Are any US Airlines asking you to weigh your carryon bags at the ticket counter?

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Last Thursday when we were flying WestJet from Tampa - Toronto the ticket agent asked us to weigh our carryon bags, which is something they never asked before and they said it was new since the attempted boming on Christmas Day. Now I realize sometimes at the gate they can stop you and make you put it in that thing to make sure it fits in the overhead and etc, however this was nothing like that. Anyway according to them carryon bag was 6lbs overweight and they said I might need to check it, although they also said it would be up to the TSA agent standing at the tram entrance who looks at them to know for sure if we need to go back and check-it. Anyway the agent was looking at a specific flap with a zipper and said it was ok to go through so I didn't need to check it. So I am wondering are there any Airlines in the United States that are asking passengers to weigh their carryon bags at the ticket counter?

 

[Lewisc]

Many US Airlines don't have a weight restriction applicable to carry on bags. Why don't you first do research and limit your request to passengers of the specific airlines with weight restrictions.

No reason to weigh a bag if there is no weight limit.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Well when I was in Clearwater and would check the WestJet site for any updates since the attempted boming on Christmas Day, they never said anything about weighing carryon bags at the Airport ticket counters. So when they told us they needed to be weighed and be no more then 20lbs, it was a surprise because we weren't expecting them to say that.

 

[crashbb]

Well when I was in Clearwater and would check the WestJet site for any updates since the attempted boming on Christmas Day, they never said anything about weighing carryon bags at the Airport ticket counters. So when they told us they needed to be weighed and be no more then 20lbs, it was a surprise because we weren't expecting them to say that.

The website very clearly states the maximum size and weight of the carry-on bags (though it states 10kg which is about 22lbs). It is right on the front page.

http://www.westjet.com/

and here:

http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/travelInfo/travelInformation/travelAdvisories.shtml

and here (and this one was there long before the Christmas Day incident):

http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/travelInfo/baggageInformation/scheduledFlights.shtml

True, it doesn't state that they will weigh it at the counter, but having given the weights, it is your duty to make sure you baggage is within the limits.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Well then I obviously missed seeing that on their website so that was my mistake.

Now even though it doesn't state that the bags will be weighed at the counter where else could it be done, because they didn't have any electronic scales before enter the tram area (At TPA they have a TSA agent standing there checking ID's, boarding passes and carryon bags) and in the TSA screening area. Plus they don't have them at the gates and the only thing they have is that luggage holder where you insert it in.

Finally if that travel advisorie was posted before Christmas Day would you say the WestJet agent in Tampa was incorrect when she said it was a new policy since the attempted boming on Christmas Day? Also on that subject if it's not new how come it wasn't mentioned when we flew out of Toronto?

 

[shocker]

Yep, carryons do have and have had for some time had weight limits. I have, however, never seen them enforced. So, looks like things they are a changin'.

 

[Anal Annie]

I think the only time we ever had weight restrictions was on Hawaiian Air. It was about 25 or 26 Lbs. We had 2 carry-ons...one was a duffle that was packed with some snacks & those handy dandy squishy neck roll pillows (which now get left at home because we need the carry-ons to actually carry STUFF). The other bag was a traditional style pilot case - but very heavy & well made...probably weighed 10 Lbs empty. Anyway, that one had all of our toiletries & stuff in it. THAT one weighed like 30 Lbs while the duffle weighed like 15 Lbs. They made us dump everything out & re-arrange how they were packed right there in the line. The alternative was to check the heavier bag. It was pretty funny to me tho 'cuz it was all still the same stuff and the same weight in the end, just re-arranged!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well then I obviously missed seeing that on their website so that was my mistake.

Now even though it doesn't state that the bags will be weighed at the counter where else could it be done, because they didn't have any electronic scales before enter the tram area (At TPA they have a TSA agent standing there checking ID's, boarding passes and carryon bags) and in the TSA screening area. Plus they don't have them at the gates and the only thing they have is that luggage holder where you insert it in.

Correct. At the check-in counter is the ONLY place luggage could POSSIBLY be weighed, for all the reasons you provide. No idea why the counter agent said the final decision would be up to the TSA; those agents aren't concerned with the weight of any luggage. That's the airlines' concerns.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Correct. At the check-in counter is the ONLY place luggage could POSSIBLY be weighed, for all the reasons you provide. No idea why the counter agent said the final decision would be up to the TSA; those agents aren't concerned with the weight of any luggage. That's the airlines' concerns.

I don't know why but since I packed my pin bags in there I was happy to keep it with me and not check it. Although like I said before the TSA agent did look at a specific section of my carryon bag before letting us get onto the tram for security.

 

[bumbershoot]

Although like I said before the TSA agent did look at a specific section of my carryon bag before letting us get onto the tram for security.

FWIW, when I read your first post, I thought you were referring to the ticket agent, NOT the TSA agent. All you said was "the agent", after using both ticket and TSA before agent in the sentences before. Thought you'd like to know that at least one person totally did NOT catch that it was the TSA agent checking the flap of the bag. Couldn't figure out why the ticket agent was doing that!

 

[Lewisc]

Well when I was in Clearwater and would check the WestJet site for any updates since the attempted boming on Christmas Day, they never said anything about weighing carryon bags at the Airport ticket counters. So when they told us they needed to be weighed and be no more then 20lbs, it was a surprise because we weren't expecting them to say that.

You're confused. WestJet decided to enforce an existing policy. Most US carriers have no such policy to enforce.

There really isn't any need to provide a website warning if a carrier decides to enforce existing rules and weigh (or measure) checked and/or carryon bags.

 

[DebbieB]

USAirways' website lists a max of 40 pounds.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Maybe the WestJet ticket agent left the final decision up to the TSA agent because it's not like my bag was 15 or 20 lbs overweight. Now that's just a guess of mine because I can not think of anything else, although if they are now deciding to enforce this rule shouldn't they have made me check my carryon bag no matter how much overweight it was?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Maybe the WestJet ticket agent left the final decision up to the TSA agent because it's not like my bag was 15 or 20 lbs overweight.

Again, NO idea why the counter agent told you the TSA had the final say on weight. The TSA has no way of determining weight - unlike the counter agent who has a scale right there.

But "it's not like my bag was 15 or 20 lbs overweight"? Please. ONE pound overweight is still overweight.

 

[bumbershoot]

So....all of a sudden this applies to me. Well, my hubby. But since I'm the one that writes up all his travel stuff (since his company's travel agency seems to enjoy making things as difficult as possible) so he can most easily get from point A to point B, it's kind of applying to me.


Does anyone find it strange that on flights NOT ending up in the US, they allow a carryon and a personal item, both with specific max sizes.

But the front page with the advisory says that inbound US flights will only allow a personal item...but they show the dimensions for an official carryon? (and a personal item...they show both dimensions...but basically, they are just saying...only ONE item with you)

So odd.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Does anyone find it strange that on flights NOT ending up in the US, they allow a carryon and a personal item, both with specific max sizes.

But the front page with the advisory says that inbound US flights will only allow a personal item...but they show the dimensions for an official carryon? (and a personal item...they show both dimensions...but basically, they are just saying...only ONE item with you)

So odd.

Well right now when you fly from Canada to the United States you can not even bring a carryon bag, however when flying from the United States to Canada it's ok to have a carryon bag. Although for those flying without them what are the odds they will have them when flying back home?