WillTravel

I think that with a little training, the purser should be able to guesstimate weights within 20%, and should then be taught to do so generously.

jsmith

This is old news. The following is from US News:

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05/12/2003 - Updated 10:08 PM ET

FAA changes weight rules for aircraft
Under the FAA's old rule, airlines estimated that passengers older than 12 weighed 180 pounds in warm months and 185 in the winter. That includes 20 pounds of carry-on luggage.

Starting in 90 days, airlines must assume that passengers weigh 190 or 195 pounds depending on the season. Similarly, checked bags on domestic flights will rise from an estimated 25 to 30 pounds. The 30-pound estimate for checked bags on international flights will not change.

The new weight estimates were fiercely opposed by some airlines. They could cost the already financially strapped airline industry money because some flights may have to leave with empty seats or carry less cargo.

The new rule is an interim step. The FAA plans a broader survey of passenger weights and could implement higher weight estimates, spokesman Paul Takemoto said.

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Appears the broader(?) survey has begun.

icithecat

I think this could work quite well.
You stand on the scale with your luggage as the attendant checks your ticket.
Within seconds the conveyor belt whisks you to the appropriate departure lounge based on your ear tag.

If you end up in Venice instead of Vienna as luggage often does, then so be it. Do not over plan vacations.

Laoghaire

Hello...We were weighed for our flight from Galway to Inishmore (Aran Islands, Ireland). Small 12 passenger plane.. No big deal..Helen

zippo

The real restriction is on space, not weight - weighing is easier than measuring size - having the checkin clerk throw a tape meaure around your ass is somewhat undignified.
Otherwise it would be OK to be fat as long as you arrived with a thin companion.....

Sylvia

Scilly Airways does that. You get on the scales beside your luggage. When I flew with them, all the women were insisting that their cases were very heavy.

sfowler

Good one ici!!

I certainly understand the issue with smaller planes. I've been "rearranged" in an Alaska "bush" plane.

I think the droller comments are a result of the US tendency to solve these kinds of problems in the most invasive and demeaning manner possible.

Depending on the time of year -- Venice would be fine

travelbunny

..was weighed years ago on a flight (small plane) to the arran islands..they ended up putting a box full of milk cartons under my seat (if i were weighed today, slightly less milk would be delivered to inishmore)

isabel

I actually think making passengers and their luggage get weighed together is a great idea. If someone wants to weigh 250 pounds and bring 100 pounds of luggage with them that's fine with me but I want some kind of monetary break for only using up a fraction of that total allowance. In the end the fat people and/or those with tons (literally) of luggage would probably get balanced out by the thin people who travel light - but why not have there be a financial incentive.

rex

Sounds like a plan, isabel... as I stated above...

<< Will this lead (finally) to four year olds being charged half fare (or less) if they weigh 40 pounds? Families could end up getting a long deserved break. >>

carrolldf

This concept of charging by total weight (passenger plus baggage) could accomplish a couple of things. 1) It could give us all additional incentives to lose weight (at least those of us who need to anyway). 2) It would certainly lead a new level to determining what you REALLY need to take with you on your trip....."do I really need that or can I buy it there" might lead to a real cost benefit analysis....costs X dollars to take it with me vs. Y Euro to buy it there.