Public Outrage as Airlines Weigh Carry-On Bags at Gates

Vietnam Airlines has come under scrutiny for using mechanical scales instead of electronic ones to weigh excess baggage at boarding gates. This approach has raised concerns about professionalism and passenger experience.

Photos of the market-style scales are being shared widely on social media, leading to intense discussions online. These images show passengers having their hand luggage weighed at the boarding gate, a practice that some find unsettling.

One passenger described feeling "trapped" when their luggage was checked at the gate. They explained, "At the check-in counter, if your bag exceeds the limit, you have options: remove items or purchase extra baggage." However, at the gate, passengers have no choice but to pay when they are stopped just before boarding. "It doesn’t feel like using a service; it feels like being ripped off."

Vietnam Airlines allows economy class passengers to carry a total of 12 kg, which includes one main item of up to 10 kg and a smaller personal item such as a handbag or laptop. The decision to inspect hand luggage at boarding gates, rather than just at check-in counters, has led to a wave of complaints.

Experts in the travel industry have criticized this practice as unprofessional and inconvenient for passengers. It is seen as damaging to the industry's image. Nguyen Tien Dat, vice president of the Hanoi Tourism Association, mentioned that some airlines are mishandling inspections and creating an "unsightly" impression. He added that the use of market-style scales for checks at the gate is "inappropriate."

Dao Minh Hien, an aviation researcher in Australia, pointed out that Australian airports are equipped with electronic weighing stations across terminals. This allows passengers to check their luggage themselves. He hopes that Vietnamese airports will implement similar systems to reduce disputes and improve the passenger experience.

Leading global carriers routinely check hand luggage at boarding gates. For example:

• Singapore Airlines permits only seven kilograms for economy class and states that staff "may check baggage at both the check-in counter and before boarding." However, it collects overweight items for checking in rather than collecting baggage fees.
• Japan Airlines has a 10 kg limit and warns that oversized or overweight bags "may be checked at the departure gate."
• All airlines use electronic scales for these checks.

Amid the recent disputes, Vietnamese aviation authorities issued a directive stating that weighing hand baggage at boarding gates should be done without inconveniencing passengers. This move aims to address the growing concerns among travelers and ensure a more seamless and professional experience.