Luggage Surcharges - Beware!

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Why in the world they would rather someone have two bags that weigh 30 pounds each as opposed to just one that weighs 60 - if they are both going on the SAME PLANE - I have no idea.

Which would you rather lift? 30# twice or 60# once?

 

[FonFon]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Which would you rather lift? 30# twice or 60# once?

Well...let me pretend that there are ten 60 pound suitcases vs. twenty 30 pound ones.

Gimme the ten sixty-pounders any day of the week...to each his own, I guess.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by FonFon
Well...let me pretend that there are ten 60 pound suitcases vs. twenty 30 pound ones.

Gimme the ten sixty-pounders any day of the week...to each his own, I guess.

You are a better woman than I. I will take the lighter ones, repetition is good for the body.

 

[gm]

it happened to me also.

It was me and my 2 kids and I had one big bag. When we went to disney, I guess it didnt weigh much but after we left disney and went to the Continental counter, They said my bag was weighing over 50. It was 70 pounds and that I would have to pay $75 or remove stuff from the bag. I took the bag on the side and removed my leftover Gatorade bottles about 8 and they reweighted it and it came to 40pounds.

I took the gatorade bottles and told my kids "are you thirsty" here ya go

I just left the other bottles at the airport. I didnt know how people would react if I just handed them gatorade bottle for free. Especially at an airport.

 

[JKJK]

This past summer, my 14 year old daughter was traveling, alone, from Seattle, WA to Pensacola, FL to attend a drama camp. Since she was flying alone, and since we were unsure of her situation in FL, we purchased a very large rolling suitcase for her so she would only have ONE bag to handle. Yes, we did this on purpose. When we were checking her in at NW airlines, we were so shocked to find that in addition to her very expensive unaccompanied minor fee, we had to fork over another $25.00 because her ONE bag was overweight. They told us she should have packed two bags. We tried explaining the situation but they didnt care. To avoid this coming home, we had to arrange for her to get a box to fill up with enough weight to avoid being charged again.

The whole thing stayed with me for weeks. After reading the posts on this thread, Im mad all over again! But I loved the comment about this giving the airlines the opportunity to lose more of our luggage! What a crack up!!!!! and oh so true!!!!!

 

[PhotobearSam]

Just checked United....50 lbs!

You get 2 bags at 50 lbs each.

Great...That means we are going to need 2 bags each for my DH and I...

 

[NancyIL]

We bought our college daughter a big rolling suitcase for Christmas, and didn't know about the new weight restrictions until she got charged $25 in January when she flew back to school!

Thank goodness international flights still allow 70 pounds each. The same daughter checked two large suitcases for her semester in Rome.

 

[NotTooGoofy]

I wonder if the strict limits on baggage weight has something to do with workers comp or insurance underwriting that states baggage handlers can only lift 50lbs/bag. That's the only thing that makes sense to me for having to move items from one bag to another to get under the 50lb limit.

I do read the newspapers and travel quite a bit for my job and this is the first I've heard of lowering the luggage weight limit.

Of course, conspiracy theorists would state this is a plot between luggage manufacturers and the airlines to force travelers in purchasing more luggage. Then they can split the profits and bail out the airlines!

 

[KaitlinsMom]

I don't know if all airlines have the same weight requirements - Maybe someone else may know - But I think some airlines still have a 70lb -

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by KaitlinsMom
I don't know if all airlines have the same weight requirements - Maybe someone else may know - But I think some airlines still have a 70lb -

I cannot help but believe it has something to do with union contracts and OSHA and workers comp. But, I fail to see how charging extra is going to help with the work/comp. If the limit is 50# and they charge you more, how is that going to help someone who cannot lift more than 50#?

 

[onecoolmama]

I agree with you all, it is frustrating. What I do usually is pack two extra bags..duffel bags, in our suitcases. One for the dirty lundry and the other for all the souviners we bring back. That way I never have to go over the limit. I also have bought tieckts for my DS2 and DD1..they both get to pack 70# of luggage each on southwest..correct? Not that they can carry them, but that will be good for us to know since we have to pack diapers and gerber graduates and water..although I guess we could do a grocery run with the limo once we get there..lemme know about the luggage..everyone who has a ticket gets two bags no matter their age correct?

