Luggage vs Airlines

[Dopey's MIL]

The new luggage rules are pretty strict...

Has anyone had any problems with over sized or luggage weighing more than 50 lbs? My large bag that I am going to check weighs 10 pounds by itself.

And carry on...mine are the right size but stuffed so they bulge a bit.

Any advice?

 

[Cadillac_Dreamgirl]

how about adding those extra things on another persons luggage..


If someone is paying for a seat even a toddler....he has right to his own carryon..

are u traveling with any family members?

 

[4Ollies]

I have friends who had to pay big bucks for luggage over 50 pounds. They take it pretty seriously. I can't remember how much they had to pay, but bet it would be cheaper to pay $25 several airlines require for second bags.
Flying is becoming a royal pain!

 

[Dopey's MIL]

I'm traveling with a group of 10. But just the thought of having all that luggage for a few pounds over really stinks. And none of us really live close enough to juggle and repack into each others bags. And then weigh them...

On United until May 5 (I think) you can still have 2 checked bags (62 linear inches no more than 50 lbs) 1 overhead carry on and of course 1 personal carry on. (purse, notebook, briefcase etc)

 

[Padstack]

My DW and DD flew out on United on Saturday and had one bag to check-in that weighed 58 lbs. The gate agent waved the fee because they only had one bag between them. Good thing too because the oversize fee is $50 and there was no way to remove 8 lbs of stuff.

The United policy is that as of May 5th each person (non-status) will have a $25 per bag fee for more than one bag. The overweight fee will increase to $85, I think up to 60 lbs and then the fee increases to $100 for up to 70 lbs.

Edit: Oversize bags fee will be $100 for any bag over 50 lbs after May 5th.

 

[ballarinamom]

Could you borrow a lighter weight suitcase? 10 lbs seems pretty heavy

 

[Queenbillabong]

You will get dinged if it is over the weight. We were in LAX and had to "redistribute" our suitcases right then and there to avoid paying for an overweight suitcase - which is a LOT of money!

For carry on, they do measure by placing it into something. If it bulges over, I would try and stack it better or if someone else has room, get them to carry it. You can have one carry on and your purse, so I never have a problem...

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

We flew Alaska Airlines in March and one of our bags was at 53lbs and we had to redistribute right there or pay $50 for the overage. I have a bag that packs pretty flat, so I stick it in the suitcase, so that I can throw the extra stuff in there and check another bag if neccessary. But this is traveling with 3 other people so we have plenty of "baggage allowence" left. I think almost all airlines are pretty strict with the 50lb limit.

 

[bumbershoot]

My DW and DD flew out on United on Saturday and had one bag to check-in that weighed 58 lbs. The gate agent waved the fee because they only had one bag between them. Good thing too because the oversize fee is $50 and there was no way to remove 8 lbs of stuff.

Wow, they were lucky! I hang out on the Transportation board a lot, and that's the first time I've heard of someone having that ee waived. They might want to pick up another bag, just in case the agent on their way home isn't so nice.

I would think the weight thing is so that weight is distributed, and so they can easily figure out where to put things. So one massive suitcase of 100lbs is different for distribution than 2 50 lb bags.

I only have soft-sided, light luggage now. Love love love ricksteves.com and his luggage store, his soft-sided, no wheels bags and a carry-on too. That's all we have!

 

[Padstack]

Wow, they were lucky! I hang out on the Transportation board a lot, and that's the first time I've heard of someone having that ee waived. They might want to pick up another bag, just in case the agent on their way home isn't so nice.

I would think the weight thing is so that weight is distributed, and so they can easily figure out where to put things. So one massive suitcase of 100lbs is different for distribution than 2 50 lb bags.

They were very lucky as that was the first time I have heard of it happening as well. They are getting an extra bag from a relative to use on th flight back.

Another reason that was given was the total weight in the plane. The more weight, the more fuel is expended during the flight. Knowing that it will cost a huge amount of money for over 50 lbs. some may opt to leave a few things behind instead of another bag, which also explains the $25 bag fee being implemented in May. It pretty much forces people to pack one bag under 50 lbs.

 

[DevilDuckie]

I would think the weight thing is so that weight is distributed, and so they can easily figure out where to put things. So one massive suitcase of 100lbs is different for distribution than 2 50 lb bags.

It also involves job descriptions. "Able to lift 50 lbs." is a common requirement but while you can reasonably ask for that it becomes much more difficult to hire people who can lift 60-100 pounds repeatedly without injury.

 

[Rapunsel]

You need to check the website for United airlines $25 fee. It all depends on when and which kind of ticket that you purchase.

I'd just suggest to pack lighter and rememebr that the scales at the airport can some times be off. On our home scale it can be 48lbs. and get it to the airport and it is 53lbs.

One time I even busted open a suitcase in the middle of the airport to take stuff out. After I told the United ticket agent that his scale was off by 5lbs. He thought I was going to pay the overage of $75. Don't mess with a 7 month pregnant woman.

 

[Dopey's MIL]

You need to check the website for United airlines $25 fee. It all depends on when and which kind of ticket that you purchase.

I'd just suggest to pack lighter and rememebr that the scales at the airport can some times be off. On our home scale it can be 48lbs. and get it to the airport and it is 53lbs.

One time I even busted open a suitcase in the middle of the airport to take stuff out. After I told the United ticket agent that his scale was off by 5lbs. He thought I was going to pay the overage of $75. Don't mess with a 7 month pregnant woman.

Or a menopausal women with a messed up daughter!!!!