Thread drift Hi
oldpax, the thorny subject of hand baggage has been discussed here many times and you will find several threads that go through the reasons why it happens.
The key one being: If one carrier rigidly enforced the baggage size and weight rules - and did so for a year - they would lose customers. Many, many pax consider it their right to take on more weight than is 'permitted' and will change carrier if prevented. The carriers know this of course, and weight and balance the a/c for the 'hidden' extra weight.
If you can get ALL carriers to respect the rules and get ALL airports to manage the size and weight rules correctly ... you will be the official ruler of the universe.
