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New York Airport Scales Now Accurate, No Thanks To American

As if you needed another reason to not check your bag: New York's Department of Consumer Affairs has cited American Airlines for using inaccurate scales at its check-in counters--after the agency told the carrier to take the faulty machinery out of service.

The DCA checked all 810 scales at JFK and LGA and found 102 of them to be improperly calibrated, though inspectors wouldn't say if displays were reading heavier or lighter. Though every other airline told of a scale problem immediately remedied the situation, American didn't, said one DCA employee:

American Airlines is the biggest violator, and they continued to use 10 scales after they were issued a stop-use order. It's kind of curious that all 10 were only with one airline. We are going to check on them regularly.

The Department of Consumer Affairs says all scales--except the 10 it's condemned--are now accurate. Still, passengers transiting NYC airports would be wise to look closely when checking bags: If you spot a red "condemned" sticker, demand a different scale and file a report with the DCA.

Related Stories:
· Airport Scales Enforcement Sweep [NYC DCA]
· JFK Scales of Injustice [AP, via NYP]
· Airport Hell coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Noël Zia Lee]