[jimworcs]

Let's start here... I think some of these rules are petty and designed to increase revenues and for no other reason.

But, you did not pay a $454 "penalty" for being 3kg overweight on your hand luggage. You were given three options.

1. Fly without the equipment
2. Check it in
3. Upgrade to a higher class of service, which offers a more generous baggage allowance.

You selected the latter. For that you got a wider seat, more leg room and space and a more generous baggage allowance. You chose that service to fit your circumstances and you got the whole service. It is ridiculous to reduce it down to "I paid $454 for 3kg"... AND it is nonsense.

By now you were irritated... did you really file a complaint with the flight and ground crews that the Captain's announcement was too loud in your earphones? Have you perhaps got a bit too much time on your hands?