I'm going to be flying ICN > HKG > SFO in about 3 weeks and have never flown Cathay before. I understand that both ICN and HKG, along with Cathay, are all pretty strict about weight limits for carry-ons.

I have a camera backpack that's going to weigh in almost exactly at their 7kg limit. I'm going to try to ensure that it doesn't go over, because I really can't be forced to check the bag. If necessary I'll put one of my ~1kg lenses in a pocket while they weigh the bag.

Additionally, I'll have a laptop in a briefcase-like soft bag, which I understand counts as my personal item. Are personal items weighed, and if so, do they count toward the 7kg hand-carry limit? That's another thing I really can't be asked to check, because like the camera gear, it's expensive, and the data on the laptop (and accompanying external drive) is irreplaceable if lost.

Now we have my checked bags... I called Cathay's baggage department at ICN and talked to them about baggage. Flying economy, I'm entitled to 23kg of weight in each checked bag. That's fine for my guitar case (can you tell by this point I'm bringing home a year's worth of stuff?), but my suitcase is about as large as possibly permissible, and a lot of stuff is going into it. I was told that between 23.01 and 32kg I can pay for excess baggage. If it's around 25kg do you think they'll enforce the policy?

I hate having to cut limits so close on all accounts. I don't mind paying an extra fee; I just don't want to have to check my carry-on since I can't find any trip insurance that covers $6000+ in baggage value.