Payload Optimized [The Definitive Thread]
#106
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
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that may be the case but gate agents intimidate customers to the point that their bags won’t make it until they give in......I witnessed this in MSP and thought it was awful.
#107
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Dayton, OH/CVG
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Had it today: Denver to Atlanta MD 90, flight 74. The GA's made several announcements. I don't think people knew enough to freak out.
#108
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: ATL
Programs: A few
Posts: 133
May be a result of adding fuel for routing around the afternoon pop-up thunderstorms this time of year.
Additional fuel will reduce max payload
IME, I've never seen pax or bags bumped before cargo, so I'd suspect that dispatch or the PIC opted to add fuel, thus reducing payload.
Additional fuel will reduce max payload
IME, I've never seen pax or bags bumped before cargo, so I'd suspect that dispatch or the PIC opted to add fuel, thus reducing payload.
#109
Join Date: Mar 2003
Programs: former MD-88 jumpseat Medallion. DL FO, AA PLT PRO. Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 752
Remember that for weight and balance purposes, the FAA authorizes the use of standard weights. A passenger, combined with their carry-on bag, is assumed to weigh 190 lbs in the summer (and 195 lbs in winter). A standard checked bag is assumed to weigh 30 lbs.
If the gate agent is stating that the flight is payload-optimized, and also gate checking bags, any bag that gets gate checked causes a 30lb hit. Once the bag goes in the bin, it has to be accounted for in the weight. Yes, this seems counter-intuitive, since whether your bag is in the overhead or the cargo bin, its still "on the airplane," but that's not how it works with standard weights.
If the GA gate-checks 10 bags, that's an extra 300 lbs of weight. This isn't normally a big deal, but on an MD90, DEN-ATL on a hot day with thunderstorms in the forecast in ATL, it *might* be a big deal, and the dispatcher would set a weight limit to make sure that limit isn't exceeded.
If the gate agent is stating that the flight is payload-optimized, and also gate checking bags, any bag that gets gate checked causes a 30lb hit. Once the bag goes in the bin, it has to be accounted for in the weight. Yes, this seems counter-intuitive, since whether your bag is in the overhead or the cargo bin, its still "on the airplane," but that's not how it works with standard weights.
If the GA gate-checks 10 bags, that's an extra 300 lbs of weight. This isn't normally a big deal, but on an MD90, DEN-ATL on a hot day with thunderstorms in the forecast in ATL, it *might* be a big deal, and the dispatcher would set a weight limit to make sure that limit isn't exceeded.
#110
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: California
Programs: AA Advantage Gold, Rapid Rewards A list, Sky Miles Gold Medallion, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 403
Remember that for weight and balance purposes, the FAA authorizes the use of standard weights. A passenger, combined with their carry-on bag, is assumed to weigh 190 lbs in the summer (and 195 lbs in winter). A standard checked bag is assumed to weigh 30 lbs.
If the gate agent is stating that the flight is payload-optimized, and also gate checking bags, any bag that gets gate checked causes a 30lb hit. Once the bag goes in the bin, it has to be accounted for in the weight. Yes, this seems counter-intuitive, since whether your bag is in the overhead or the cargo bin, its still "on the airplane," but that's not how it works with standard weights.
If the GA gate-checks 10 bags, that's an extra 300 lbs of weight. This isn't normally a big deal, but on an MD90, DEN-ATL on a hot day with thunderstorms in the forecast in ATL, it *might* be a big deal, and the dispatcher would set a weight limit to make sure that limit isn't exceeded.
If the gate agent is stating that the flight is payload-optimized, and also gate checking bags, any bag that gets gate checked causes a 30lb hit. Once the bag goes in the bin, it has to be accounted for in the weight. Yes, this seems counter-intuitive, since whether your bag is in the overhead or the cargo bin, its still "on the airplane," but that's not how it works with standard weights.
If the GA gate-checks 10 bags, that's an extra 300 lbs of weight. This isn't normally a big deal, but on an MD90, DEN-ATL on a hot day with thunderstorms in the forecast in ATL, it *might* be a big deal, and the dispatcher would set a weight limit to make sure that limit isn't exceeded.
#111
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
If that does happen - and combined with the ongoing densification trend - and you will see planes that used to be able to safely make certain routes more likely to become "payload optimized".
#112
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,120
an article from 2016
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/averag...ry?id=41100782...
"Researchers from the CDC found that the average weight of U.S. men over the age of 20 has increased to 195.7 pounds, according to data from 2011 to 2014. The former average, 180.7 pounds, was based on data from 1988-1994. The heights of both men and women remained about the same.Women and children are not immune to the slow weight gain of recent decades, either. The average woman in 1960 weighed 140.2 pounds. Today, the average weight for a woman is 168.5 pounds. Adolescent boys and girls seem to be the most at risk, with a 12 pound average weight gain -- proportionately more based on height -- compared to 20 years ago..."
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/averag...ry?id=41100782...
"Researchers from the CDC found that the average weight of U.S. men over the age of 20 has increased to 195.7 pounds, according to data from 2011 to 2014. The former average, 180.7 pounds, was based on data from 1988-1994. The heights of both men and women remained about the same.Women and children are not immune to the slow weight gain of recent decades, either. The average woman in 1960 weighed 140.2 pounds. Today, the average weight for a woman is 168.5 pounds. Adolescent boys and girls seem to be the most at risk, with a 12 pound average weight gain -- proportionately more based on height -- compared to 20 years ago..."
