Originally Posted by
FlyWorld
It was not done at the gate. It was done in the check-in area.
EK created a "roped in" area in front of the area where you proceed to the gates. So, you go to check-in lobby, check-in, and then go into this baggage control regime where your bags are counted, checked, and weighed, and then after passing through that new control, you go to immigration, security, and gates. So if you transit within the secure area from gate to gate, you're not subjected to this control. If you leave the airport and re-enter, you get snared by it. As a result, two pax on the same exact itinerary are treated very differently depending on whether or not they choose to leave the secure area on a long layover.
I'm amazed that anyone considers "one bag less than 7kg" to be reasonable.
That pre security check has been at DXB for a bit. I've gone through it in June. When they wouldn't let me in with my roll-aboard and slim laptop case (14 inch laptop) I walked away and tried again when they were arguing with someone else. Just walked past.
I am in favour of sensible enforcement. And that is more size than weight related. If I check it in the net weight of the aircraft is still the same so weight based enforcement doesn't have much of a point beyond protecting overhead bins from overloading but on average I'm sure they're still rarely ever over the limit even with everyone putting a 10kg case in. Backpackers with the 1m backpack with all gadgets attached however shouldn't be allowed on, nor the full size suitcase variety. I sacrifice additional luggage space to be able to travel without checked bags and stay within size limits. I'm typically about 4-5kg over and am never stopped or if I am usually talk my way out of it pretty quickly. Never been stopped during boarding where in India every other group is pulled aside to be gate checked. The trick is to make the bag look light when you lift it.