MichaelWTravels

While checking our one piece of luggage (Kim, Lucas and I shared one bag) and getting Lucas' boarding pass for our current trip to Louisville & Nashville, I was amazed at what I saw at the counter to my left. One man was trying to check some of the oddest items I've ever seen.

We were at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA), about to fly for the first time with Southwest Airlines.

Southwest might have one of the most generous checked baggage policies out there. They allow two checked pieces of baggage per ticketed customer. The maximum weight is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches.

I think we all expect to see people checking various kinds of luggage, an oddly taped shut box or even a surf board on occasion.
However, the gentleman to my left was trying to check two 50 pound dumbbells!

At first I thought the guy worked for the airline and was checking the scales for accuracy but this was not the case. He really wanted to check his dumbbells!

When I realized what was going on, I started to listen to the exchange between the guy and the Southwest customer service agent. It was kind of comical in some ways. I'll try my best to explain.

Since Southwest allows two pieces of checked baggage, up to 50 pounds each, the man figured he could bring along and check two 50 pound dumbbells. I guess the numbers add up, so why not was my feeling. (I can't say that I would ever attempt to check such a ridiculous item)

There was a problem with checking the dumbbells and it wasn't due to what they were. It was a weight issue- the scales were saying that the man's 50 pound dumbbells actually weighed 52 pounds. The Southwest agent said that he would have to charge a fee of $50 due to the extra weight. He also mentioned that in 99% of these scenarios the person could just take a couple of things out of their bags but since they were weights there was nothing to take off. (Really??)

The man mentioned how he flew Southwest a lot and asked if there was any way they could help him out. The agent apologized and said that he could not. Before I walked away, I asked the man if he minded if I took a picture of his dumbbells. He didn't mind and even turned one so I could see the 50 marked on it. We chatted for a minute or two and he mentioned that his brother gave him the dumbbells so he figured he could bring them along due to Southwest's baggage policy. I told him how I found it funny that SW was saying his 50 pound dumbbells weighed 52 and told him that he must be stronger than he realized!
I then wished him good luck while he stayed, still trying to get his dumbbells to fly at no extra cost.

Kim and I laughed about it as we walked away and thought nothing of it until we were getting ready to board. The dumbbell man spotted us and told us how he got the dumbbells on the flight and did not have to pay the over-weight fee!

Good for him! I learned two things due to this.

If I ever want to buy dumbbells and travel with them, it is allowed
Dumbbells might not be their advertised weight (or Southwest's scales are off by a couple of pounds)

If you've ever seen an odd item checked (or try to get checked) for a flight, I'd love to hear what the item was! Feel free to leave a comment below!

Doc Savage

I checked a cooler with 50 lbs of frozen halibut from ANC to DEN a few years ago....

KelseyR

I saw 2 cases of Bud Light duct taped together on a luggage carousel in AUS.

Doc Savage

I thought toxic waste was prohibited on airliners.

Trumpkin

Just over a week ago I saw a stack of plastic chairs that had been checked for a domestic flight.

juniorsu

Good thing they didn't try to carry on through security...I always see people chugging their drinks before going

tommyleo

That's a great story!

BTW, just for the heck of it one day at my gym, I put several dumbbells on a scale. None of them were at the marked weight.

im.daniel

Haha, that's pretty awesome. I checked in a volleyball in a plastic bag a few months back - got a few strange looks here and there!

Mr. Vker

Watching a show a few months ago about ops at MIA. A flight to Cuba had some VERY unusual items checked-including a kitchen sink. People wearing MANY layers of clothes, 4-5 hats. etc.

pragakhan

So did he switch them to a different scale to see if they really where 52lbs?

BigBopper

Interestingly enough, the state of Arizona last week fined Southwest for having inaccurate scales. I believe the article quoted a state official saying that the scales are off in about 70% of cases due to agents walking on them and customers carelessly tossing on their bags.

I'll see if i can dig up the article.

tentseller

Had to buy four coolers after our Homer fishing trip 2 yrs ago. Those cheeks were lovely grilled.

Wilson? (Castaway - Tom Hanks)

If TA claim your bag is overweight, use a different scale. You will be amazed at the different readings.

schwarm

Those weights weigh 50 lbs +/- a few ounces at most.

Scale is not properly calibrated. QED

Pinkmoose

On a recent trip to Cuba, I saw insane things on the carousel. They included 4 x alloy rims with the tires ridding along separately, a small bar fridge, Boxes of Coke Cola all taped together and several plasma TVs.
Needless to say, my luggage never made it and it arrived 2 days later.

RacingJunkie

I would sooner believe the scales are inaccurate before I believe the weights were two lbs over. Good way to get fees maximized.