Tigerair and Jetstar have implemented the pre-boarding weighing of all carry-on baggage for the last half of 2018, and now Qantas and Virgin have decided to do the same.
The change in protocol is an attempt to cut down the number of passengers who are boarding with carry-on luggage that exceeds the 7kg limit. All Australian domestic passengers of Qantas, Virgin, Tigerair and Jetstar flights can now expect to have their carry-on bags weighed at the check-in counter or before boarding at the gate.
Latest reports suggest the airlines will be employing more people to help enforce the new rules without increasing customer wait times.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is reported to support the move.
As an industry, we’re seeing many passengers trying to bring everything but the kitchen sink on domestic flights, which is causing flight delays as well as safety issues for cabin crew, ground crew and passengers. We’re seeing injuries to our cabin crew caused by closing overhead lockers full of heavy baggage, shifting bags in overhead lockers to assist guests finding space and assisting passengers with lifting their bags into the overhead compartments. Some of these injuries can be quite significant and may result in the crew member being unable to work for a period of time,” says Virgin Australia general manager of ground operations, Paul Woosnam, in a statement to news.com.au.
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