Hi All
Just back from sidari today had a brill time but i thought i would let you know how strict they are at corfu airport with you baggage we were 7kg over weight and had to pay 63 euros i really thought we were ok as all suncreams etc had gone but we noticed alot of people being charged today.It is 9 euro per kg over.
Claire
Message posted by tackou on 19 August 2008 at 7:40am - IP Logged
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Just must be the luck of the drawer or depends what day it is when we flew home in July my hubby and I were both over (don't know why) took same home as we had coming, we were both about 4-5 kg over and they never batted an eyelid! Had reports the previous week though about people being charged. Just thought do you look dodgy!! LOL
Message posted by Trace (Profile Location Assistant) on 19 August 2008 at 12:17pm - IP Logged
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Perhaps their scales were "out" and the ground staff knew that......perhaps the reading you saw, wasn't accurate, but the grounf staff were able to work out the real weight? (not ideal, but worked in your favour?)
May sounds a bit far fetched, but you never know lol
Message posted by DCV on 19 August 2008 at 12:26pm - IP Logged
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we went to corfu in june for 3weeks.so had quite a bit of luggage.so when we came back we expected to pay alot of excess baggage.we were in shock when we were about 10 kilos over and we didnt get charged(wow there must be a god) the year before at manchester we got charged £42 with english bacon,bisto granuals and all the other stuff are greek friends want.
i think its pot luck who checkes you in and if they got out of the right side of bed tha morning.
Message posted by Opal on 19 August 2008 at 7:56pm - IP Logged
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Opal
We always take with us Berkley digital weigh scales (50lb/23kg) that I use for fishing, many have borrowed it on our return.
Message posted by DAVID1 on 19 August 2008 at 8:01pm - IP Logged
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DAVID1
We were charged £56 at Glasgow in June Perhaps something to do with the loo seats and power shower! - DCV
Alison perhaps you should have used white van man??!!!
It's clear from claire 2's and other reports that the screw is definitely starting to tighten!! Yes people are still getting 'away with it' but an awful lot more people are being stung!!
David
Message posted by maxholland on 19 August 2008 at 8:40pm - IP Logged
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Hey Trace, if thats the case (pardon the pun!) I'm glad it worked in our favour. I saw the reading on the scales and it was definately over. Just feel sorry for people who do get charged especially on there way home puts a bit of a damper on don't you think. Think thats the way things are going to go though in the future, put up the price of holidays and charge you extra for your luggage, but one thing is for sure it will never stop any of us returning to our beloved Corfu!
Message posted by seaangler (Chat Room Administrator) on 19 August 2008 at 9:29pm - IP Logged
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seaangler
I have said this time and time again ..You can ask for the calibration sheet to look at(if you know your self that you think or sure that your case in under).(it has to conform to the weights and measures ..If it was not done on the day how do you know if the scales are working properly and charging you for being over weight..)You have your rights)to ask...The way people bang there cases on them scales bound to be out at some point...
I got away with it last year travaling with air Malta to Corfu..My case came up at 21.5 and they wonted to charge me...For excess..knowing that i new my case was under at 19.5...Until i ask when did they last calibrate there machine(I wonted to see there calibration docket)....The reson being going out of Gatwick one year i was chrage £105 for excess(that was for four cases)...And never to be calt out again...Chris
Message posted by jetstream7 on 20 August 2008 at 2:57pm - IP Logged
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Slight side step - I read an article in a newspaper last week which suggested that airlines would actually like to weigh passengers but they feel it would be seen as too policically incorrect. Apparently last year a passenger sued an airline for several thousands of pounds because she was squashed next to a lady weighing 23 stone who could only sit down if the arm rests were both up - her husband had requested to be seated in a different row of seats when they checked in!
Interesting to see how it would be done though - if you weigh, for example, 15stone and are 5ft you are obese, but if you're 6'6 you're not!! Perhaps it could be linked it with luggage allowance - what an incentive to lose weight - you could take more shoes!!!
Message posted by joolsk on 20 August 2008 at 4:45pm - IP Logged
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They'd probably have to do that on your BMI, though I must say personally I'd be horrified at the thought of being weighed by a complete stranger!
