NOTE: Airline weight limits

[KKB]

On one of the trip threads, a DISer seemed surprised to find that Southwest would charge them a $25 overage fee if luggage weighed more than 50# each.
Do not be surprised! I have flown United, Delta, Northwest, Southwest & American since 9/11, and they ALL fairly strictly adhere to this policy. I have heard of the occasional counter attendant who doesn't enforce it, but consider it the exception. Some will weigh each bag, some will weigh & average. And it seems like the other airline fees were more like $50-75!
SO PLEASE weigh your checked luggage before you leave home!
(Delta did provide me w/ another box to move some items to, free of charge. Luckily I had only one suitcase to check, so I was still only checking 2 items)
They don't weigh carry ons...but YOU have to get it in the overhead bin!
Happy cruising!
Kris
10/24/04 Star Princess W. Caribbean
12/24/05 Magic E. Caribbean

 

[aprilgail2]

Jet Blue has a limit of 70 pounds.

 

[captaincrash]

We usually fly....

UAL or AA.... and I believe their limits are 50# per checked bag. BUT we usually curb check if we're lazy or if we suspect we're over-weight. This last flight we were clearly overweight and in a hurry. The sky cap knew we were overweight but took care of uswhile we watched (diplomatically).... no fee... and we added to his gratuity.

 

[Jsme]

A few years ago I most airlines switched to a weight limit of 50lbs per bag. I do not think most people realize this though.

 

[SchultzFamily]

When we flew Southwest home from La one of our suircases was 53 lbs and another was 45 so the sky cap just told us to rearrange something. DS pulled a pair of tennis shoes from the heavier one and put them in the lighter one and we were fine. From what I have heard most will just encourage you to rearrange.

 

[KKB]

Although we have been known to even drive to Kansas City for flights, especially if forced to go through Chicago! (Lincoln flights OFTEN get cancelled, and Omaha sometimes, too) Plus KC usually has better prices.
Rearranging is OK, IF the other bag is light enough to cover! I flew back from Utah last month. I kid you not...had .5 lb to spare w/ 2 bags! (99.5 total!) Plus VERY heavy carry on! I knew this, and weighed before leaving! (not always an option on some vacations!)
Happy cruising all!
Kris

 

[scrapperjill]

We were encouraged to "rearrange" our luggage because we were over slightly in one bag....

And to think we tryed so hard at home to keep it at 50lbs or under... we even had our scale out checking as we packed.

 

[tvguy]

Best solution is to check with your airline, then weigh your luggage.

If anyone cares, I think this started as part of the baggage handlers union contract. Jet Blue, and some of the non-union airlines did not follow suit, but I guess Southwest has now. I guess we're lucky, the Postal Workers union contract says they don't have to lift anything over 35 pounds. Could you imagine THAT weight limit on luggage.

 

[videogal1]

On one of the trip threads, a DISer seemed surprised to find that Southwest would charge them a $25 overage fee if luggage weighed more than 50# each.

They don't weigh carry ons...but YOU have to get it in the overhead bin!

You can imagine their shock when I appeared with 4 carry-on bags....all legal per their own guidelines....

 

[spotdog]

Most airlines seem to limit "included in price" baggage to 50lbs per peice.
A hint to office workers: 50lbs is about the weight of a box of copier paper.

Another way to check is to

1) Step on your home scale...note your "honest weight".

2) Step on the scale while holding your suitcase.

3) Subtract your "honest weight" from your "weight while holding suitcase"

4) This is the weight of your suitcase.

Have a great, within weight limit, Disney trip

 

[LAWalz23]

We use Jet Blue and curbside check-in because of this one issue. As it has been said before if you tip the skycaps enough, they usually ignore over the weight limit

 

[CarolA]

We use Jet Blue and curbside check-in because of this one issue. As it has been said before if you tip the skycaps enough, they usually ignore over the weight limit

There was a post on this board not too long ago. Someone tried to "tip" thier way out of an overweight and the skycap explained that he would be in trouble and could no longer allow this... So, I would either stick to Jet Blue or take more smaller suitcases. Plus if for some reason you HAVE to go in (canceled flights, weather delays) you are stuck.

Remember it's not just weight it's size. The MEGA suitcase could easily be oversized also. Be sure to check your airline website.

 

[safetymom]

Don't count on the skycap overlooking a heavier bag. Also there are times that you can't check in at the curb and have to go to the ticket counter. They will charge you for each segment that your luggage is overweight.

 

[4forDis]

I had to pay the fee on AA for overweight luggage this summer. They put a big orange sticker on the handle that said "HEAVY". It was embarassing. Yes, I am an over-packer! I can't help it. Anyway, my husband was not happy about this. Then we went through the security line and the security person there gave me a hard time . That really made me look bad in front of the hubby. I couldn't catch a break. Next time I will pack an extra suitcase.

 

[STLmomof3]

Spotdog!!! Now why didnt I think of that IM at home trying to put the suitcase all different ways to weigh it so I can still read the numbers,,,whew! Yes Ima blonde!