The weighing thing does happen in CPT but not consistently. (Well at least not since the soccer world cup when ACSA made up its own rules regarding carry-on weight limits which superseded those of all the airlines.) In my experience they waive the rule if you have a laptop in your luggage - or else they ask you to take it out and weigh it sans laptop. I once saw a chap rolling one of those huge lawyer's briefcases sail past a checker while my small roll-aboard was weighed. When I queried why, I was told that the other chap had a laptop case.
IME if there is weighing it will be as you join the queue to check in or as you leave the queue and make your way to security. My strategy would be to check in on line and either print your boarding pass or use a kiosk to print it. Then avoid going anywhere near the SA check-in desks (they are on the left as you walk from the escalators towards security on the far side of the departures hall) on your way to security. Once there you should be fine. (I have never seen them checking for oversized or overweight luggage at the aircraft door as BA sometimes does.)
I have most often seen them weighing at the entrance to security! After I check in online and never go to check-in desk, they turn me around (unless I slip them some $$, their suggestion, not mine)!
I have most often seen them weighing at the entrance to security! After I check in online and never go to check-in desk, they turn me around (unless I slip them some $$, their suggestion, not mine)!
Again I must ask: are you talking about JNB? Your most recent question was specifically about CPT and I have not seen them checking at the entrance to security there.
Which reminds me. The weighing and checking at JNB that I have experienced has been at the entrance to the security area closer to Terminal B (the one you would naturally use if connecting from a domestic or if your check-in desk was actually in Terminal B).
A different system operates at the other check-in area. Sometimes you are screened before you join the check-in queue (but often not at all). At that point you could claim to be checking in the bag and go to the check-in desk. I don't think there is any check should you "change your mind" and decide not to check it after all. Once checked in you walk behind the check-in desks to security and there is no further possibility of weighing your bags until boarding.
The flaw in this might be that at the initial screening they may put a tag on compliant hand luggage which the check-in agent may ask to see - or ask to weigh your bag again.
Just wondering what experience people have had on that side of international departures.
Which reminds me. The weighing and checking at JNB that I have experienced has been at the entrance to the security area closer to Terminal B (the one you would naturally use if connecting from a domestic or if your check-in desk was actually in Terminal B).
A different system operates at the other check-in area. Sometimes you are screened before you join the check-in queue (but often not at all). At that point you could claim to be checking in the bag and go to the check-in desk. I don't think there is any check should you "change your mind" and decide not to check it after all. Once checked in you walk behind the check-in desks to security and there is no further possibility of weighing your bags until boarding.
The flaw in this might be that at the initial screening they may put a tag on compliant hand luggage which the check-in agent may ask to see - or ask to weigh your bag again.
Just wondering what experience people have had on that side of international departures.
Sorry for the confusion. Original question was about CPT, but wanted to comment that I had seen them at the domestic and checkin area closest to domestic at JNB. You're right, if at the longhaul international checkin area, they rarely check! Good piece of advice...but would they let you walk behind the checkin counter without actually checking in?
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My experience was in CPT.
In Johannesburg I use protocol services. Having minders walk with you from lounge through security, immigration, and then drive you to the plane, normal checks and queues dont apply.
You're right, if at the longhaul international checkin area, they rarely check! Good piece of advice...but would they let you walk behind the checkin counter without actually checking in?
I really don't know - I was hoping someone might, though. There are usually so many people milling around, I'd think if you just flashed your BP and confidently marched through no one would challenge you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SAWorldVoyager
My experience was in CPT.
In Johannesburg I use protocol services. Having minders walk with you from lounge through security, immigration, and then drive you to the plane, normal checks and queues dont apply.
In Johannesburg I use protocol services. Having minders walk with you from lounge through security, immigration, and then drive you to the plane, normal checks and queues dont apply.
You're not JZ are you?
Oh no, I forgot, he has (or will soon have) TWO presidential 'planes.
) In my experience they waive the rule if you have a laptop in your luggage - or else they ask you to take it out and weigh it sans laptop. I once saw a chap rolling one of those huge lawyer's briefcases sail past a checker while my small roll-aboard was weighed. When I queried why, I was told that the other chap had a laptop case. 
