I felt like a fool

I felt like a fool, Last week, my wife sponsored a flight with SAFAIR from George to Johannesburg for my 80th birthday to see my daughters. Having travelled for more than a million flying miles, I have come across Airlines who were very strict on Luggage weight and others were very lenient. Thus I expected that the airlines after the COVID19 disaster would be very strict, just to make some extra income. Thus reading the website, it was made clear, any hand luggage over the limits set by the airline i.e. 7 kg and the strict notice that the size has to be maximum 56 cm x 36 cm x 25 cm for hand luggage. It has to be placed in the hold at an extra cost of 250 Rand. However an extra small laptop bag was allowed. If exceeding the size for having the luggage not be able to be placed above the seats, the bag would be transferred to the hold. Needless to say, I measured the little suitcase. Unfortunately, because of the wheels and the studs, it exceeded the laid down size. I then decided to write an email to the airline and ask for clarification. Whether the size indicated as 56 cm, was for the luggage part only or did it include the wheels also. The answer was indeed included in the 56 cm. I then decided to saw the wheels and studs off and the suitcase became 57 cm and took it for granted that that would be O.K. The little suitcase was already old and I had to accept the modification. To my surprise when I boarded the airline I was the only one without wheels as everybody else had massive suitcase sizes and massive wheels way exceeding the 56 cm. I felt like a fool. The flights were excellent, professional handled and perfect in time. Next time I use my other suitcase.