Something I have wondered about luggage allowance

[scarletlancer]

Is there any reason (other than a financial one) that airlines who offer an allowance of 2x23kg checked bags per person don't average the weight of the two bags rather than charging excess weight on one even if the other is under weight by the same margin?

 

[EvertonCJ]

Hi Scarletlancer. Not long now until our SSR visit. I asked this question a couple of years ago and I was told that it is something to do with the baggage handlers not being allowed to lift anything over 23kg. I can't see that this is true as aren't first class passengers allowed bigger cases? Every year we only take 4 cases between 4 of us and when returning home our cases are always very close to the 23kg limit. This year we are taking 5 cases so that we can spread the weight around a bit more.

 

[scarletlancer]

Hi Scarletlancer. Not long now until our SSR visit. I asked this question a couple of years ago and I was told that it is something to do with the baggage handlers not being allowed to lift anything over 23kg. I can't see that this is true as aren't first class passengers allowed bigger cases? Every year we only take 4 cases between 4 of us and when returning home our cases are always very close to the 23kg limit. This year we are taking 5 cases so that we can spread the weight around a bit more.

First class passengers have a better class of weight

 

[wayneg]

First class passengers have a better class of weight

We have 3x32kg allowance per person next week so yes they still allow it for now but I think it was for the masses they wanted to cut weight. I know I used to struggle with 30-32kg (much prefer 23kg) so airport staff doing it constantly all day it must have been a nightmare. Even though we are allowed 32kg per bag this time we will be sticking to around 16-18kg per bag, much easier to handle.

 

[grannyed]

Is there any reason (other than a financial one) that airlines who offer an allowance of 2x23kg checked bags per person don't average the weight of the two bags rather than charging excess weight on one even if the other is under weight by the same margin?

We were told that cases of up to 32kg can be loaded by two baggage handlers working together ... any weight above that and they have to use one of those forklift things.....new health & safety rules regarding 'lifting and handling'

 

[team harris]

As everyone else has said "Health and Safety"

 

[orlandothebeagle]

As everyone else has said "Health and Safety"

Nothing to do with making money then.