On this side of the pond, in our operation we see differences between MCDU speeds and FAC speeds, sometimes significantly. We believe that at least some of the difference is due to the FAA's "standard passenger and carry on baggage weights."
The FAA told the airlines to increase the allowance for the average weight of female passengers and their carry-ons from 145 pounds to 179 pounds in the summer, and from 150 pounds to 184 pounds in the winter.
The average weights for male passengers with carry-ons were increased from 185 pounds in the summer to 200 pounds, and from 190 pounds to 205 pounds in winter.
For children ages 2 to 12, the weight estimates were raised slightly, from 80 pounds for both summer and winter to 82 pounds in summer and 87 pounds in winter.
To add to this problem my company was the leader in charging for checked baggage. So what do customers do? Attempt to stuff everything in the overhead.They would bring grand piano's on board if they could find a place to stuff them.205 is barely enough to cover the actual weight of many of our "super-sized" folks.The new rules are a set in the right direction but we Yanks are fat. Let's face it; as a nation we have high obesity rates and that 205 number on a 180 seat airplane doesn't always get it, especially with the heavy bags.
Last edited by Zaphod Beblebrox; 10th Apr 2017 at 22:29.