7kg carry-on weight limit is prohibitively low

i flew virgin atlantic a few weeks ago, and the flight was great, but they have a 7kg limit on carry on bags! that is ~really~ light. not only that, but the flight had plenty of room in the bins, ~and~ my other "personal bag", which i was allowed to carry on, probably weighed more than 7 kg because of the laptop and electronics, etc.

my suitcase (about 3.5 kg) was not very full. i had one change of clothes, a LIGHT rain jacket and a medium weight blazer, and that was 10kg. and it's size was actually tiny, it was only loosely packed so it would have totally fit in the bins.

i was told i had 3 choices:

1. "remove items from the suitcase." and what, throw them away?!
2. i could remove items and try putting them on my body and in my carry on.
3. i could check the bag. but my bag is a totally acceptably small carry-on.

i ended up checking it, and waiting an extra 20 min to pick it up at baggage claim. i ~hate~ checking my bags. i don't want to them to get lost, and i don't want to waste the time.

this limit is ridiculous. virgin should consider increasing it to maybe 12kg (my bag was 10kg). or better, yet, just go by size like other airlines.