If I recall correctly the FAA mandated an increase in the average weight estimate per passenger as the rate of obesity increased in the USA.
At one point/once upon a time checked luggage was weighed as it was checked in.
When airlines started charging extra for checked luggage rather than carry-on, presumably they lost track of however many extra pounds people would stash in their carry-on luggage to avoid getting charged an extra $60 or whatever.
I know that I try to carry everything I can with me, if only to avoid the concern about it getting lost at a transfer point, or to skip the wait in the baggage area.
Last edited by visibility3miles; 9th Apr 2021 at 21:48.
Reason: Spelling