I’m the queen of carry-ons. My policy is to never check a bag on my way to my destination. And, I only check one on the way home if I’ve purchased so many souvenirs that it requires an additional bag to carry them home in. (For the record, I’m not a retail therapy shopper, I just like my home and my friends to be surrounded with interesting objects from around the globe.)
On my latest trip to Bhutan on EVA Airlines, I had my usual one carry-on bag (the Timbuk2 Checkpoint) and my daybag. Passing through security with no problem, I arrived at the gate only to find out that my bag weighed more than their allotted amount. The current limit stated on their website is 23 kilos/50 pounds but I’m fairly certain that my bag weighed less than 50 pounds and that their policy was something like 15 kilos on my flight. They made every passenger whose bag weighed more than the limit to check their bag. Whoda thunk that an airline would actually CHECK the weight before boarding? Apparently EVA does.
When I questioned an EVA staffperson about why I couldn’t carry my bag on board, he said it was a matter of safety on trans-Pacific flights. However, their website states that this is a policy to reduce carbon emissions (and ultimately cost, I’m sure). It’s apparently greener to check your bags than it is to carry them on board. And with airlines scrimping and saving on everything from juice to peanuts, it’s no wonder EVA would be so strict about this policy.
Most travelers know that there are restrictions on the size of a carry-on bag (generally no more than 22″) as well as the number of bags you can carry without additional surcharges. I think some, however, would be surprised to learn, as I did, that there are restrictions on your bag’s weight. Bottom line is that I think few airlines actually take the time to weigh carry-on bags and ultimately it’s a crapshoot whether your airline will actually check – but it’s a policy you should be aware of.
Here’s a sampling of policies for coach class seating:
International
Cathay Pacific – carry on bag weight is not to exceed 15 pounds!
Japan Airlines – carry-on bag weight is not to exceed 22 pounds.
British Airways – there’s no weight limited posted for carry-on bags
Domestic (for U.S. citizens)
Southwest Airlines – no listed limit on carry-on bag weight
Continental – carry-on must not exceed 40 pounds
JetBlue – no weight limit is listed for carry-on bags
My personal rule of thumb is that I never have a carry-on that I can’t lift into the overhead bin myself. I think it’s unfair to expect other passengers or crew members to help me. Unless I fly EVA again, it’s unlikely that I’ll be so concerned as to weigh my carry-on before I fly but as airlines become more strict with their policies, ya never know. I just might have to check my bag at the gate in the future on other airlines, too.
What’s your experience with carry-on bags?
Travel Well,
Beth
Photo credit: geishaboy500
Related links:
Using Your Cell Phone Abroad: A Primer
Understanding Travel Insurance
Booking Advice in Today’s Climate
5 Healthy Travel Tips
10 Tips for Traveling Around the Globe
Tips for Staying Safe in Your Hotel
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Tim says
I think they were just feeding you a line with that green carbon emissions hogwash. It’s going to take the same energy to take off and land whether the bags are in the cargo hold or above your head. The bag is in a tube with wings either way. They just want you to pack less period (or weigh less yourself, which is much harder to force on passengers).
But it’s important for people to know that there is no universal size or weight that’s allowed. That 22-inch guideline is only on the largest jumbo jets. It won’t work for the Embrauer planes used on many flights, where your bag must be smaller. European budget airlines often restrict you by weight, as do puddle jumpers in Africa if you’re going on a safari in say, Botswana.
Remember that wheels and a telescoping handle assembly add 5 to 8 pounds of weight to your bag, so if you only get 25 pounds that’s a big proportion. If you’re not so old and decrepit that you can’t carry your wheel-less bag suitcase style or backpack style, you’ll get a lot more gear in your bag and still stay under the limit.
Melanie says
I can’t believe they told you that the carbon emissions are less if you check your bag – whatever. It is still weighing the plane down whether it is below or above…anyway..
The thing that drives me crazy though is when you have passengers that bring on bags that are really too big for the overhead and take up all of it..so if you don’t get on the plane early enough, you can’t find anywhere for your carry on as there is no room left.
By the way – if you can get all your belongings in one fairly sized carry on – kudos to you!
Nancy D. Brown says
On a recent flight from JFK to SFO we had a passenger who was trying to fit his “carry on” into an overhead bin. Problem was, it was too big for a carry on and it wasn’t fitting in the bin. He was getting more angry by the minute and moving everyone else’s bags around to try and make his fit. He was yelling at everyone around him and making everyone very anxious.
I think charging everyone for the first piece of luggage is creating a lot more carry on baggage on the plane, resulting in more “air rage.”
sbhanoo says
Hi Beth – Your photo made me wonder what carry-on you use…what are your recommendations for a carry-on that is high quality and not super overpriced?
Karen says
Hi Beth – When I was enroute to Bhutan last year (to travel with you and rest of the group), Thai Airways weighed my usual carry-on bag and deemed it too heavy for carry-on on the flight to Bangkok. Like you I aim to never check a bag on outbound flights, so I was quite concerned (but it arrived safely).
scuba_suzy says
the problem comes when your main luggage is over weight and so is your hand luggage! Divers who photograph underwater have this issue all the time as we have heavy diving equipment but also a lot of delicate (and heavy) camera gear. You dont want to check your camera gear coz its too delicate (& expensive). Lots of time and energy is spent talking over this issue (along with quite up to date info and experiences) over at wetpixel.com
Suzy
Scribetrotter says
I too never check luggage unless I absolutely have to – and I’ve found the interpretation of airline rules a little lax… so now I print out the web page with the exact specifications, just in case. And it’s helped me bring my luggage on with me, twice.
anjeeta says
Beth, Many Asian airlines regularly weigh hand baggage. The limits on Airlines like Singapore Airlines, Air India, Jet Airways, Emirates seem to be 7kg. I always carry a change of clothes, my laptop, chargers and my camera in my hand carry and it is often weighed at check-in when I fly any of these airlines. So far I havent had to put my bag in the hold but on a recent transatlantic flight on BA was told to do so because I was one of the last people to board and all the overhead bins in the premium economy cabin were already full up. So much for paying extra for extra space and comfort.