#113
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
an article from 2016
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/averag...ry?id=41100782...
"Researchers from the CDC found that the average weight of U.S. men over the age of 20 has increased to 195.7 pounds, according to data from 2011 to 2014. The former average, 180.7 pounds, was based on data from 1988-1994. The heights of both men and women remained about the same.Women and children are not immune to the slow weight gain of recent decades, either. The average woman in 1960 weighed 140.2 pounds. Today, the average weight for a woman is 168.5 pounds. Adolescent boys and girls seem to be the most at risk, with a 12 pound average weight gain -- proportionately more based on height -- compared to 20 years ago..."
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/averag...ry?id=41100782...
"Researchers from the CDC found that the average weight of U.S. men over the age of 20 has increased to 195.7 pounds, according to data from 2011 to 2014. The former average, 180.7 pounds, was based on data from 1988-1994. The heights of both men and women remained about the same.Women and children are not immune to the slow weight gain of recent decades, either. The average woman in 1960 weighed 140.2 pounds. Today, the average weight for a woman is 168.5 pounds. Adolescent boys and girls seem to be the most at risk, with a 12 pound average weight gain -- proportionately more based on height -- compared to 20 years ago..."
#114
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
Remember that for weight and balance purposes, the FAA authorizes the use of standard weights. A passenger, combined with their carry-on bag, is assumed to weigh 190 lbs in the summer (and 195 lbs in winter). A standard checked bag is assumed to weigh 30 lbs.
If the gate agent is stating that the flight is payload-optimized, and also gate checking bags, any bag that gets gate checked causes a 30lb hit. Once the bag goes in the bin, it has to be accounted for in the weight. Yes, this seems counter-intuitive, since whether your bag is in the overhead or the cargo bin, its still "on the airplane," but that's not how it works with standard weights.
If the GA gate-checks 10 bags, that's an extra 300 lbs of weight. This isn't normally a big deal, but on an MD90, DEN-ATL on a hot day with thunderstorms in the forecast in ATL, it *might* be a big deal, and the dispatcher would set a weight limit to make sure that limit isn't exceeded.
If the gate agent is stating that the flight is payload-optimized, and also gate checking bags, any bag that gets gate checked causes a 30lb hit. Once the bag goes in the bin, it has to be accounted for in the weight. Yes, this seems counter-intuitive, since whether your bag is in the overhead or the cargo bin, its still "on the airplane," but that's not how it works with standard weights.
If the GA gate-checks 10 bags, that's an extra 300 lbs of weight. This isn't normally a big deal, but on an MD90, DEN-ATL on a hot day with thunderstorms in the forecast in ATL, it *might* be a big deal, and the dispatcher would set a weight limit to make sure that limit isn't exceeded.
#115
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
I would agree with this if overhead bin sizes were consistent across planes - but they are not. For example, many of Delta's new planes have much larger overhead bins with significantly greater capacity. Does Delta increase the weight estimates when this occurs? I don't think they do (I could be wrong).
#117
Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
Programs: Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Delta Diamond/1MM
Posts: 4,635
A while back, my day of my double bump (and $1000 in credits), was due to weather and weight issues. I was lucky since I was in MSP and got to hang out with lots of friends and get some extra money for future trips. The first flight they needed 10+ off, and I was initially boarded then asked off (happily) after the final checks. The funny part was when I got off, a lady pax was said, "if they need extra weight off, why did they pick him??" I'm 6'5 but pretty lean lol
#118
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: delta Skymiles
Posts: 1
Same Experience
Last evening I was waiting in ATL in the "A" concourse for my delayed DCA flight when I heard an agent at a nearby gate make this announcement:
"This flight to Houston is a designated Payload Optimization Flight. There are empty seats. We have standbys. We are waiting word from operations headquarters on whether we will be allowed to board any standbys."
I have never heard this phrase before. Is it a blip? Or might we be hearing more of this in the future?
ATL to IAH is not very far so I don't think having enough fuel should have been a problem. In about fifteen minutes, the answer came back, "yes". They were told they could board the standbys.
"This flight to Houston is a designated Payload Optimization Flight. There are empty seats. We have standbys. We are waiting word from operations headquarters on whether we will be allowed to board any standbys."
I have never heard this phrase before. Is it a blip? Or might we be hearing more of this in the future?
ATL to IAH is not very far so I don't think having enough fuel should have been a problem. In about fifteen minutes, the answer came back, "yes". They were told they could board the standbys.
#119
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
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I recall it occasionally when I lived in SoCal and flew NW out of ONT.
And I've heard it occasionally on intl flights.
Sometimes, I think cargo may generate more revenue than passengers.
And I've heard it occasionally on intl flights.
Sometimes, I think cargo may generate more revenue than passengers.
#120
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
With that said, it also wouldn't surprise me if it was regular old cargo that Delta is flying for a nice premium. It's the week after Black Friday / Cyber Monday, I can guarantee you that virtually no plane is flying with an empty cargo hold at the moment.