Arizona state agency warns of inaccurate baggage scales

An Arizona state agency is warning travelers to pay attention when airlines weigh their bags because the scales may not be accurate.

Inspectors from the Arizona Department of Weights and Measures checked the scales in 22 terminals at Phoenix's Sky Harbor and Mesa Gateway and Tucson International airports earlier this month. In several instances, airlines determined that bags were either heavier or lighter than they actually were, Arizona's KJZZ reported.

There were also times when the scales didn't reset in between bags, the station reported.

Kevin Tyne, the agency's director, told the Arizona Daily Star that inspectors found that nearly one of every four scales at the three airports were out of compliance with state regulations.

The department tested 201 scales and found 56 violations, the Arizona Republic reported.

Tyne said some of the infractions were technical, such as failing to post notices of how much more it costs to have an overweight bag. But many of the problems were also with the scales themselves.

The Star points out that airlines charge anywhere from $50 to $100 for every bag that exceeds 50 pounds. Those with even heavier bags of 70 pounds or more can end up paying up to $200.

Shawn Marquez, the agency's compliance director, told the Star that he's not surprised the scales are not in great shape. One problem: Tickets agents often walk on them while helping customers put their bags on the scales.

"Those scales take an absolute beating," he said. "If you watch when you're at the airport, people are just throwing those bags on there."

Marquez told the Star that one way travelers can avoid inaccurate fees is to weight their bags on their bathroom scales and make sure they are below 50 pounds. But if they're overcharged, they can contact the agency and ask for an investigation.

Marquez told KJZZ that the overall compliance rate was lower than it had been in previous years. He said inspectors recommended almost $5,000 in civil penalties.

The airlines with the highest number of inaccurate scales in Phoenix were Aeromexico, Hawaiian Airlines, Jet Blue, Frontier, and Air Canada, according to KTAR.