Weightlifters To Be On Hand At Two Airports

Britain's strongest men could face their toughest task yet when they attempt to persuade air travellers to pack lighter Monday. The men will be on hand at two of the UK's busiest airports, Heathrow and Manchester, to help passengers to guess the weight of their luggage before they check-in as part of a three-pronged campaign by Unite, the UK's biggest union, to urge travellers to cut the weight of airport baggage to 23kg -- or 51 pounds.

Unite says heavy bags are causing millions of passengers to face extra charges for failing to travel light, and could be contributing to the accidents and injuries caused by workers shifting heavy bags. Passengers that do "Lighten Up" will also be helping the environment as lighter planes mean less fuel which in turn means fewer harmful co2 emissions.

'Lighten Up' will be launched by Britain's strongest men, Rob Frampton at Heathrow Airport 's Terminal 2 at 10am and Laurence Shahlaie at Terminal I/Check In, Manchester Airport from 6:00 am, both on Monday. The strong men will be highlighting to passengers that there is no standard weight over which airlines charge for excess or amount changed per kilogram.

For example, a family of four travelling within Europe on a return ticket with one bag each weighing 51 lbs could pay anything between zero excess at British Airways, up to $400 at Easyjet... and nearly $1,500 at ultra-low-cost airline Ryanair. Unite officials and representatives will also be on hand, and joined by local MPs, to encourage travellers to travel light by following their "23 tips for 23kg" guide.

"Last minute charges levied at the departure gate for excess baggage can hit cash -- conscious holiday makers hard," said Steve Turner, Unite national officer. "The way airlines charge for luggage is bewildering and varies enormously from carrier to carrier so our advice to the travelling public is wisen up and 'Lighten up'. Spend your money aboard not getting there."

Two years ago, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Aviation Industry Committee agreed to reduce the weight of checked-in baggage from 32 to 23 kilograms per item. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has also backed the call... However, Unite is concerned that revenue-hungry, recession-hit airlines may be tempted by excess charges to passengers and so not motivated to get behind the new safe 23kg limit.

"Heavy bags cause problems for everybody. They cost the public dear, boost harmful co2 emissions and contribute to the injuries suffered by airline baggage staff. Most people think that baggage handling is fully automated. The reality is that a bag can be lifted up to a dozen times on a journey," added Turner.

The union notes baggage handlers are five times more likely to suffer muscular skeletal injury than any other worker in the UK according to Britain's Health, Safety and Environment office.

FMI: www.amicustheunion.org