Hello to all,
A few months ago I had an issue with the TSA and the weight of my baggage, which I posted in the Safety forum. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...ML/000070.html

Since then, I have been pretty careful about weighing my bags anytime I have to check something, just to avoid the problem with the “50 lbs” rule.
So I’m traveling this week BWI to ORD, on UA(I know, I should really stay out of ORD at this point). At home, bag weighs 42 lbs. At BWI, bag goes on scale, weighs 41 lbs. When leaving ORD four days later, I weigh the bag at hotel before leaving, 44 lbs. I get to airport, weigh bag at UA, 53 lbs. and an over weight fee. I ask to have a different scale used, and they move the bag to the next one over, 51 lbs. I ask for a third scale, because I know nothing was added, and with a sigh the agent hauls my bag to the next gate over and weighs, 48 lbs., sorry for the confusion, no fee necessary.
So here are my questions for comment.
1) Does anyone have a similar story where they know their bags were under the set weight limits but the scales at the airport read them as high?
2) Do we want to give any thought or credence to the possibility that the scales have been set to become “baggage revenue enhancers?”
3) Does anyone know if the scales at the airport used at the gate are subject to state or federal regulation for their accuracy?

Thanks for your comments.

[This message has been edited by gerryallen (edited 06-10-2003).]