FA: "My insurance doesn't cover that."
Oct 31, 2008, 8:32 pm
#1
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FA: "My insurance doesn't cover that."
I was on a DCA-ORD flight on Tuesday when a female passenger asked one of the FAs if he could lift her heavy bag into the overhead compartment. He shook his head and said, "No. My insurance doesn't cover that." I assumed he was kidding, but he was not smiling and made no effort to help. As a couple of passengers got up to help, another FA (a woman) grabbed the bag and lifted it, avoiding a potentially awkward situation.
Anyone heard of this?
Anyone heard of this?
Oct 31, 2008, 8:37 pm
#2
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And I thought FA's were there to help? 
Oct 31, 2008, 8:42 pm
#3
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The primary purpose of a FA job is for safety, but they are also expected to assist passengers with their needs as well, so this FA simply did not want to do any work.
Oct 31, 2008, 8:44 pm
#4
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Oct 31, 2008, 8:45 pm
#5
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Actually, I would bet that United's workers compensation insurance DOES cover that. Sounds like this FA just really didn't want to help.
Oct 31, 2008, 8:47 pm
#6
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I was on a DCA-ORD flight on Tuesday when a female passenger asked one of the FAs if he could lift her heavy bag into the overhead compartment. He shook his head and said, "No. My insurance doesn't cover that." I assumed he was kidding, but he was not smiling and made no effort to help. As a couple of passengers got up to help, another FA (a woman) grabbed the bag and lifted it, avoiding a potentially awkward situation.
Anyone heard of this?
Anyone heard of this?
But I am a believer that if you can't lift it yourself..... then it shouldn't be a "carry" on.
Oct 31, 2008, 8:51 pm
#7
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Yes
YES I recently heard an FA say that if you can't lift your carry on into the overhead bin it must be checked. I think their are 2 sides to this, with the free carry on, and the charge for checked baggage I have seen some bags that no way belong being carried on. I think FAs need to handle this situation more delicately. I note on hertz buses in some locations they have signs that say drivers can not assist with any bags weighing over 25 pounds. In my opinion if you are going to charge for checked bags this is another good reason to charge for carry on bags that won't fit under seat for non elite non full fare customers.
Oct 31, 2008, 8:51 pm
#8
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Oct 31, 2008, 8:57 pm
#9
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Oct 31, 2008, 8:59 pm
#10
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I agree. Flight attendants are not baggage handlers. If you cannot manage your own bag, then check it. It is not the responsibility of the flight crew or other passengers to tend to heavyweight carry ons.
Oct 31, 2008, 9:01 pm
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Oct 31, 2008, 9:02 pm
#12
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I disagree. Haven't you ever helped a women lift her bag? Perhaps just to be a gentleman?
Oct 31, 2008, 9:03 pm
#13
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I'm sure if you said nobody in a wheelchair or otherwise physically challenged was allowed to bring a carryon (which you did above), some aspect of it or a related law would apply.
Helping passengers with their bags is (or certainly should be) part of the job description, as long as the bag conforms to the airline's limits.
Helping passengers with their bags is (or certainly should be) part of the job description, as long as the bag conforms to the airline's limits.
Oct 31, 2008, 9:03 pm
#14
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ADA doesn't apply to airlines. A separate federal law covers accessibility issues, the Air Carrier Access Act:
http://www.disabilitytravel.com/airl...arrier_act.htm
I doubt it requires that FAs lift heavy bags belonging to disabled passengers.
FAs have told me that their employer (AA) has told them that they lift passenger bags at their own risk and if injured doing so, they risk a workers' comp denial.
And I agree that if you can't lift your own bag, you need to check it or find another passenger who will help. FAs are not baggage handlers. Those guys work under the wing.
http://www.disabilitytravel.com/airl...arrier_act.htm
I doubt it requires that FAs lift heavy bags belonging to disabled passengers.
FAs have told me that their employer (AA) has told them that they lift passenger bags at their own risk and if injured doing so, they risk a workers' comp denial.
And I agree that if you can't lift your own bag, you need to check it or find another passenger who will help. FAs are not baggage handlers. Those guys work under the wing.
Oct 31, 2008, 9:05 pm
#15
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Actually, this is true. F/As are not covered by United should they get injured lifting passengers bags. But there is a tactful way of saying this, and a not so tactful way. I usually just tell the passengers that I am not allowed to lift bags, that United will not cover it if I get injured...but to ask someone sitting nearby, or walking past if they mind helping. Then I tell them that if they have any issues, to come let me know and we will find someone to help them, or put it in the closet if there is room. I use the "check it to your final destination" as a last resort.