Back to the excess, our friends were over last year and they got away with it by trying to have a joke with the check in girl in greek!! However thye've learnt their lesson and didn't chance it again this year!
Message posted by seaangler (Chat Room Administrator) on 20 August 2008 at 5:22pm - IP Logged
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seaangler
Quote: Originally posted by jetstream7 on 20 August 2008
Quote: Just feel sorry for people who do get charged especially on there way home puts a bit of a damper on don't you think
No you don't think.
The luggage allowances are part of your contract with the airline / tour operator, so why whinge if you don't keep your part of the deal?
Yes it may well be but it is still a rip of...Ask your self why do they not charge a person or person on there own weight...Because they would get taken to the cleaners(How can any airline know as to the pay load for the persons its taking on board the aircraft.So the only way they can get more money out of you is with luggage...
Four years ago the wife had a window seat i was sat in the middle..I had a very large person sat next door to that even at to have an extension for his seat bealt..And for the first time even the armrest at to be up put up for him to even sitdown...Not that i am complaining(he can not help his weight he may have an illness of some kind)..But as you know in the press of late that people are getting bigger(as to children as well)..Have the airlines done any thing about the obesity of people for there comfort.....NO is the anwser...
..As you say to there contract.....The luggage allowances are part of your contract....So is not the seating in an aircraft(sandered room in second class)..As they have not taken the larger person into consideration have they...Chris
Message posted by marymouse on 20 August 2008 at 5:33pm - IP Logged
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Remember reading about a guy who was VERY large and paid for two seats to give himself some comfort. Check in gave him seats C and D !!!
May be an urban myth, but amusing!
Message posted by seaangler (Chat Room Administrator) on 20 August 2008 at 8:04pm - IP Logged
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seaangler
Kassi... And i bet he at to pay for the extra seat as well...
Marymouse...Why should the bigger person have to pay extra..The seats should be big enough in the first place to acomondate...All airlines are doing is baceing seating along the lines of me mr average..But not so in this day and age...More seats more money..Or as they say bums on seats = extra pounds..Chris
Message posted by kassi on 20 August 2008 at 9:16pm - IP Logged
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Exactly Chris - we went to Spain on a new XL in May - first flight. It was horrendous. 40 more seats than previously - and guess who suffered - yes, us poor passengers. Couldn't even turn the pages of a book without lifting the book over your head to do it! And it's a good job we didn't have meals, as no way would we have got the tray down. And we are normal average sized folk.
My son was with us and he's 6'4". Luckily because they had the little fella with them, who at 2 years old had to have his own seat, he was able to sit sideways and stretch his legs out a bit. Don't know how he would have gone on otherwise.
Paid for extra leg room seats on the way back.
Makes my blood boil - it is always the customers who suffer.
Message posted by marymouse on 21 August 2008 at 10:48am - IP Logged
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But if they made even some seats larger to accommodate overweight people it would mean less seats overall and put the cost of tickets up - customers suffer again!
Message posted by Ellenjay on 21 August 2008 at 11:28am - IP Logged
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Hi Ellenjay - yes it's the view over Kalami - we rented a villa up on the main road just next to Dimitris Taverna. The avatar is the view from the back of the villa. Perhaps unsurprisingly we just gawped when we got there!
To try and keep on thread - I think the airlines should try and come up with a weighing system for passengers, particularly as the price of fuel is rising. Sorry to be harsh, but the majority of overweight people are overweight because they eat too much, not because they have medical problems. And before anyone asks - no I'm not a stick insect, just somebody who puts on weight if I eat too much and loses weight when I diet!!!
Message posted by kassi on 21 August 2008 at 12:36pm - IP Logged
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So .... you get to the airport, you are weighed, you are 'above the norm' (whatever that may be set at), you are charged extra - can just see how that will go down at check-in!
Alternatively, you are weighed, you are a 'stick insect' - do you get a refund because you are below the norm???
Or do you have to state your weight when booking? How would that be policed?
Message posted by marymouse on 21 August 2008 at 12:42pm - IP Logged
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I did say previously that I dont know how it would be done, but we've all seen extremely large people on planes in seemingly increasing numbers. Airlines are now taking quite extreme measures to cut down on weight including stocking up less alcohol for early day time flights etc. It just makes you wonder if they will eventually have to instigate something even it's its health and safety - i.e. how do they calculate enough fuel etc?
