The Australasian regional account manager for Hu-Friedy, which manufactures dental instruments, may be all right on international flights, but said she would be severely penalised if Air New Zealand introduced luggage limits on domestic flights.
"I'm furious. All these instruments we have - I can't put them in my hand luggage as they are seen as dangerous under rules they've already brought in,'' she said.
"And, now, under these new rules, I'll have too many bags.
"But what can I do? I have to wear clothes.''
Air New Zealand is considering bringing in changes for luggage, with occasional travellers allowed one bag free but being charged between $10 and $20 for a second one, regardless of the weight of the bags.
Frequent flyers, defined as those taking 14 flights or more a year, will get two bags free using a personalised tag system. All passengers with three or more bags will be charged at cargo rates.
Domestic luggage allowances will be up to 30kg a passenger. Existing baggage charges come in about 23kg at $5 a kg, or $35 extra for a 30kg bag.
No changes would be made to hand luggage rules. Mrs Goode, from South Australia, said she did not fly often enough within New Zealand to qualify for the frequent flyer allowance.
Work colleague Robyn Watson, of Auckland, said she might not be as disadvantaged as Mrs Goode, as she flew more often, and would qualify as a frequent flyer.
But she said there appeared to be confusion over the new rules, and Air New Zealand staff at Auckland airport could tell her nothing about the new proposal.
Wyndham farmer Geoff McRae, about to catch a flight from Dunedin International Airport, said he thought the new luggage plans were a bit cheeky for an airline sitting on a $2 billion cash fund.
He said most people did not abuse the luggage allowances, and wondered why the new rules had to be introduced.
Dunedin International Airport Ltd chief executive John McCall said he had some reservations about the proposed system.
Air New Zealand had signalled changes at an airports conference last year, but it had still been a surprise.
Another part of the airline's proposal is the creation of a "fast bag'' system, under which luggage would be put in a bag on a trolley beside the plane, which would be loaded last and taken off first.
Mr McCall said that could create issues over being able to control passengers on the tarmac.
An Air New Zealand spokesman said no decision had been made on when the changes would be introduced.
