The luggage weighting game

[ScubaMarc]

on a china southern flight from JFK to China, Me and my buddies backpack was checked for weight. The magic number was 7 kilos. We we both way of the limit, but they gave us a pass because it was photo gear with a lot of batteries. The check in person said, if bag is over and you have fragile or batteries, you (should) get a pass to have a heavy bag. Batteries are not allowed in check in, so what can they do?

 

[maj2]

Sunwing weighs carry-ons on their Toronto to Bonaire flight.
However, they only weighed your checked bag and your carry-on. Not your "personal item." Suffice it to say, I had a very heavy personal item.
They did not weigh carry-on bags for the return flight though.

 

[JamesBon92007]

I"ve never had my carry-on or personal item weighed by a major airline but have had it weighed by a small "island hopper" airline. Also, I was told by Alaska Airlines that diving weights must be in a checked bag and are not allowed in carry-on.

 

[BlueTrin]

I"ve never had my carry-on or personal item weighed by a major airline but have had it weighed by a small "island hopper" airline. Also, I was told by Alaska Airlines that diving weights must be in a checked bag and are not allowed in carry-on.

Is there a reason for carrying your own weights ?
I thought you could pretty much 'borrow' them from any diving boat/operation that you will use ?

 

[Schwob]

I've had my carry on weighed in Dublin, Houston and Cancun and asked to pay a healthy fee.

Each time I was far over weight but close to an acceptable size.

My solution was to turn into a human bag.

No issues with what was on my body and pocket contents do not count towards carry on bag weight.

I've worn a weight belt two flights. No issue but it might be interpreted as a weapon I imagine.

Undressing for security was a little embarrassing but otherwise the process was easy and I'd do it again if need be.

Cameron

Well, I won't bring weights as such, but the thought of a pocketed weight belt with a first stage in each pocket has occurred).

 

[Schwob]

I'm not a good respondent for your survey because I never try to game the system. I had my carry-on weighed by a budget European airline on the way to Egypt, but my allotted "personal item" was just a small case in which I had my GoPro, lights, charger, etc.--in other words, exactly the kind of thing that is supposed to qualify as a personal item. I also recall having a carry-on weighed in Indonesia on one of the smaller airlines. I have never tried gaming the system by stuffing the pockets of a vest or something with heavy or bulky objects. What if everyone did that? I like rules and everyone abiding by the rules. Equality in our travel misery, I say.

I think you make a good and fair point.
I am actually not gaming anything.
The minute my carriers (actually it's three carriers each way) guarantees they will have all our checked baggage at the arrival airport when we arrive, I will happily check a whole bunch of stuff and be light and free while ejoying quality waiting and terminal changing time on various airports. Our total luggage weight will be well below the 50lbs per checked bag and 7kgs for carry on - even if the personal bag was included ***

So we are not putting undue weight on the plane... The problem is the carriers reserve the right to misplace and mishandle our checked bags for any length of time anywhichever way they choose to and if essential gear is in them and we need it preferably prior to boarding a boat,.. that's a real problem to me that I am not willing to accept. Such a trip is way too rare and costly an affair to me to just go "oh-well" about that. So my aim is to have actually with we what I actually need.

And one simple part of my questions that it seems to be really difficult to find out what the actual airline rules are is the personal bag. Is the weight of it and it's contents included in the say 7kg carry on weight limit a given airline may have. I see no reason not to use that personal bag allowance if it is given - even so I would much prefer to not lug it around...
But sorry, while I only once had straight out something stolen out of my checked bag, those checked bags did not make it in time on one too many occasions (So far just skiing or regular travel) for me to gamble on checked luggage being there, If I have a full two day buffer and am near the airport ... maybe. Less than that and / or an island away... no thank you... I don't trust airlines with the checked luggage that much anymore at all!

 

[Diving Dubai]

The simple answer to your question is if there is a size and weight limit and you adhere to them its fine. If you go over and then your gear goes in the hold, you’re back to square one.

Of course there is a risk with bags in the hold. I mitigate that by insuring my gear. If it doesn’t turn up then I’ll just hire gear, its not the end of the world. Sure I like my own gear but using rent al gear isn’t going to stop me diving no r detract from the vacation.

As long as I have my dive computer and camera all is good

 

[Lorenzoid]

I recall doing some searching when I was taking that budget carrier I mentioned, and from what I read, including comments from travelers, most airlines, even the budget and island hoppers, allow a small "personal" item in addition to the weight-limited carry-on. They give examples of personal items: handbags, briefcases, etc. A regulator bag would probably qualify. I have to believe they contemplate the weight of the personal item will be similar to a typical handbag, briefcase, etc., and not a bag filled with lead weights.

Airline travel sucks. Every passenger on the plane who plays by the rules faces the same risks of their stuff not getting to their destination with them.

 

[Schwob]

The simple answer to your question is if there is a size and weight limit and you adhere to them its fine. If you go over and then your gear goes in the hold, you’re back to square one.

Of course there is a risk with bags in the hold. I mitigate that by insuring my gear. If it doesn’t turn up then I’ll just hire gear, its not the end of the world. Sure I like my own gear but using rent al gear isn’t going to stop me diving no r detract from the vacation.

As long as I have my dive computer and camera all is good

It is my full intent to comply with all rules @Diving Dubai. That is in part why I am trying to figure out what the experiences and knowledge out there are pertaining to that personal bag and the rules about it.

I do admit that I have not learned enough yet about insurance and its effectiveness and what amount of hazzle that involves and what kind of proof will be required and so on... But my aim number one is to arrive with what I really want to arrive with at the very time that I am arriving. All else is mitigating of one sorts or another and a distant second choice, but one I need to yet learn more about as well: Like how do I insure second hand gear that I got a great deal on (by patiently waiting for such a deal) but would in comparison bleed to replace in a hurry?

 

[Lorenzoid]

[H]ow do I insure second hand gear that I got a great deal on (by patiently waiting for such a deal) but would in comparison bleed to replace in a hurry?

Some insurance policies compensate for full replacement value, but they are generally more expensive than those that compensate only for actual value. I admit I haven't checked my homeowner's policy to see how much it covers. My dive gear just isn't very expensive, so I haven't been too concerned. The last liveaboard trip my wife and I took cost more than all our dive gear. If I had a lot of expensive and/or difficult to replace dive or photo gear, I might take it in checked baggage in an appropriate Pelican case and insure the heck out of it.