Ban on heavy luggage will hit surfers

A Report in the Sunshine Coast Daily  says that a threat by Qantas baggage handlers to ban luggage weighing more than 20kg could hang surfers out to dry along with thousands of other travellers.

Transport Workers Union complaints over the increase in heavy lifting injuries to its members has led to a vote by handlers to introduce the weight bans.

If enforced, the bans would see the 32kg baggage limit on Qantas domestic flights slashed to 20kg while the current 40kg cap for first class international passengers would be halved.

The union action could put further limitations on Boeing-bound board riders, who were still seeking political support to overturn a decision by British Airways last year to ban surfboards from its flights.

Yesterday the three major airlines flying from the Sunshine Coast – Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin – said they had no plans to change their existing surf board carrying policies or follow BA’s lead by banning boards altogether.

Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway said the airline’s policy for surfboards on domestic flights allowed travellers a 30kg limit which included boards no bigger than two-metres in length, while international flights allowed boards up to 2.7 metres.

Virgin Blue spokeswoman Amanda Bolger said the company considered itself a “surfer friendly” airline by carrying boards up to 2.04 metres on their E-Jets and boards up to three metres on Boeing aircraft.

Ross Phillips, owner of surf holiday company Tropicsurf, planned to catch on a Qantas flight to Perth today with a couple of boards.

He reckoned he would be under the 20kg limit but believed other surfers who breached the limit would simply go where their needs would be accommodated.

“Surfers will always travel with their boards so the airlines that embrace that will always get their favour,” he said.

A Report by The Mole from the Sunshine Coast Daily