Lois Larson
Tricks to deceive luggage weight scales at the airport have been shared widely online, with some travellers reporting that airport scales have shown their luggage to be heavier than readings from their personal scales. Some travellers have suggested pushing the scale upwards with their foot to reduce the weight of their luggage, while others have recommended placing luggage on its side or leaving a portion of the bag off the scale. However, some have criticised these methods as dangerous, arguing that they could compromise the safety of the aircraft by affecting weight and balance calculations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Push the scale upwards with your foot | This trick works when there is a small space between the scale and the ground. |
| Place luggage on its side | This may prevent the full weight of the luggage from being reflected. |
| Use the airport's own scales | Some airports offer scales in the check-in area for passengers to weigh their luggage. |
| Weigh luggage at home | To avoid surprises at the airport, weigh your luggage on multiple scales at home. |
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What You'll Learn
Push the scale upwards with your foot
Pushing the scale upwards with your foot is a trick that can help you avoid extra baggage fees at the airport. This trick involves taking advantage of the small space between the scale and the ground. By placing the tip of your shoe in this space and pushing upwards, you can make the scale register a lower weight than the actual weight of your baggage. This allows you to carry more items without incurring additional charges.
To successfully execute this trick, look for scales that have a slight gap between the platform and the ground. Older terminals and airports like Santiago in Chile are more likely to have these types of scales. Once you spot the gap, discreetly slide the tip of your shoe underneath the scale and gently push upwards. This action will lift the scale slightly, reducing the measured weight of your luggage.
It is important to note that this trick may not work with newer scales that have sensors or conveyor belts. Additionally, even if the scale is an older model, there is a chance that the airline staff may notice your manoeuvre. They may adjust the bag or the scale to get an accurate reading, so be prepared for the possibility of failure.
While this trick can provide a temporary solution to overweight baggage, it is essential to exercise caution and good judgement. The weight restrictions on baggage are in place for the safety and comfort of all passengers and staff. Excessive weight can pose challenges during loading and unloading, and it can also impact fuel consumption. Therefore, it is advisable to pack judiciously and follow the weight guidelines provided by the airline to ensure a smooth and pleasant travel experience for everyone involved.
Although pushing the scale upwards with your foot can be tempting, it is important to remember that it may not always be effective, and it could potentially impact others. As an alternative, consider investing in a luggage scale to weigh your bags before arriving at the airport. This proactive approach can help you avoid unexpected fees and ensure a more seamless check-in process.
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Place luggage on its side
Tricks to get around luggage weight limits at the airport have been discussed on various forums. One of the most popular methods is to place the luggage on its side on the scale and use your foot to lift it slightly. This can reduce the measured weight by a few pounds, but it is a tricky maneuver to pull off without being noticed.
To successfully place your luggage on its side and trick the scale, follow these steps:
- As you approach the luggage scale, be casual and confident. Avoid drawing attention to yourself or your luggage.
- Place your luggage on the scale on its long side, ensuring it is stable and doesn't roll away.
- Quickly and discreetly position your foot so that your toe or heel is under the edge of the scale or your luggage.
- Apply upward pressure with your foot to lift the luggage slightly. This will reduce the measured weight.
- Hold steady and watch the scale reading. Adjust your foot pressure as needed to stay within the weight limit.
- Be prepared for the check-in agent to ask you to move back or step aside. They may notice the fluctuating weight or the unusual position of your luggage.
- If the agent doesn't notice your trick, they will approve the weight and your luggage will be accepted without any overweight charges.
It is important to note that this trick may not work at all airports, especially those with newer or more sophisticated scales. Additionally, attempting to deceive the scale can be considered unsafe and unethical, as it can affect the balance of the aircraft and endanger the lives of passengers and crew. Use this trick at your own risk, and consider simply packing lighter or paying the overweight luggage fee if necessary.
