Be Aware, TAP is very strict about carry-on weights

This sort of incident is why some of us get concerned when folks show up here, practically begging to be assured their too-large bag will not be measured and their too-heavy bag will not be weighed. Those luggage policies exist for a reason--to make a lot of easy money for the airlines.

Wow!

I wonder why the gate checked carry-on fee was €125 when the TAP website says the following:

Charges for excess hand baggage
Please note that if you reach the boarding gate with cabin baggage that exceeds the allowed weight, size or number, it will be carried as checked luggage and the following fees will apply:
From 70 EUR – On domestic and European flights or flights to Morocco.
From 85 EUR / 106 USD / 134 CAD – On intercontinental flights.
Only credit or debit card payments will be available at the boarding gate.

I know that most airlines charge a fee for having to gate check luggage, but €125 sounds a bit excessive.

I don't think the only reason for these fees is easy money. For years Europe has had better air passenger rights and taken injuries in the air seriously. If you have had luggage fall on you, you know why they keep the weights low.

I don't think the only reason for these fees is easy money

Its the money

If it were a safety issue the regulators would have taken action by now ( and there would be uniformity is the permissible bag size).

I wonder why the gate checked carry-on fee was €125 when the TAP
website says the following:

Charges for excess hand baggage Please note that if you reach the
boarding gate with cabin baggage that exceeds the allowed weight, size
or number, it will be carried as checked luggage and the following
fees will apply: From 70 EUR – On domestic and European flights or
flights to Morocco. From 85 EUR / 106 USD / 134 CAD – On
intercontinental flights. Only credit or debit card payments will be
available at the boarding gate.

Did you notice the word "from"?

Yes, I read something on the website that encouraged you to pre-purchase a bag for significantly less than the fee to gate-check it. Our plan is to do carry on over (prepping with our handy-dandy luggage scale) and then check one bag on the way back. I'm glad I read all the dire warnings about TAP because while we've been generally careful of luggage size and weight, we've also been lucky so far!

I've been reading a lot of reviews for TAP carry-on restrictions. We do plan to follow their size/weight restrictions, and are carefully weighing bags. But, I'm wondering if anyone has had experience carrying on a CPAP (or other medical device). We have traveled on many airlines and the CPAP has always been considered separate and exempt from size/weight/# of carry-on bags allowance. The TAP website isn't exactly clear, but it seems they require "prescription/prior approval" and it may be counted toward the allowance (i.e. in lieu of personal item?)

I have read reviews that say TAP is much more strict when departing from Lisbon, which won't be a problem because we will check in most of our bags, but on the way over we do like to have several changes of clothes in carry-on, along with camera equipment and small electronics. I'm mostly concerned about flying out of Boston, we'll be fine on weight and dimensions of carry on and personal item, just aren't sure about the CPAP.

Have you contacted TAP to see if you can carry it on in addition to your regular limits?