Originally Posted by
pushmyredbutton
Correct me if I'm wrong, but when they offload for weight and balance, airlines don't do it based off of a passenger's actual weight. Instead, they use an established benchmark weight - one for males, and one for females? If that's the case, the OP's actual weight has no bearing here.
You’re exactly right.
The FAA determines the average passenger weight not United. Included in the passenger weight are carryons, personal effects, coats, etc.
Ever wonder why you’re limited to “one carryon and one personal item?” Why heavy bags are considered 50+ pounds. I could keep going, but you get the point. Everything is outlined by the FAA for weight and balance standardization for 121 carriers.
Last year the FAA increased the PAX weight averages and it caused some seats on the 757 to be restricted on some flights to avoid being overweight for taxi and takeoff.
United doesn’t care is someone weights 278 pounds or 110 pounds, if they’re male or female. It’s an average passenger weight for each person and that’s what is recognized by the load planners.