PHL: Sir please put your tagged bags on the carousel. ...???
Jan 9, 2016, 7:22 am
#18
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,034
I checked in at the PHL elite counter yesterday with 2 bags to check. I used the 'kiosk in the cluster' to get my BP and moved to the agent near the belt. She applied the baggage stickers to my luggage and asked me to place the larger item on the belt while she put the smaller item on the belt.
Ironically the larger item weighed much less than the smaller one.
Ironically the larger item weighed much less than the smaller one.
Jan 9, 2016, 11:25 am
#19
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: New Orleans, AA EXP, DL PM, SPG PLT, HH Diamond
Posts: 3,750
This has nothing to do with gender. If a perspective employee can't lift a certain amount of weight, then he/she shouldn't be hired. Ability to lift a certain amount should be in the job specifications. I recently saw a female baggage handler that was unable to lift a large piece of luggage. If a baggage handler can't lift up to a certain amount, be it male or female, then they are in the wrong job.
I checked in at the PHL elite counter yesterday with 2 bags to check. I used the 'kiosk in the cluster' to get my BP and moved to the agent near the belt. She applied the baggage stickers to my luggage and asked me to place the larger item on the belt while she put the smaller item on the belt.
Ironically the larger item weighed much less than the smaller one.
Ironically the larger item weighed much less than the smaller one.
Jan 13, 2016, 1:56 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
This has nothing to do with gender. If a perspective employee can't lift a certain amount of weight, then he/she shouldn't be hired. Ability to lift a certain amount should be in the job specifications. I recently saw a female baggage handler that was unable to lift a large piece of luggage. If a baggage handler can't lift up to a certain amount, be it male or female, then they are in the wrong job.
The new self-service desk at MIA (which opened over 2 years ago) is the same way. The other, older desks have these fancy transfer belts that move the bags from the scale to the belt automatically, but it was presumably cheaper to not install them and have the passenger do it. I'd imagine that the company is also saving money by not having to worry about workman's comp claims from agents lifting heavy baggage. I've seen agents assist elderly or disabled passengers with their luggage, though, even though they're technically not supposed to for insurance reasons or something.
I'm still not understanding what the big deal is. My first experience with this was at JFK T5. How is this any different than when we had to take our tagged bags to TSA for inspection?
I'd rather place my own bag on the belt than have a stranger throw it, anyway.
Jan 13, 2016, 2:42 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Milwaukee
Programs: AA Pl, KL Platinum for Life
Posts: 384
This has nothing to do with gender. If a perspective employee can't lift a certain amount of weight, then he/she shouldn't be hired. Ability to lift a certain amount should be in the job specifications. I recently saw a female baggage handler that was unable to lift a large piece of luggage. If a baggage handler can't lift up to a certain amount, be it male or female, then they are in the wrong job.
Jan 13, 2016, 2:54 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,351
Actually, the best thing would be for the scale to be connected to the belt, to avoid anyone having to lift the bag twice. I find the setup at places like JFK T5 to be quite awkward. It's not a big deal, but feels pretty cheap.
Jan 13, 2016, 3:39 pm
#24
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Milwaukee
Programs: AA Pl, KL Platinum for Life
Posts: 384
I totally agree! If there is a way to prevent injury it should be done. KLM in AMS has been using this type of belt for years! The check in agent sits right next to the belt and presses a button instead of doing heavy lifting!
Jan 13, 2016, 4:38 pm
#25
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,790
I don't agree. Are you saying airlines should only hire people that can lift heavy bags for 8 hours a day? That would be terrible for the employee. If the PAX can't lift their own bag they should travel lighter or ship separately. Complaints about the bag not reaching its destination, or terrible food are more worth complaining about than this. So the person that originally wrote the post who said this may break the camels back, just wants the employees back broken instead. That isn't right.
Jan 15, 2016, 8:18 am
#26
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: Chick-Fil-A Red, Wawa, Red Cross blood donor
Posts: 4,824
Originally Posted by Tristian Stone / Customer Relations / American Airlines
We very much appreciate the time you took to send us your suggestion about our service. Your idea certainly has merit and it clearly reflects the thought that went into it.
It is always helpful for us to consider our service from our customers' perspective. We try to be responsive to our customers and carefully analyze trend information based upon their reactions. In this way we can identify those service elements that are most appealing as well as improve those that produce a negative response.
Our aim is to suit the needs and wishes of the majority of our customers. As we determine the appropriate action in this regard, your preferences will be considered. Thank you for giving us the benefit of your observations.
It is always helpful for us to consider our service from our customers' perspective. We try to be responsive to our customers and carefully analyze trend information based upon their reactions. In this way we can identify those service elements that are most appealing as well as improve those that produce a negative response.
Our aim is to suit the needs and wishes of the majority of our customers. As we determine the appropriate action in this regard, your preferences will be considered. Thank you for giving us the benefit of your observations.
Jan 15, 2016, 8:24 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Wait... Aren't they supposed to put something specific about your request between paragraph one and two? AA does have boiler plate text to use in responding to messages, but all too often respond with something totally out of context. Seems this one is choosing to not even do that (maybe a former LAA FA?).
Jan 16, 2016, 1:22 am
#28
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
These systems are wonderful but expensive and AA has apparently found it more cost-effective to outsource the labor to its customers.
Feb 22, 2016, 11:03 am
#29
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: Chick-Fil-A Red, Wawa, Red Cross blood donor
Posts: 4,824
Outsourcing labor to the customers, indeed.
Feb 22, 2016, 11:08 am
#30
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,664
T1 at JFK has this system or at the RAM does so I amuse everyone does as well.
