Charged a fortune for over weight luggage

MarkyMarkD

Most airlines have had rules regarding the maximum dimensions of hand luggage - they have those things by the check in desk which the bag is meant to fit into.

kai666

what exactly are you going to complain about when you write? you were over the weight limit, and so as stated by the airline they fined you.

moneysaver

I am just back from Vegas with My Travel & my hand luggage was weighed at check in but not on the outbound journey. I was over by 6kg(3kg per person), most of this was foodstuff to eat in the departure lounge including bottled water. They would not listen to my argument about the foodstuff getting eaten in the lounge. I was charged $84.00 which I paid, but on watching the other check in desks no one else was getting their hand luggage weighed. So I went back over to the desk to complain & asked for a supervisor to tell them I was the only one who had their hand luggage weighed, after a heated debate I got a refund of my money.

I have no problem paying excess baggage if this is the airline policy but it must be the same for the whole plane load of people not just depending on who is checking you in.

Once people have left the check in desk after being weighed what is to stop them buying allsorts of stuff in duty free including heavy bottles of alcohol that would take them over their allowance?

Take your argument to the airline on the basis you were victimised at check in.

Good luck
Moneysaver

WiseInvestor_2

Moneysaver,

You did the right thing by addressing the issue on the day. It's much easier to claim 'victimisation' when all those around you are still carrying their kitchen sinks!

After the event, however, is futile. The airline's policy was administered and (as far as they're concerned) the subject is closed.

Out of interest, I trust you were very careful with exactly what foodstuffs you were carrying/intending to eat before boarding? Most countries have very tight restrictions (and hefty fines) for the importation of certain food products.

moneysaver

The foodstuffs were snacks & a couple of pastries which were eaten before boarding the plane. I would not take any food on board a flight.


Moneysaver

WiseInvestor_2

Don't get me wrong - no airline will stop you carrying (and eating) your own food onboard. I've lost count of the number of times I've watched other passengers eating McDonalds/pizza during take-off!

The issue only begins after landing should you be carrying fruit/meat/dairy etc. Some Customs officials will simply confiscate banned goods - others won't be so forgiving!

Altarf

moneysaver wrote:

I was over by 6kg(3kg per person), most of this was foodstuff to eat in the departure lounge including bottled water.
Moneysaver

moneysaver wrote:

The foodstuffs were snacks & a couple of pastries which were eaten before boarding the plane.

3kg of snacks & pastries per person?

moneysaver

Altarf wrote:

3kg of snacks & pastries per person?

Read my original post

moneysaver

Altarf wrote:

So you had a baggage allowance of 20kg and could take a 5kg bag on the plane. But you decide to take 40kg with you and are surprised that you get charged?

Where does it say 40kg

richardw

Stick the bags on the bathroom scales before you leave home.