My bad, I didn't read the story that was linked here, I read it on-line elsewhere and stumbled on this thread. The other posted story listed the girls in age order with Annie, 13; Rebecca, 12; Carley, 10. Even with a 22yo in the family, the airline employees still probably have a bit more experience than the girls do with travel.

Even with rules, people can and do make exceptions. This wasn't going to be "Snakes On A Plane" after all.

I was allowed to check a bag that was 25kg when the weight limit is 23kg. The TA warned me, but nothing more. (Odd though that the bag was weighed at the hotel as 22kg before I left for the airport. I only purchased a bottle of water and it was in my hand.)