Message posted by kassi on 21 August 2008 at 12:54pm - IP Logged
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Not disputing it is a problem Mary - just got a picture in my head of the chaos at the airport. God help the poor check in staff who had to break the news that there was an excess charge! Wonder if it would be same charge as excess luggage?
As for less alcohol on flights - personally I feel no alcohol should be served on any flights. Full stop. The antics of the few spoiling it for the rest of us - again. However, I don't see that taking less alcohol will have much effect on weight, as there would still have to be sufficient soft drinks provided.
I have a son who works as a despatcher (and has to work out weight and balance) and have talked to him about the weight issue, and how they calculate fuel, and even he can't explain it properly. Says they use an average (which average was worked out in about 1950 (?) when average weights were a lot less than they are now)
Or maybe they have hidden scales just in front of the check in desks, which we can't see??? :-)
Message posted by marymouse on 21 August 2008 at 1:00pm - IP Logged
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Kassi - I agree with you! It's nice to have a drink on the plane, but considering the amount of problems it can cause I dont know why they dont stop - although I suppose it comes back to making money. I dont in all honesty think the weight thing is doable - it would cause too much distruption - unless people were pre warned when they booked the tickets!
Message posted by Davey-Boy on 21 August 2008 at 2:50pm - IP Logged
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The Check-In Lady in Kefalonia the other week was very strict. We'd already pre-paid for 5 extra kilos back in the UK but she made us put everything on the scales including Gill's handbag, a little leather travel bag and my little top. We were well in but then went through to Duty Free and picked up 4 litres of Ouzo, two litres of Brandy, thre litres of wine, a few sleeves of fags, (more) perfume and several bags of sweets so what's the real point? And like someone said earlier about passenger's weights : I'm 16 stone but get the same standard allowance as somebody who's only 12 stone !
Soap-box away now
Yamass
Dave
Message posted by seaangler (Chat Room Administrator) on 21 August 2008 at 2:53pm - IP Logged
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seaangler
Just found this bit of news that you will find interesting to read..Bit late for me now to complane ...But as follows.....From The TimesAugust 14, 2008
Fat flyers - issue that’s just too heavy to tackle
A surcharges on larger travellers would be more effective then losing a few extras Helen Nugent: Commentary
It’s not politically correct, could lead to legal action and is unlikely to be admitted publicly, but airlines would like to weigh their passengers.
((((Telling customers that they are “too fat to fly” and imposing surcharges on larger travellers would do far more to reduce fuel consumption than removing a few earplugs and paper cups. Airlines believe, however, that such a policy would provoke a furious backlash.)))
Levels of obesity have trebled in the past 20 years and airlines often receive complaints from passengers who have been squashed by fat neighbours.
Six years ago Virgin Atlantic was forced to pay £13,000 compensation to Barbara Hewson after she was crushed by a female passenger on a flight from London to Los Angeles.
Related Links
Weight-watching airlines shave off pounds
The 23-stone American woman was so large that she could fit into the seat only with the armrest raised. Ms Hewson was outraged to find that the woman’s husband had asked not to sit with his wife.
Message posted by marymouse on 21 August 2008 at 3:02pm - IP Logged
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The international "average" weight per passenger used to be somewhere around 11.5/12 stones. I believe that this has been revised upwards, to something like13.5/14 stones. But a ircraft take off wieght is much more complicated as it must take into account freight, luggage, fuel load and the atmosperical conditions (including wind strenght and direction).
It's not unknown for a flight crew to calculate the required fuel load (and have it pumped aboard) only to have the wind change direction. This might then mean that, on the opposite runway direction, it might not be possible to maintain the correct terrain clearance due to rising ground etc, with the result that weight must be lost, otherwise the aircraft cannot take off. It might also be that the wind strength is much less than predicted or the air become much more humis (which will affect both the amount of lift available and the power available from the engines).
Martyn
Message posted by Rixy on 21 August 2008 at 8:48pm - IP Logged
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I agree with Davy-boy once you are through to departures you can buy as much as you like regardless of the extra weight,but there again they are getting your money in the duty free.
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Topic:
Perhaps something to do with the loo seats and power shower!
