Now I'm packing for the flight next week and while checking the airline's regulation I found out that they only allow 5 kilo for carry-on.

What the hell?

Well, I know nobody pays any attention to that, but I just don't get it, you see, that guy over there could be 100 kilo heaver than me (or more) and he's paying the same price I paid. Well, I'm not saying that the ticket price should vary depending on body weight, but rather that that 5 kilo for carry-on does not make any sense, since "Carry-on baggage must be stowed underneath the seat in front of the passenger or in the overhead compartment." I don't think the floor will collapse under the seat just because the carry-on is heavier than 5 kilo. Sorry mate, regulation is regulation, this bag has to be checked in, that would be US$140, you want to pay in credit card or cash?

So did you really go to the airport and they told you this?

Everytime i've been to the airport, they have never checked the weight of my carryon, they never really had the chance to. So unless the airline guy/gal told you you couln't carry that bag on, i would just ignore it. Maybe they say that because the overhead apartment can only hold a certain amount of weight and they dont want to have a ton of heavy bags stuffed into it, and have the risk of it falling? i dont know if that's the fact, im just thikning aloud.

I have never heard that there is a limit on weight but the is a limit on the size.. I just got back from a trip to Texas and they NEVER weighted my carry on.

There IS a weight limit, and that's a structural safety limit of the overhead luggage compartments. For sure, there's probably a fair margin in there, but still, there is a real limit.

I always carry on my camera, lenses and laptop. It's more than 5 kilo, but I haven't had problems, except when they say it's bigger than the bag should be. I since changed bags and now have a carry on backpack that carries all that stuff, but I can cinch the bag shut with the straps on the side and really compact it to look like next to nothing, so I don't get stopped anymore for having a bag that looks too big (I used to carry it all in a duffel bag).

Koffee

They never said that to me, I was just mimicking you know. The thing is I used to tour with 2 panniers only so there was no problem with one rear pannier in the cabin (but my gear already over weighted 5 kilo, so I had to pay the fine). But this time I'm going with 4, I put as much as I can in a duffel bag that when bust to the seams it looks pretty big, but still within the size limit, I'm just worrying that they will weight it then and tell me to pull some stuff out.


Yeah, like a compression bag, good idea, I can strap some bungees to the duffel bag and make it look smaller, good, think I'll be able to pass with no problem, we'll see.

I have never seen a womans' purse (and that includes some REALLY large purses) questioned. If you are male...dress in drag and carry a big purse.

I have flown on MANY US airline flights and have never seen a carryon bag weighed. Maybe if you were straining to dragi down the jet ramp they would question it, but otherwise, no problem. I gurantee the average laptop bag weighs more than 5 kg.

Very true... I often carry my ReLoad bag as my "purse" knowing that I'm taking advantage of the purse thing... that's where I keep all my carry on stuff (the real carry on stuff). My camera and laptop go in the backpack. No problems once I figured out how to work the system.

Men get away with briefcases... I've seen this. They'll have their carry on and a briefcase bulging with... something. Men should get a briefcase and a backpack and that should be enough for them to also get around the rule.

Japan Airlines is the only airline I've had problems with. They mean business and will weight and measure your carry on and everything... and they mean ONE carry-on, and no exceptions, unless you fly business or first class.

Koffee