So what would they do if you had 50 contestants from the Miss America contest on the plan and all their seats were together on the left side of the plane. And on the same flight they had a group from the Sumo Wrestling federation and their seats where grouped on the right side of the plane. Would they just end up flying in one big circle because the weight distribution was off?

No, they would feed the left side to the right side and then evenly distribute the results.

Anyone who is saying it's just a money-maker, quite frankly, doesn't know what they're talking about. What you've said here is closer to the truth.

 

Weight distribution and loading is critical to flight safety. There are specialists assigned to each flight whose sole purpose is to complete the complex calculations necessary to properly load the plane, position the cargo, and determine the maximum fuel capacity. There are countless variables involved, including passenger weight, cargo, luggage, fuel, travel distance, O & D airport congestion, temperature, and much more.

 

A few pounds may not seem like much; but multiply that by three bags per person. Now multiply that by a few hundred passengers. It adds up to a lot of extra weight that must be compensated for in either fuel load reduction, or passenger load reduction.

 

These weight limits are most critical on smaller planes; but have to be taken into account on even the largest. It's a complex science getting several tons of aluminum to fly off the ground; and every pound has to be accounted for.

 

Trust me, I know the airlines charge for a lot of things. I used to be one of the people doing the charging. A little of it is about money; but mostly it's about encouraging people to pay attention to the rules. When everyone follows the regulations, it makes the travel experience quicker and more pleasant for everyone. :thumb:

 

Is it three bags per person or two bags per person? I thought they changed it to only two bags can now be checked.

 

And while I agree with you to a point, as Henry mentioned, when you book a seat there is no effort made to determine your weight to balance the load of the passengers (thank goodness or I'd never be permitted on a plane. LOL!). Nor is carry on baggage weighed at all or any effort made to balance the location of the carry on baggage in the cabin. There are of course size limits, but no weight limitations that I have ever been made aware of. As long as it fits in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you, they don't seem to care. Finally, no actual weight is marked on the checked bags that are under the 50 lb limitation, is there? If not, just how does the cargo specialist know if one bag weighs 5 lbs and the other weighs 49 lbs for purposes of balancing the load? Does the specialist do it by feel alone? If so, the balance issue must not be too sensitive.

 

Wouldn't all those things be done if the sensitivity of the load balance was so important that two bag weighing 5 lbs each more than the limit required the reshifting of contents? Honest question.

Is it three bags per person or two bags per person? I thought they changed it to only two bags can now be checked.

I don't know what it is now. I was reciting my pre-2000 mantra.

It's two bags. Three if you include the "Old Bag".

And while I agree with you to a point.

You can go ahead and agree the rest of the way, because I've given you the honest facts. :thumb:

 

Yes, the balance issue is critical. As far as carry-ons go, size is the most important factor. But weight is important as well. They certainly don't want super-heavy bags in an overhead compartment.

 

I can assure you that every bag is taken into account. As I tried to explain earlier, the criticality of these issues is inversely proportional to the size of the plane. The size limits generally take care of the weight limits.

 

In other words, if they asked you to redistribute your luggage, it was for a darn good reason. And it had nothing to do with squeezing a few extra dollars out of their customers.

You can go ahead and agree the rest of the way, because I've given you the honest facts. :thumb:

 

Yes, the balance issue is critical. As far as carry-ons go, size is the most important factor. But weight is important as well. They certainly don't want super-heavy bags in an overhead compartment.

 

I can assure you that every bag is taken into account. As I tried to explain earlier, the criticality of these issues is inversely proportional to the size of the plane. The size limits generally take care of the weight limits.

 

In other words, if they asked you to redistribute your luggage, it was for a darn good reason. And it had nothing to do with squeezing a few extra dollars out of their customers.

 

 

Okay, I'll accept what you say to be fact. But why then don't the airlines take passenger weight, carry one baggage weight as well as the weight of the under limit checked baggage into effect if its so critical? I wasn't on the flight with Henry and the boys, but I doubt that she was on a puddle jumper if she flew non stop from SLC to CVG.

It's two bags. Three if you include the "Old Bag".

We weren't going to say that!

 

 

 

Think it maybe....but not say it. :banana:

But why then don't the airlines take passenger weight, carry on baggage weight as well as the weight of the under limit checked baggage into effect if its so critical?

Like I said, they do. I'll try to get some more difinitive info from my contact out at CVG baggage...if they're still speaking to me that is.

Like I said, they do. I'll try to get some more difinitive info from my contact out at CVG baggage...if they're still speaking to me that is.

 

I have never been asked my weight. And if I take a carry on it has never been weighed, or my purse, or the kids backpacks.

I have never been asked my weight. And if I take a carry on it has never been weighed, or my purse, or the kids backpacks.

That's not the idea.

That's not the idea.

 

Then what's your point?

Another example of rules applying to everyone else but me. If the rule is that no bag can weigh over 50 pounds individually and one does what is so hard to understand?

Another example of rules applying to everyone else but me. If the rule is that no bag can weigh over 50 pounds individually and one does what is so hard to understand?

 

 

Not saying that. Just trying to understand the logic behind the rule.

Another example of rules applying to everyone else but me. If the rule is that no bag can weigh over 50 pounds individually and one does what is so hard to understand?

 

Or perhaps your post is another example of someone not carefully reading all the posts before he/she posts. :fire:

 

As I read the original and supporting posts, no one is saying the rule applies to "no one else but me"; rather, the original post questioned the logic of the rules relating to checked baggage weight. Other posts have wondered why if weight is so important that they will make you shift 5 lbs from one bag to the other, the airlines aren't concerned with passenger and carry on baggage weight or the distribution of that weight. I'm just an old country boy and hadn't thought about that until I read this thread. I'm interested in learning what Birdsfan finds out. My brother flies out of Lex and when he returns my call, I'm going to ask him too.

I have never been asked my weight. And if I take a carry on it has never been weighed, or my purse, or the kids backpacks.

Stand-by until I can get better information.