Has anyone actually ever had their 'carry on' bag weighed?

Kutittaa · Post by **Kutittaa** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 9:35 am

So I'll be making the trip back to Finland soon and I started thinking about packing everything. I have to take the PC components back and they're all still wrapped up nicely.

Problem is. When I flew back to Australia I took Cathay Pacific. They allow up to 7kg for carry-on bags.
Now when I am flying back I am going via China Southern Airlines. They allow up to 5kg for carry-on bags.

All I am taking with me for carry on is a pretty normal backpack. Like a school sized bag.

I don't remember about my first 3 flights but I remember my last. I wasn't asked if they could weigh my carry-on bags. The only thing they were interested in was my checked-in luggage, which they weighed. I don't really remember but I think I have never been asked to weigh my carry-on bag... and I have had the exact same carry and check-in bags on all of my flights over the last 3 years.

China Southern seems to have some pretty stupid rules for luggage.. however..
5kg max for Carry-on. 20×40×55 (height x width x length)
20kg max (or 23kg I am not sure, it's not clear on any website) for Checked in bags. Max dimensions: "The sum of the three edges of every piece of baggage should not exceed 158 cm (62 in.)"

Due to their terms. Any 'carry-on' bag that is over the 5kg limit, or size limit must be put into 'checked-in' baggage instead and put into the cargo hold.. which means they would toss my backpack around and smash all of the components. As well as charge me 55€.

I am not so much worried about my checked-in baggage. I've never had a problem with it. I was going to take an additional bag (you are only allowed one for 'free') but they want 55€ for a second bag and 200€ for a third. (WTF??) I think I would just rather leave the stuff here as it would be probably better to just buy some new clothes in Finland. I doubt the contents of the second bag would be worth 55€ anyway.

But of course the main issue is that I don't want to be forced to take my backpack that is carry-on, and check it in... I am just sorta worried if they will ask me to take it off so they can weigh it. I can't remember ever having been asked to, but from the looks of how China Southern operates I may very well be asked to..

Another thing is I don't actually know how heavy my bag is :'D
When held by 1-hand it seems quite heavy, but when put on my back it feels entirely weightless...
If I hold a 5kg weight in 1 hand and my bag in the other, my bag feels a tiny bit heavier.. but really not by much at all, and it could just be my mind. When all the components are put together (including the case) the entire weight of my computer should be 4.75kg. However I don't have the case with me... I'd put a rough guess and say it's about 6kg. My cousin says that it feels like 10kg and my dad said it feels like 8kg. Man I have no idea what to think.. and it won't matter if they don't weigh it.

Bathroom scales are broken and I don't know anyone around who has any...

So what are your opinions? Should I just hang my bag over my shoulder, make it not look too heavy and sorta try and keep it out of sight? No one has seemed to ever care before about my bags weight or size. It doesn't look big and most airlines expect that you just have it filled with emergency clothes not f*"¤#!$ gold. It'll definitely fit under the seat or not take up much room in the overhead at all. It's packed the exact same way that it was last time, the only difference is last time I got 7kg so maybe that is why I got away with it not being weighed.

Anyway... opinions? Have you ever had your carry on weighed? I would assume you would if you had a massive travellers backpack or something, but for normal smaller items like a rucksack have you been asked to hand it over so it can be weighed?

Thanks

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Logic · Post by **Logic** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 3:26 pm

You literally are becoming a ping pong ball. Anyway, it depends on the person checking your baggage. Most of the time they don't check the weight but I remember one time at the airport here, the lady wanted to weigh my carry on baggage and it was overweight so I just took out some stuff from it, placed them on the floor behind the counter so she didn't see them and told her to weigh the bag again, when she saw it was under 5 kg she was happy, then I simply put back my stuff

Kutittaa · Post by **Kutittaa** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 5:09 pm

I just decided that I will pay the extra 55€ that it costs for an extra bag. Solves all of my problems. I can put 2 heavy components in that bag, bubble wrap them and put clothes around them. Also it means I can take extra things. I don't know how I thought I would get away with just taking 1 bag...

So I guess I sorted everything out.

Yeaaah, well other members of the forum warned this would happen. But in retrospect, I've had a holiday at my home away from home. It's been lovely to see my parents again and reacquaint with a few old friends. Though I do wish I had stayed in Finland and had never made the decision to go. As long as everything returns to normal, or at least thereabouts I'll be happy.

Apart from the anxiety, I've just lost a little money but that really doesn't bother me at all in the scheme of things. Not compared to what I have gained from coming back.

I don't think I have ever had my carry-on bag weighed but I didn't want to take the risk halfway to Finland and then have to dump something valuable because they wouldn't let me take it. It's a small chance, but it's not a chance I want to take. I didn't go through all of this to cut corners right near the end.

AldenG · Post by **AldenG** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:21 pm

Will you be getting the old job back?

Kutittaa · Post by **Kutittaa** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 4:02 am

The teaching job? I sorta doubt it, but I'll apply again. I'm going to apply for Uni as well this time.

dev · Post by **dev** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:39 pm

Normally they don't check the weight, but if the hand carry bag looks big then they may ask.
Welcome back to Finland, are you going to apply for a new residence permit again or you managed to keep your older residence permit active?

Logic · Post by **Logic** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:46 pm

Now's the real test. If he cancelled his permit upon leaving then he's back to square one and has to apply for a new one. The question is will he apply in his home country (as he always seemed to advise others) or apply here

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Tue May 01, 2012 3:38 pm

I have to take the PC components back and they're all still wrapped up nicely.

www.dell.com => laptops

Oombongo · Post by **Oombongo** » Tue May 01, 2012 4:16 pm

Logic wrote:Now's the real test. If he cancelled his permit upon leaving then he's back to square one and has to apply for a new one. The question is will he apply in his home country (as he always seemed to advise others) or apply here

If he reconciles with his ex then perhaps the procedure will be easier?
(not that I am suggesting as you never know who has been the man of the house while you were away

)

Kutittaa · Post by **Kutittaa** » Thu May 03, 2012 6:54 am

She isn't my ex, and I am going to ask the police in Oulu if my application is still there because I never got a cancellation receipt, just my passport back. Though my gut feeling tells me that I will have to apply again which isn't a big deal, it shouldn't be any harder the second time round, just another wait and a slow burn of my money. Finland gets paid for me to sit around and wait, I have travel insurance with my insurance company and a return ticket in-case they say "Get lost"

though I don't know why they would. Not much else remains except the usual paranoia and anticipation

ernixl · Post by **ernixl** » Sat May 05, 2012 7:08 pm

kuittaa is a man? always saw u as a lady and oops tot u were a finn also

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