If these agents are employees of the airline performing an expected included service of the airline, I think the airlines should completely quash the notion that they should receive any tip -- with clearly posted signage, or prohibit them from soliciting tips. If they are not employees, I think the airline should work with the airport to stop allowing them to accept bags if they require tipping, or they should have a clearly posted service charge fee $. This is nonsense that you need to tip someone for doing the airline's job -- and more so based on the minimal effort that accepting a bag involves.
A plan echoing your view was implemented by AA in Boston and went through the courts ending in 2011, actually.
Remember when American Airlines began charging a $2 fee for curbside check-in in 2005?
Skycaps at Boston’s Logan International Airport sued the airline, saying that it deprived them of tips because a lot of passengers thought the fee substituted for the tips they had been receiving.
A federal district court jury agreed with them in 2008, saying the new fee violated a Massachusetts state law that is supposed to keep employers from pocketing tips or service fees that were intended for the employees. The jury awarded the nine skycaps $333,464, plus prejudgment interest and attorney’s fees.
However, a federal appeals court ruled Friday that federal law preempts state law, and American doesn’t owe the skycaps the money they lost after the fee was instituted.
http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2...wins-app.html/
The use of contractors puts the Skycaps in a tough spot. Unionize, and the airline(s) will just pick other contractors.