weight enforcement’ is becoming a thing?
Sounds like the same cabin manager that was on a Qantas Sydney-Perth flight recently - I received a number of emails about it from readers, and followed-up with Qantas, who said the decision to weigh bags at the gate for that flight wasn't one that came from head office, but from the crew on board. Qantas also shared that there was no plan in place to 'crack down' on cabin baggage, and from what you've shared, that still looks to be correct.
I live in the US, and flew to Sydney with AA over the weekend, then connected to a QF flight to Melbourne. I am traveling with a carry on bag for the week, and of course when I arrived in Sydney and had to obtain a boarding pass because of a system glitch in LAX, the QF Narks weighed my bag and made me check it, unless I was able to get down to 7kg. Obviously couldnt perform miracles. Honestly think 90% of carry on bags weigh more than 7kg.
Then I flew MEL-SIN on Tuesday, had exactly the same thing at checkin when looking at my passport - made me check my carry on again. Staffer talked about "safety" being the reason..
'Bleeding of the Brain', how unfortunate!!! I can see one day soon the CSM having a key to physically lock all overhead bins before departure and unlocking them on arrival. Can't wait for the PA from the Cpt. requesting bins be secured for push back....
To be fair, there are far too many people taking advantage of this to save time at the other end collecting there bag. Some of these bags would be well in excess of 10kg which is definitely taking the piss and being disrespectful to other passengers.
it is ridiculous though what people want to 'carry' on (ie wheel as they cant carry) - whilst i appreciate some people try to use carry on to avoid hold luggage and therefore delays it is sometimes crazy what people try to take on and should be policed to some degree - just consistently!
To be fair, there are far too many people taking advantage of this to save time at the other end collecting there bag. Some of these bags would be well in excess of 10kg which is definitely taking the piss and being disrespectful to other passengers.
I agree that people shouldnt be taking on 100 bags, but what is the different to anyone whether the bag is 7kg, 10kg, or 15kg? My bag is a hard case bag, so ultimately the only person it affects is me.
Ah, no wonder I was asked to check-in my 11 KG (duty free liquor) carry on when transiting in SYD to MEL from HKG travelling in C. At the time I thought it was odd, but didn't put much thought to it as the check-in staff was friendly and smiling...
On Domestic flights you have to wonder why boarding staff would be weighing bags for a 2 hour flight.
And most bags are carry on size but maybe with an extra bit of clothing inside etc but mainly business passengers who are travelling for a day or two. What happens at the domestic gate if the bag is over? On SE Asian International flights they will check it at the gate and you collect it with other checked bags. In the US, I've seen passengers carry a mini fridge on as carry on. In Singapore the little old guys grab you before you enter Immigration and weigh it. They take their work very seriously lol. On one International flight I watched a cabin crew member drag the boarding attendant onto the plane and severely chastise her in front of all the passengers to the point were the captain came out of the cockpit and told the CSM if you don't get the ground staff off the plane they will miss their spot and the take off will be delayed. Now that was interesting to watch. Sounds like much to do about nothing
This is always a difficult one. Sometimes it just beggars belief what people seem to carry on. I was on a flight recently where a young woman in front of me had a fully expanded roller case well above the size of any airlines carry on baggage policy as well as a huge rucksack and a sizeable bag of duty free and no one batted an eyelid. The roller case must have weighed 20kg. (I know because she was sat in the row in front of me and I had to help her lift it in the overhead bin). Yet in some cases you get ridiculous over policing. I would agree that 7kg is too little. The issue is size and the amount of space carry on takes. I’d be happy for that to be policed. Whether it’s a kg or two over the limit is less relevant (unless they start weighing passengers, but that’s a whole different debate :) Unfortunately people do take the proverbial and whilst this kind of over zealous policing is unfortunate you do know the rules when you buy the ticket.
ChrisB
ChrisB
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Mar 2018
Total posts 20
Just walked onto a SYD-MEL flight where they were weighing every carry on bag with wheels on.
Please wait...
