In Reply to: YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED !! posted by Fly boy on Tuesday, 18. April 2006 at 05:09 Bali Time:
Ok, here goes:
The aircraft has a maximum take-off weight calculated on a full fuel load, full passenger list and the allocated weight of each passengers baggage.
At check in the total number of passengers are taken into account, the expected weight of their luggage (including carry on). This is then used to calculate the fuel required to make the trip from point A to point B. The aircraft will not take on a full fuel load if only three quarters is needed. If you notice, the aircraft is still being fuelled while you are waiting to board. This has been calculated based on final check-in weight of all baggage. For any aircraft to run efficiently, they only carry the necessary fuel load with a "fudge" factor should they need to avoid storms or be delayed in landing at destination point.
So, in short, there is more to "excess" weight that just getting away with it! Wouldn't you think safety is more important?
If you want to exceed the airline's limited, then pay.
My offerings only.