Originally Posted by
MrClean
interesting. Just a couple of months ago at MIA a skycap refused to check my 51 pound bag without extra charges. I called a supervisor over who agreed it couldnt be checked for free. According to him it might create the impression that any tips were for the "favor" of allowing me one extra pound. I thought it was odd to be making such a big deal out of one extra pound. I took the bag inside (they made no offer to wheel it in for me) where it weighed less than 50 lbs and the ticket agent checked it with no problem (I have no doubt she would have checked it even if it would have weighed in at 51 lbs). This thread makes me wonder if the skycap was going to try to charge me excess luggage and pocket it. The conversation didn't get as far as where and how much I needed to pay, as I wasn't about to pay for a measly pound. Obviously, I didn't even tip them.
By that point, the skycaps were probably aware that they were being monitored and started strictly following the rules. (Airline-affiliated employees do talk ALOT!) Unfortunately, a couple of months of enforcement doesn't negate seven months of "fradulent behavior".
My earlier post was not intended to imply that somehow AA should overlook weight and balance issues. Clearly, several accidents over the years have been attributed to overweight situations.
However, I do the employees affected were very clearly warned and briefed, before they started the "sting operation" in the name of SECURITY (rather than safety). After all, the airlines tacitly allowed this in the past (which will probably be part of the skycaps' defense at trial).