Anonymous wrote:It’s always a risk if the plane is really crowded. If you are in business class, they’ll let you get away with it. If you are in economy, they will be looking for people to check bags if they look American sized or potentially heavy - so it’s always on the table.

Right but if they are going around trying to get people to gate-check their bags in that situation, it's usually at no charge.

Anonymous wrote:Is this for carryon? They won’t weight it. Checked bag? Yes, though that’s an unusual amount for weight restricted check bag.

Pretty sure that is for a carry-on. I've been asked to fit the luggage into the holder to check the dimensions, but I've never had the weight of a carry-on checked AT the gate. Sounds like maybe they would check at the counter so maybe just aboid that? Also, will you have an under seat personal item? Could you just throw the toiletries in there to be safe?

It’s always a risk if the plane is really crowded. If you are in business class, they’ll let you get away with it. If you are in economy, they will be looking for people to check bags if they look American sized or potentially heavy - so it’s always on the table.

Anonymous wrote:I flew Lufthansa last month. The bag I carry on for all US carriers was not allowed. I had to check it at the gate, as did many other passengers.
On another note, my flight back to the US was almost completely empty, at least in my section of the plane. I guess Europeans aren't coming here.

+1 This has been my experience with European carriers - even if it fits the US carry-on standards. On a recent flight, I did what I thought was carry-on only - I was asked to gate check my bag when they saw me getting on the airplane. It was within the specs weight and size but I got the sense the minute they see a roller bag they just make you check it.

Anonymous wrote:I flew Lufthansa last month. The bag I carry on for all US carriers was not allowed. I had to check it at the gate, as did many other passengers.
On another note, my flight back to the US was almost completely empty, at least in my section of the plane. I guess Europeans aren't coming here.

Maybe all the Europeans were already here and went back on your flight over.

I flew Lufthansa last month. The bag I carry on for all US carriers was not allowed. I had to check it at the gate, as did many other passengers.
On another note, my flight back to the US was almost completely empty, at least in my section of the plane. I guess Europeans aren't coming here.

The most likely time for them to weigh it is at check in when they ask if you are checking the bag. I’ve had them weigh whatever I said was carryon and yep had to check due to weight. When I avoided the counter altogether no one asked.

Lufthansa is German. They are VERY likely to check everything and also to be Germanic -- rigid -- about both rules and fees.

If you also have checked bags or need to check in at the ticket counter for any other reason then yes they will likely weigh/require you to check your carryon if it is over weight. If you are traveling carryon only and can check in online then you should be fine (as long as your carryon meets the appropriate dimensions).

Is this for carryon? They won’t weight it. Checked bag? Yes, though that’s an unusual amount for weight restricted check bag.

What airlines do you typically fly where they don’t weigh your luggage? Every airline I can think of where I checked bags, you place your bag on a scale while they tag them.

Bah. 17lbs is tough. The kids are sharing a suitcase because we can't fit 5 suitcases in our car so this may be a lost cause. What a bummer.

I would make sure it's 17 lbs or less

Yes, they probably will.

Are they really going to weigh my luggage out of Dulles? 17lbs seems like nothing (right now my suitcase is 16.8lbs bwfore toiletries).