It's difficult nowadays, as they need to have rules in place (and for good reason) to protect the ground staff. Imagine you were lifting items like that everyday for a living!

Max. I ever tried checking in was 38 kg, at LHR, on a flight to HKG. Obviously the agent said no. But she was kind enough to let me get it down to 32 kg then stick a heavy bag tag on it. So what happened to the 6 kg? It went into a hand carry, and I ended up wearing three winter jackets through immigration. Haha.

But isn't that what everyone does anyway? They're used to it and all the ground agents and security personnel just turn a blind eye. No?