Virgin Weighing hand luggage

[Deleted member 32956]

On a recent trip from Melbourne to Sydney, my partner and I had our hand luggage weighed as we were about to board the plane. Being the last to board the plane, I thought they might be in a hurry to get us on board, but they took the time to inform us that our small bags were actually overweight and that we had to check them in, because of safety concerns in the cabin.

Lucky for us, we are Virgin Gold, so we didnt have to pay their checked in baggage fee.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Is this a regular thing for Virgin and the other low cost carriers?

My solution has been to weight my luggage with a WeightMate digital luggage scale- to make sure I pack as much as I possibly can without going over, and avoiding repacking at check in!

 

[greenfish]

How far over 7Kg were you?

 

[awilcockson]

Virgin and the other low cost carriers?

virgin probably won't be happy that you are calling them a LCC!

 

[simongr]

virgin probably won't be happy that you are calling them a LCC!

If they are weighing hand luggage then they won't be an option for me domestically. That I would consider to be LCC.

 

[DJ332]

I've had many experiences with both CX and SQ weighing hand luggage and being very strict about 7kg limits. International, I know, but in my opinion it's a sign of good management and the airline actually caring about its passengers and running an efficient operation.

 

[pauly7]

If they are weighing hand luggage then they won't be an option for me domestically. That I would consider to be LCC.

I got hand luggage weighed today on VA.... I thought it was pretty much standard practice?? Or maybe I'm on the busy flights.

 

[Simo]

Yesterday Air Pacific weighed the person next to me carry on luggage but didn't look at mine at all and we had a carry on bag each.

 

[LiamR]

Nobody weighted my bag this afternoon flying out of Melbourne.

 

[simongr]

I've had many experiences with both CX and SQ weighing hand luggage and being very strict about 7kg limits. International, I know, but in my opinion it's a sign of good management and the airline actually caring about its passengers and running an efficient operation.

Hmm - stopping every pax to weigh hand luggage - yeah that is efficient... Maybe stopping every pax to check size and number is efficient...

 

[maninblack]

I still go by my brothers concept. Weigh the person together with their luggage

 

[mannej]

I know SQ used to weigh carry on at check-in in Perth. It is fairly quick and what I consider effective. Does that make them LCC?

The funny thing is you would always get stopped by the man at the door before passport control as well.

 

[straitman]

I still go by my brothers concept. Weigh the person together with their luggage

Only works if you are planning to put the person in the overhead lockers.

 

[DJ332]

Hmm - stopping every pax to weigh hand luggage - yeah that is efficient... Maybe stopping every pax to check size and number is efficient...

Well of course not, gate agents and check in agents have to be diligent and identify particular passengers who are obviously carrying too much onboard. Granted, it's easier for international because everyone has to present themselves at check in to get their passport swiped and your hand luggage is on display.

 

[Jude Starr]

Nothing new about this. Many years ago I was flying from CNS to BNE and staff at the security check noticed the guy in front of me had quite a heavy bag that he was bringing through as hand luggage. They pulled him aside for weighing and he had to check it in...he was arguing with them to let him through even though his hand luggage was twice the 7kg limit! :shock:

 

[Julesmac]

Came back from Maroochydore last week on Virgin. Boy if they'd been weighing hand luggage half the passengers would have been thrown off. I suspect it's becase (a) their excess checked luggage charges are murderous, and (b) since the tickets cheaper (kind of) if it's only carry on baggage - the blighters just cram stuff in carry on. Incidentally we took 2 checked bags plus golf clubs, paid extra on line when booking. On the way back were stung nearly $150 xs...... for the same luggage plus a couple of items of clothing. Staff pleasant but no budging. We paid up cause we just wanted to get home. Planning to pursue it though

 

[Austman]

The other 'major' LCC in Australia - Jetstar (but also 3K and VL) allows 10kg as carry-on which makes the safety argument a bit dubious.

 

[ash.1111]

^ Different aircraft/overhead bin design as well. To be honest, rules are rules. I think it's great that Virgin are weighing bags. I wouldn't call it a LCC move...

 

[straitman]

The other 'major' LCC in Australia - Jetstar (but also 3K and VL) allows 10kg as carry-on which makes the safety argument a bit dubious.

Two points:
1: OT but as pointed out earlier in the thread Virgin won't like being called a LCC.
2: More importantly JQ operate Airbus a/c and DJ operate Boeing a/c and the overhead bins are different and therefore can easily have different limits.

 

[drron]

Came back from Maroochydore last week on Virgin. Boy if they'd been weighing hand luggage half the passengers would have been thrown off. I suspect it's becase (a) their excess checked luggage charges are murderous, and (b) since the tickets cheaper (kind of) if it's only carry on baggage - the blighters just cram stuff in carry on. Incidentally we took 2 checked bags plus golf clubs, paid extra on line when booking. On the way back were stung nearly $150 xs...... for the same luggage plus a couple of items of clothing. Staff pleasant but no budging. We paid up cause we just wanted to get home. Planning to pursue it though

Both JQ and DJ weigh carryons out of MCY at times.I have had mine weighed by both at times-but virtually within limits when it has happened-was allowed 7.2kg on DJ once.
JQ sometimes also have an agent wandering through the gate area and getting some to put their bags in the sizer,which seems smaller than those at SYD.

 

[Reggie]

I've seen QF weighing carryon of the premium pax at checkin at AKL