Qantas cracking down on carry-on luggage

70 replies

Metoo

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 25 Nov 2016

Total posts 93

I've seen healthy passengers expect the flight attendants to put their bags up in the bins like they were their personal butlers/maids. Flight Attendants; Don't do it. leave it on the floor until they do it.

Austman

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 09 Jan 2013

Total posts 15


What BA do or any other carrier is irrelevant.



Except when it's claimed to be a safety or an OH&S issue. Which usually is the claim. And then comparison with other airlines is very relevant.

Having space so that most pax can store their carry-on is one issue. Airlines can limit the number of carry-on pieces and their maximum dimensions. That's usually good for all pax.

But limiting their weight is not so clear. It's usually done for commercial reasons, not for safety. Clearly there has to be a reasonable upper weight limit, but 7kg is not it.

worldwanderer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 13 Jan 2017

Total posts 17


What BA do or any other carrier is irrelevant.



Except when it's claimed to be a safety or an OH&S issue. Which usually is the claim. And then comparison with other airlines is very relevant.

Having space so that most pax can store their carry-on is one issue. Airlines can limit the number of carry-on pieces and their maximum dimensions. That's usually good for all pax.

But limiting their weight is not so clear. It's usually done for commercial reasons, not for safety. Clearly there has to be a reasonable upper weight limit, but 7kg is not it.

Domestically the limit for Qantas is 14kg (2 x 7kg)

Qantas staff regularly help passengers put their luggage in the lockers.

I have never seen BA staff do it (in Y at least).

worldwanderer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 13 Jan 2017

Total posts 17

BTY: By comparison VA's limit is 7kg total across all carryon items (1/2 that of QF).

Typhoon284

Vietnam Airlines - Golden Lotus Plus

Member since 16 Nov 2018

Total posts 1

Nothing surprising here. Why would anybody even bother with Qantas any more. Caught a business class Melbourne to Perth last week, less than anything special. Went to sleep after waiting over an hour for their interpretation of breakfast, got offered a glass of slimy looking green juice. Nowhere near good enough for a 2k flight. Lost me permanently

Last editedby Typhoon284 at Nov 16, 2018, 03:58 PM.

EdS

QF

Member since 21 Jul 2016

Total posts 25

I remember the old days in the UK when it was 10 kg accross the board. What's changed?

Austman

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 09 Jan 2013

Total posts 15

I remember the old days in the UK when it was 10 kg accross the board. What's changed?

Airlines can make money out of carry-ons.

Even Jetstar will again allow 10kg if you are willing to pay. The size limit still applies. 10kg used to be their starter allowance.

7kg has nothing much to do with safety.

Johns

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 01 Apr 2017

Total posts 2

During bag-check:

QF: "Do you have any spare batteries in your check-in bags ?"
ME: "No.. they are in my carry on".
Gets to gate...
QF: "Sir your bag is 7.07kg.. you're going to have to check it in and it goes in the hold... "
ME: "Good thing there's no spare batteries in there then"
(scene)
And this children is why the security theatre at airports is complete bollocks.

Geoffair

Member since 04 May 2018

Total posts 42

Why the 7kg limit, except its the same around most of Australasia so maybe to conform with competitors?

If QF allows 2x7kg its nothing to do with pax weight, maybe to do with B737 overhead bins being limited, it is an old aircraft.
Possibly to increase revenue from checked luggage 'though many airlines in the region have 30kg allowance.
BA has 23kg before increased costs and the same hand luggage allowance is maybe to encourage less checked luggage requiring additional staff and costs to use the airport systems.
Is there any logic for a 7kg (per bag) limit?

Austman

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 09 Jan 2013

Total posts 15


Is there any logic for a 7kg (per bag) limit?


There's a financial logic. And there's a policy logic. And perhaps an OH&S for crew logic. There's not much of a safety logic.


More carry-on injuries occur from lighter objects that are far more prone to moving around and falling out of bins. Sure, a 7kg allowed size bag has to be lifted but pax who can safely do that can generally safely lift a 10kg bag as well.


As a full service carrier with checked baggage allowed on every ticket, it's not really been much of an issue for Qantas. They have for as long as I can remember cared more about the size and number of carry-ons but not so much about their weight.


This issue seems to be about something else - pivot bins? But if a 4 bag drop-down pivot bin has a load limit of 50kg then that's what should be OK for crew to operate from an OH&S aspect. And that's an average of 12.5kg per bag.


I weigh my allowed maximum size carry-on all the time. And even when stuffed to bursting and including a couple of bottles of wine (allowed domestically), it's hard to get to 11kg. Approaching 10kg is more usual when it's completely stuffed full. I always carry a small bag inside my carry-on so I can easily change to 2 x bags, each then much less than the allowed 7kg, if necessary.


And of course, on Jetstar, 10kg was allowed for years. And now still is for an extra fee. So how could it be safety related?


Last editedby Austman at Nov 17, 2018, 04:00 PM.

VVV

Member since 18 Nov 2018

Total posts 1

I have no problem with the enforcement of carry on allowances however it needs to be consistent. I was asked to check my 10 kgs bag whilst next to me someone was allowed through with a laptop bag, medium backpack and small carry on suitcase on rollers. The gentleman did not get weighed. Unrelated to this my bag was lost but it seems a little odd to have two passengers check in side by side with totally different outcomes. Either relax on it or enforce it but be consistent.

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