Originally Posted by
tornado163
Airlines have been price gouging passengers on so many fees lately, that I will take any opportunity I can to save money. If I'm traveling between Europe and the US, I get 1 free bag. If all my stuff fits in it and it's under the weight limit, I'm only taking 1 suitcase. Given the choices of 1 free heavy bag, or paying $100 for a 2nd bag to make both bags light, I will take the free option. The same applies for domestic travel when I would have to pay a considerable amount to add another bag just to make my bags lighter. If baggage handlers don't like it, they should ask airlines to reduce baggage limits, not ask passengers to change what they're transporting. Or they could pay me to use a 2nd bag and make their jobs easier.
There are at least a few airlines (non-US) that set baggage allowances based on weight or a combination of weight/pieces, ie, (IIRC), each pax is allowed 50 pounds total checked or 50 pounds total across 2 (or 3) bags. Gives some pax incentive to carry 2 (or 3) smaller bags instead of one large one, as long as total weight is kept low. Also gives savvy pax incentive to go with lighter weight luggage if using multiple pieces, because bag weight can eat up part of that luggage allowance.
I feel for the baggage handlers, but I think their issue has to be with the airlines (or their unions), not with the pax, many of whom either never give the handlers a thought, assume they are strong from handling so many bags every day, or haven't got a clue what their bag weighs.