Former check-in agent Ashley Bautista debunks the truth behind an overweight baggage hack that many think will lead to them avoiding last minute fees
Working at one of the busiest airports in the world has taught me some tips and tricks when it comes to travelling – and one hack Brits think will work can actually backfire.
Now that the summer holidays have begun, many Brits are looking forward to spending time away from home. As light as your summer clothes might feel, don’t be fooled, as they can add up in the suitcase. That’s when your bag becomes overweight.
And there’s nothing more infuriating than arriving at the check-in desk and being told that your bag is overweight by a few kilos. Naturally, no one wants to leave their items behind, and no one wants to be financially stung on-the-spot. If you’re travelling alone, most of the time there aren’t any other options but to pay the extra fee, which tends to be expensive.
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Different rules apply to all airlines, which is why it’s always good to check the weight allowance per passenger. These can vary between 23 kg and 32 kg, depending on the airline and the ticket fare. However, it’s important to note that no piece of luggage can contain more than 32kg, and this stern rule applies at all UK airports.
Mick Temple, managing director of Heathrow, said: “We are committed to implementing safe working practices airport wide, which is why we want to make sure that all our airlines adhere to the same guidelines to help lessen manual handling injuries among airport staff.”
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Lifting your suitcase doesn’t work
As a former check-in agent, I would play the game of pretending that I didn’t see the person I was checking in had a kilo or two more than their allowance. However, there would be occasions when their bags would be too heavy as per the airport’s health and safety guidelines.
Don’t even try lifting your suitcase slightly to reduce its weight on the scales by also trying to distract the check-in agent, because it doesn’t work.
With honesty and a good attitude, if you’re lucky, the agent may waive the excess baggage fee if your luggage is a little bit over the limit, usually up to 2kg. Nonetheless, depending on the circumstances, exceptions can be made.
Passengers have to remember that check-in agents are travellers themselves, and they understand the feeling of having to open up a suitcase in the middle of the queue and rearrange it under pressure. During these occasions, the most important thing is to remain calm. If you’re travelling internationally, you should arrive at the airport two to three hours before your flight to avoid the stress.
Efforts should also be made to weigh the case before you come to the airport to avoid these awkward moments. No one wants to start their holidays on the wrong foot, right?