Originally Posted by ashill

Though I (an American living in Australia) agree that the 7 kg is absurd, it is indeed common outside the US. Both Qantas and Virgin Australia have similar limits. (Qantas is 7 kg per piece, while VA is 7 kg total.) The argument is that it's a safety thing, since a heavy carry-on would hurt if it fell out of an overhead locker -- take that as you will.

At least some Qantas gate agents are quite aggressive about announcing the 7 kg carry-on limit, noting that it's much less than American airlines typically allow. VA check-in staff often weigh my carry-on at check-in and have forced me to check it when it's overweight. I presume that you checked in with a different airline (like Delta) at a different airport and were thus caught by surprise at the VA gate?

I am surprised to hear that you were nabbed on the domestic flight; VA (then DJ) haven't weighed my carry-on since 2010, so I've stopped worrying about the weight limit domestically. But the rules are quite clearly stated when you book a flight through virginaustralia.com, and they are also clearly stated on signs in the check-in area. I will note that passengers carry on significantly less luggage in Australia than in the US, probably partly due to this policy, and that means that both QF and VA can board a 737 in 15 minutes flat (whereas US airlines take about 40!). That more than makes up for the time delay in waiting for checked bags (which VA generally delivers quickly).

In the future, you do have the option to fly an American airline to Australia, though you don't have an option to avoid similar carry-on policies domestically in Australia. I don't like it either, but it is what it is. All told, both VA and QF provide a dramatically better experience on domestic flights than any US airline, I think (particularly the lounges).