 

[NADINENURSE]

How in the world am I going to weight a bag at Disney ? The problem is not going, but comming back. Of course we are buying the "good stuff" while there. I'm sure I can witttle it down for the 50lb limit going, but how do I know about what I bring back. Do ya think Disney has scales at ALLSTAR Music?

 

[jann1033]

someone mentioned earlier about disney shipping packages..do you do it when you buy it( like if it's going to your room? does any one know if carry on is limited also or is it just checked baggage.( maybe plan on an empty carry on for return home thatn would be 2 checked and two carry on per person, seems like plenty

 

[KaitlinsMom]

If it is true about OSHA requirements - then why is it for international flights the weight limit is 70#s? - Do they have stronger people working international flights? - Just being a devils advocate -

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by onecoolmama
I agree with you all, it is frustrating. What I do usually is pack two extra bags..duffel bags, in our suitcases. One for the dirty lundry and the other for all the souviners we bring back. That way I never have to go over the limit. I also have bought tieckts for my DS2 and DD1..they both get to pack 70# of luggage each on southwest..correct? Not that they can carry them, but that will be good for us to know since we have to pack diapers and gerber graduates and water..although I guess we could do a grocery run with the limo once we get there..lemme know about the luggage..everyone who has a ticket gets two bags no matter their age correct?

BTW, SWA allows 3 checked pieces of luggage per paying customer.
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/baggage.html
Yes, they each get three bags at 70# each. That would be 210# per child.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by NADINENURSE
How in the world am I going to weight a bag at Disney ? The problem is not going, but comming back. Of course we are buying the "good stuff" while there. I'm sure I can witttle it down for the 50lb limit going, but how do I know about what I bring back. Do ya think Disney has scales at ALLSTAR Music?

Have the good stuff sent home by Disney. You avoid the sales tax, although with the shipping/handling charges it is a wash, but, still a bit less expensive than paying for overweight charges at the airport.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by jann1033
someone mentioned earlier about disney shipping packages..do you do it when you buy it( like if it's going to your room? does any one know if carry on is limited also or is it just checked baggage.( maybe plan on an empty carry on for return home thatn would be 2 checked and two carry on per person, seems like plenty

You can only have one carry on and one personal item per TSA.
Not sure who you are flying, but, check their limits for checked luggage.
For Disney to ship you need to do it at the time of purchase.
There are, however, mailbox etc in the vicinity.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by KaitlinsMom
If it is true about OSHA requirements - then why is it for international flights the weight limit is 70#s? - Do they have stronger people working international flights? - Just being a devils advocate -

 

[frannn]

and you will not have to pay sales tax. If you buy a few things here & a few things there, etc, and them have it all shipped from your resort, you will pay both sales tax and shipping. What I am planning on doing is not only making sure my luggage is below the limit when we go, but also packing an extremely light extra bag. I will put DD1's diapers, wipes, etc in it, so it will be pretty empty and ready for souviniers on the way home. The majority of souviners will be purchased all at one time and shipped together from WOD. There is a certain amount you can fit in one box for a certain shipping amount, and you can also take advantage of DC or AP shopping discount!

 

[mikek]

the funny thing is they waive the rules for elite frequent fliers (at least continental will to 70 pounds)

But it is an OSHA/insurance thing. Ergonomics.

Anyhow, generally the ergonomists would tell you that TWO people need to handle packages or luggage over 50 pounds. So that's why they would prefer two 30 pound bags rather than one 60 pounder. So I suppose there is an added cost if they did in fact get more luggage handlers.

But i think its also an excuse to raise some cash. Lets say that they have to have 2 extra guys load/unload (a second person at the top of the chute and at the bottom)- one of the surcharges pays the hourly rate easily of one of these workers. I'm thinking they hit more than just 2 people per flight with this from watching the lines at the airport.