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Weigh luggage at home
Weighing luggage at home is a great way to save yourself from incurring unnecessary and inflated airline fees. It is a low-effort and low-cost process that should be part of your pre-flight preparations. Here are some tips to weigh your luggage at home:
Purchase a handheld or digital luggage scale: These scales are small, portable, and easy to use. They provide an accurate measurement of your luggage weight and can be easily stored in a bag or luggage. Certain scales also have a unit conversion feature, allowing you to track weight in both kilograms and pounds.
Use a bathroom scale: If you don't want to invest in a luggage scale, you can use a regular bathroom scale. Place the scale in an open area, away from walls or furniture. Weigh yourself first and jot down the measurement. Then, step back onto the scale while holding your luggage. Try to position yourself and the luggage in the centre. Record this measurement and subtract your initial weight to find the weight of your luggage.
Weighing your luggage at home allows you to avoid excess baggage fees and makes your travel experience less stressful. It gives you the opportunity to shed some inessentials or book extra baggage allowance at a cheaper rate before arriving at the airport. Additionally, you can plan to arrive at the airport early and use their scales to double-check your luggage weight, giving you time to make any necessary adjustments.
While there are some tricks mentioned online to manipulate the scales at the airport, such as pushing the scale upwards with your foot or placing your luggage in a specific position, these methods are unethical and may not always work due to varying scale designs and vigilant check-in agents. Therefore, weighing your luggage at home and being mindful of weight restrictions is a more reliable approach.
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Use an airport with self-service scales
Some airports have self-service scales that allow passengers to weigh their own bags. These scales are usually located in the check-in area or attached to self-bag-drop kiosks. Atrax Group, for example, offers a self-service scale unit that comes in two sizes, including a narrow option suitable for use alongside self-bag-drop kiosks. The unit features a clear digital readout that is easy to see under airport lighting.
Using an airport with self-service scales can be beneficial if you want to avoid potential issues with inaccurate luggage weighing scales. It allows you to check the weight of your baggage yourself and make any necessary adjustments before proceeding to the official baggage check-in process. This can help you avoid unexpected extra fees for overweight baggage.
Additionally, some airports offer publicly accessible luggage scales that are separate from the check-in process. These scales may be available at designated locations within the airport or at unoccupied check-in desks. For example, Berlin and Frankfurt airports in Germany have free-to-use scales that passengers can access.
It is worth noting that while self-service scales can provide convenience and peace of mind, it is important to be mindful of the weight restrictions set by airlines. Overpacking or attempting to manipulate the scales can lead to issues during the official baggage check.
Furthermore, it is always a good idea to weigh your luggage at home before arriving at the airport. By doing so, you can make informed decisions about your packing and reduce the likelihood of unexpected weight issues during your travel.
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Hang luggage off the edge of the scale
Tricks to hang luggage off the edge of the scale to reduce the measured weight may only work in European airports that have two belts and where the agent is sitting down. In this scenario, you can place your luggage lengthways and let a portion of it hang off the edge of the scale. Since the scale is only under the belt, some of the bag's weight will be captured by the metal housing around the belt. This trick will only work if the check-in agent is not paying attention or cannot see the scale due to their setup, where they are sitting at their computer while you load your luggage onto the scale.
It is worth noting that this trick may not work in US airports since they do not have an auto-feed system into the conveyor belt. Instead, the check-in agent physically lifts the luggage onto the conveyor belt behind the counter, making it difficult to hang your luggage off the edge of the scale without being noticed.
While these tricks may help reduce the measured weight of your luggage, it is important to remember that exceeding the weight limit can impact the fuel efficiency of the aircraft and cause inconvenience to the staff loading and unloading bags. Therefore, it is always best to try to adhere to the weight restrictions set by the airline.
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Frequently asked questions
You can try pushing the scale upwards with your foot to reduce the measured weight of your luggage.
You can try tossing your luggage onto the scale so that the bottom third is on the floor.
You can weigh your luggage at home using a bathroom scale or a digital luggage scale.
You can leave a comfortable margin under the maximum weight limit when packing your luggage.
