Loving all of the great comments. Thanks a bunch!

Baghoarder, from your post I extrapolate a confirmation of the 14lb rule for onebagging. Basically, as soon as one gets over 14lbs or so, it makes sense to start taking a second bag for a more balanced load and less stress on a single shoulder.

Ryvyan, you are right within my "rule" with your weight. Because my 14lb (6.35kg) are meant to be net weight of packed goods without the bag around it. Whereas your 7kg include a 1.6kg bag. So you are easily in line. You even beat it. Plus you have the added advantage of the MEI Voyageur (I read that it's a very good bag) being a backpack convertible. Worn as a backpack and using the waist strap, I think you could even pack more. The fact that you don't need to means you're a very good packer.

For me, on a business trip, it is really hard to stay in the 7-8kg limit. And, yes, Lufthansa has weighed my carry-on bags, even my rather small briefcase which was outfitted with backpack straps (Briggs Riley BB107). This makes me think that it might be a good idea for those convertible users to hide aways the backpack straps when you are at the gate or check-in, and to nonchalantly hand carry the bag, don't even use the shoulder strap. Hand carry would probably suggest the lightest bag to a superficial observer and backpack carry the heaviest - independent of what is actually in the bag.

Till