Originally Posted by
PLeblond
Was on a flight AZS-YUL a few moons back. Passenger boarded with 2 suitcases full of what appeared to be university textbooks. She was not able to lift them into overhead bins by herself and FA needed to help (a 2 person job). Overhead bin door flew open on take-off. Passengers were lucky one of those bags didn't fall on someone (as has happened to me twice).
I've seen almost empty overhead bins that weren't closed properly or had something caught pop open on takeoff. Surely there is some sort of test of what is an appropriate weight when planes are certified!
Flying paid J on NZ and they weighed my laptop bag before boarding. Was called up to the check-in desk to do so at YVR as I came in from a connecting flight.
Which option is safer for weight and balance?
Weight and balance? I am not quite sure what you mean. There is no way that even a bag of textbooks in the overhead affects the balance of a narrowbody more than a random big guy passenger.
I've also had ridiculous weight limits on paid J flights, but I have never felt safer because I had to check my laptop instead of putting it in front of my seat.