How to deal with inaccurate luggage weighing scales at an airport?
TL;DR: What options does one have at (US) airports when they know the luggage weighing scales are inaccurate?
This has happened twice now. My bags always appear heavier when measured at the flight check in counters. The weighing scales at the airport show them heavier by at least 5 pounds.
One time at Atlanta airport, although I was surprised that my luggage was overweight, the lady behind the counter didn't bother about it, but the last time I flew out of Dallas on an AA-Qantas flight, the lady behind the counter asked me to pay 100 bucks for going over my limit because the scale at the airport showed 50.5 lbs while the permissible limit is 50 lbs. When I asked to be re-weighed I was asked to join the end of the queue for further assistance as I was holding up other passengers for my 'irrational behavior'. I just had to pay up as I would have missed my flight.
I still want to know what options does one have at (US) airports when they know the luggage weighing scales are inaccurate?
Best Answer
So this had been bugging me as it'd never occurred to me before not to trust their scales, but your question makes perfect sense, especially as you've checked all your scales. So I did some digging.
CBS Local in Boston did an investigative spot check with an inspector - (all airports are meant to be tested and standardised) and found 30% of them to be inaccurate/broken - although only 2 pounds out at the max. LAX had a pass rate of 94%, while Ontario was 73%.
It says something that the inspector himself says he travels with his own set of scales:
Hobica actually travels with his own personal scale to make sure he’s not overcharged because of a faulty scale.
So that's one possible solution - to travel with your own set.
Lifehacker quotes Hipmunk who quotes a Wall Street Journal article saying that between 6 and 77% of airport scales are inaccurate by at least a pound.
Another of the Lifehacker articles suggests that digital luggage scales might be a 'travel essential'.
Pictures about "How to deal with inaccurate luggage weighing scales at an airport?"
How accurate are airline scales?
The latest inspection report from the Los Angeles County Weights and Measures Bureau found that 86% of the scales tested at Los Angeles International Airport were accurate to within one-tenth of a pound. The bureau tests the scales annually, using very precise weights.How do you calibrate a luggage scale?
You'll need to pay an excess luggage charge if your luggage is heavier than your allowance when you check-in. Each airline also has a restriction on how heavy each piece of luggage can be, and some airlines will only allow 1 piece of hold luggage per person. Please check directly with the airline for details.What happens if your bag is too heavy at the airport?
Many hotels realize that their customers might forget a luggage scale and need to quickly weigh their luggage before the flight. So they usually will have larger scales available in the lobby or behind the desk that you can use for free or for a small fee. At the airport.Portable Luggage Scales | Review of 2 Popular Brands
More answers regarding how to deal with inaccurate luggage weighing scales at an airport?
Answer 2
To save $100 fee take out an article or piece of clothing that weights 1/2 lb and either put in your carry on bag or wear it. Then get bag reweighed.
This is fast so you can still make your flight, avoids the fee and doesn't waste time arguing over the scale accuracy. I have done this several times at check in without problem. The key is putting your bag on the scale early in the check in process so you can see the weight while the gate agent is working on your ticket.
Some airports such as LHR have public scales and repacking areas to make this task easier. I use a digital scale and usually double check the weight at the public scale.
Answer 3
One obvious solution is to take luggage with a comfortable margin under the (theoretical) maximum. If you know that “23 kg” really means “about 20”, there is no need to agonize about scale accuracy or to weight everything three times and you can travel without worry.
Incidentally, luggage allowance does vary quite a bit. Would you have chosen another airline or paid a higher fare to get 23 instead of 20? Do you absolutely need 20 kg of luggage or is there something you could have left home? If not, it's not completely rational to get worked up because the limit was supposed to be 23 and turns out to be a bit lower.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Victoria Borodinova, Philippe Bonnaire, Andrea Piacquadio, Oleksandr Pidvalnyi