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
Sounds like the same cabin manager that was on a Qantas Sydney-Perth flight recently - I received a number of emails about it from readers, and followed-up with Qantas, who said the decision to weigh bags at the gate for that flight wasn't one that came from head office, but from the crew on board. Qantas also shared that there was no plan in place to 'crack down' on cabin baggage, and from what you've shared, that still looks to be correct.
koji
koji
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
Member since 11 Jun 2018
Total posts 58
Sounds like an avenger. lol
pab2025
pab2025
Member since 25 Jun 2012
Total posts 127
I live in the US, and flew to Sydney with AA over the weekend, then connected to a QF flight to Melbourne. I am traveling with a carry on bag for the week, and of course when I arrived in Sydney and had to obtain a boarding pass because of a system glitch in LAX, the QF Narks weighed my bag and made me check it, unless I was able to get down to 7kg. Obviously couldnt perform miracles. Honestly think 90% of carry on bags weigh more than 7kg.
sgb
sgb
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
Member since 30 Nov 2015
Total posts 419
'Bleeding of the Brain', how unfortunate!!! I can see one day soon the CSM having a key to physically lock all overhead bins before departure and unlocking them on arrival. Can't wait for the PA from the Cpt. requesting bins be secured for push back....
Mightyreds
Mightyreds
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 Feb 2015
Total posts 69
To be fair, there are far too many people taking advantage of this to save time at the other end collecting there bag. Some of these bags would be well in excess of 10kg which is definitely taking the piss and being disrespectful to other passengers.
drsimon50
drsimon50
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 Oct 2013
Total posts 81
it is ridiculous though what people want to 'carry' on (ie wheel as they cant carry) - whilst i appreciate some people try to use carry on to avoid hold luggage and therefore delays it is sometimes crazy what people try to take on and should be policed to some degree - just consistently!
ChrisB
ChrisB
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Mar 2018
Total posts 20
I think it’s got to be the final grand standing of ‘old school’ Qantas cabin manager..*shudder*
moa999
moa999
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jul 2011
Total posts 835
Done from time to time, particularly on fully booked flights where room may run out.
Flyman
Flyman
QFP
Member since 22 Jan 2013
Total posts 89
Did the bags travel on the flight underneath? Or put on another fight?
pab2025
pab2025
Member since 25 Jun 2012
Total posts 127
I agree that people shouldnt be taking on 100 bags, but what is the different to anyone whether the bag is 7kg, 10kg, or 15kg? My bag is a hard case bag, so ultimately the only person it affects is me.
davidzuo
davidzuo
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 16 Nov 2016
Total posts 3
Ah, no wonder I was asked to check-in my 11 KG (duty free liquor) carry on when transiting in SYD to MEL from HKG travelling in C. At the time I thought it was odd, but didn't put much thought to it as the check-in staff was friendly and smiling...
Metoo
Metoo
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 25 Nov 2016
Total posts 93
On Domestic flights you have to wonder why boarding staff would be weighing bags for a 2 hour flight.
Brockf
Brockf
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 25 Feb 2017
Total posts 8
One wonders what will happen when this CSM’s flights are constantly late pushing back and missing spots.
Ourmanin
Ourmanin
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 08 Jun 2018
Total posts 144
This is always a difficult one. Sometimes it just beggars belief what people seem to carry on. I was on a flight recently where a young woman in front of me had a fully expanded roller case well above the size of any airlines carry on baggage policy as well as a huge rucksack and a sizeable bag of duty free and no one batted an eyelid. The roller case must have weighed 20kg. (I know because she was sat in the row in front of me and I had to help her lift it in the overhead bin). Yet in some cases you get ridiculous over policing. I would agree that 7kg is too little. The issue is size and the amount of space carry on takes. I’d be happy for that to be policed. Whether it’s a kg or two over the limit is less relevant (unless they start weighing passengers, but that’s a whole different debate :) Unfortunately people do take the proverbial and whilst this kind of over zealous policing is unfortunate you do know the rules when you buy the ticket.