Question: "overloaded" planes & the rules
My apology if this is in the wrong forum or is a stoopid question - I recently flew Aeromexico (domestic flight) on a peak holiday day and my fellow passengers (mostly local) had a HELLUVALOT of hand luggage - some huge pieces, and some were carting three bags on. My seat was just above the baggage loading door and I observed some histrionics on the part of some baggage handlers arguing about some suitcases that were being loaded on their own but that wouldn't fit. The bags were carted elsewhere (out of sight, so I couldn't see) then the baggage compartment door was shut. When the plane took off it felt REALLY heavy, lumbering along the runway and seemed to take ages to get airborne. The air crew gave safety instructions in Spanish but some of the instructions weren't given in English. My question - does overloading matter for take-off, or are fuel economy and the risk of cabin baggage flying round the only reasons for baggage restrictions? Do some airlines break the rules as a matter of course?