Qantas computer says no to heavy bags

[Ryan N]

Qantas computer says no to heavy bags
By Steve Creedy
From: The Australian
January 25, 2011 12:00AM

THE days of Qantas check-in staff turning a blind eye to overweight bags are numbered after a crackdown made possible by the airline's new self-service check-in technology.

Qantas domestic economy passengers used to sneaking a few extra kilos into their checked luggage will instead find themselves facing a computer demanding a $20 "heavy fee" from June 1.

While the new fee replaces a more onerous $10-per-kilo excess baggage charge, technology allows it to be more easily policed and means it will be more consistently applied.

The next-generation check-in system, designed to slash queueing times and being rolled out nationally, means passengers now weigh and label their cases before taking them to a bag drop.

Bronze frequent flyers, and those who do not belong to the Qantas loyalty program, will not get their boarding pass until they cough up the additional charge for bags sitting between the 23kg free limit and the 32kg maximum allowable weight per suitcase.

A Qantas spokeswoman said there would be some flexibility in the system but would not reveal what kind of error factor it would allow.

The flying kangaroo is also changing to a piece-based baggage system that will also slug many travellers $30 if they turn up at the airport with a second suitcase and another $60 if they have a third.

They will be able to halve those charges by booking in advance using the airline's website and they will still be better off than passengers on airlines such as Jetstar and Tiger, which charge for the first piece of luggage.

Silver, Gold and Qantas Club members travelling in economy will be limited to one suitcase but a 32kg allowance will allow them to avoid the heavy fee.

Top-tier platinum members will be able to take two pieces of luggage each weighing 32kg.

And upper-tier frequent-flyer members can look forward to more generous allowances when they travel in business class.

Silver and Gold members travelling in business can take two pieces of luggage each weighing 32kg, rather than a combination of cases to a maximum limit of 40kg.

[Ryan K]

And the Jetstarisation continues.....

Not that long ago you could take 32kg for free. Now, it's 23kg and if you're just 1kg over this it's a $20 fee!

[Paul McFarlane]

But on the other side, you could be 5kg over and still only pay $20 and not $50!

[Erik H. Bakke]

So in order words if you're going to be over, you'd better do it in a spectacular fashion

[Ash W]

Originally Posted by Ryan K

And the Jetstarisation continues.....

Not that long ago you could take 32kg for free. Now, it's 23kg and if you're just 1kg over this it's a $20 fee!

You could also say that Qantas are changing their practices to suit modern business and airline practice.

[Matt_L]

Was over by 4kg the other day with Virgin and didn't get charged.... yet have been charged flying QF Business when ive been over

[Ash W]

Matt, who knows tomorrow you could be flying Virgin and get charged and fly Qantas in economy and you won't get charged. It's all about luck of the draw and how 'sorry for you' (or lazy) the agent feels.

Of course this is part of the thinking behind new gen check-in. It takes away some of the human uncertainy and applies the rules in black and white. Clearly a much fairer system.

[Cam L]

Originally Posted by Erik H. Bakke

So in order words if you're going to be over, you'd better do it in a spectacular fashion

Yes you hit the nail right on the head there. Oh and jetstarization is such a good word. So am i hearing this right, a national rollout from june?

[Matt_L]

Fair call Ash just was what I experienced - I agree tho it would vary ..

[Zac S]

If you are weighing and labeling the bags yourself wouldn't each be just as easy to remove some heavy items from your bag, weigh it and then put the items back in?

Just a thought