Airline Scales Don't Measure Up

[MULTIZ321]

Inspections Show inaccurate airline scales may cost travelers money - from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel


Richard

 

[JeffW]

I like the idea of checking your bag on one of the other scales if it shows overweight on the first one you checkin at. If it shows 48lbs on one scale, and 53lbs on another, I don't know how any sensible employee couldn't believe there's not some "reasonable doubt" that the first scale may be right. I'd certainly ask for a supervisor. If they won't waive the overweight fee, then have them document your record with the two weights, so you can contest it later.

 

[Talent312]

IMO, the better practice is to weigh it B4 leaving home and if its close, make the necessary adjustments to allow for a 3-4 lb. variance. In the face of two weights, either of which may be correct, its just as reasonable to assume that the higher weight is correct and the freight should be paid.

Now, what would you do about an overweight stepson who, not content with us paying for his coach seat, thinks we should buy him an upgrade so he can be more comfortable? <rhetorical>

 

[DeniseM]

Now, what would you do about an overweight stepson who, not content with us paying for his coach seat, thinks we should buy him an upgrade so he can be more comfortable? <rhetorical>

Easy - Leave him home!

 

[MULTIZ321]

Overweight Bag Fees by Major US Airlines


Richard

 

[Carolinian]

One of the British newspapers did the same test with bags that were weighed on calibrated scales so they knew for a fact what they weighed. As I recall, the airline scales that were off were always off in favor or the airline, not the customer.

 

[Talent312]

I've never had a luggage-weight problem on a domestic flight and we even managed to beat a Euro-LCC limit by several kilos last year on a two-week trip... Folks, it can be done. We could ask our local airport authorities to place their own scales in terminals, like they have in many grocery stores, but they prob'ly don't want the hassle they'll get for being wrong, too.
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Carolinian: If you have not heard, the stockholders of both airlines have approved the merger. Each share will be replaced with 1.25 Delta shares. NWA is soon be in the dust-bin of history. <no judgment>

 

[Carolinian]

I've never had a luggage-weight problem on a domestic flight and we even managed to beat a Euro-LCC limit by several kilos last year on a two-week trip... Folks, it can be done. We could ask our local airport authorities to place their own scales in terminals, like they have in many grocery stores, but they prob'ly don't want the hassle they'll get for being wrong, too.
________________
Carolinian: If you have not heard, the stockholders of both airlines have approved the merger. Each share will be replaced with 1.25 Delta shares. NWA is soon be in the dust-bin of history. <no judgment>

The Justice Department has not approved the DL takeover of NW yet, and that is the fat lady that has to sing. Shareholder approval was always a given since the former creditors of the old airlines prior to the bankruptcy control the stock, just as they control the BOD, so when they got together back in the beginning on the takeover, the shareholder approval part was always a done deal. Unfortunately, with what has happened in the economy, the slight chance of the Justice Department standing up for competition has become an even slighter chance.

As to scales in the airport before you get to check-in, my current home airport in eastern Europe DOES have that, and I have weighed luggage I thought might be close on them before going to check-in.