From time to time we read about concerns with carry-on baggage, but in Australia there is a possibility of a major problem caused by "baggage handlers" calling a strike.

Our main airline QANTAS currently allows the following baggage limits for checked bags -
Domestic ........ 32kg (44lb) economy per piece with business (no first class on domestic) allowed more pieces.

International to USA ...... 32kg (70lb) economy, higher classes more pieces.

All other International.... 20kg (44lb)economy
30kg (66lb) business
40kg (88lb) first

The problem is that there is manual handling involved getting bags into the containers that go in the hold or physically stacking in smaller planes. This has caused severe injuries and there is a dispute between the "baggage handlers" and QANTAS.

Apparently British Airways restricts weight of bags for all classes to 23kg per bag with higher classes allowed more bags.

On the surface seems a reasonable complaint with handlers loading about 600 bags per shift - who in their right mind would want to carry a 40kg bag?

Anyway, if anyone is planning coming here keep a watch on what is happening over the next few weeks because if there is a strike it will affect all airlines.

[title edited to be more descriptive]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Colleen,