Airlines accused of using faulty scales.
Posted by
on Monday, November 24, 2008
The Department of Consumer Affairs has been cracking down on faulty scales that are not properly calibrated for use at major airports around the country. When tested at New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, investigators found 14% of the scales at JFK and 4% of the scales at LaGuardia were overestimating the weight of bags by at least one pound. A one pound difference today at the airport can add up big time during your check in. Some airlines charge up to $100 for overweight bags.
The DCA found a total of 102 scales were not working properly during their investigation and ordered them to be shut down immediately. While most of the airlines abided to this ruling, they still found 10 broken scales being used by American Airlines. DCA Commissioner Jonathan Mintz commented on the broken scales, “That kind of improper weight can, particularly now, when every penny counts, really make an impact on a consumer's wallet.”
So how will you know if you are using a broken scale the next time you check your bags in at the airport? Simply look for the red “CONDEMNED” sticker that was slapped on the side of the scale by the agency.
And consider weighing your own bags in front of the check in agent with this handy device.
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Reader Comments
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They ought to slap them with a hefty fine per scale. A fee FOR the airlines -- what goes around comes around. If the scale issues persist, maybe they can use the $$$ to reduce the deficit :-)
by lionfan on
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
I would have thought that these scales would have been sealed by the Department of Weights and Measures, just like gas pumps and scales in stores. Having scales that are just a little off in their favor could make a ton of money for an airline. I would love to see the airlines have to pay a fee for once. Oh great, now we'll be seeing "Baggage Scale Calibration" surcharges added to the price of a flight instead of Fuel Surcharges.
by yellowfever on
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
When they tested at Sky Harbor in Phoenix the faulty scales were all weighing in favor of the passenger rather than the airline!
by sallym on
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
To add to this story, in addition to the red "CONDEMNED" stickers, American Airlines was indeed fined $1,500.
by on
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Passengers should stand together and request 1st baggage not be charged.
by gudnuff on
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
I recently flew out of EZE (Buenos Aires) earlier this month and the scale at the counter that I happened to go to was reading -10kg with nothing on it. I looked at the other ones and they all read 0.
The scale issue is not only troublesome to customers if they would be charged excess fees, but the airline should care they don't have accurate weights on baggage they load into their aircraft. Just wait until an airline has an accident and someone looks at scales and sees they are inaccurate. That could bankrupt them with lawsuits. (Assuming they aren't already!)
by ealid on
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
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