Airline baggage handler rant
 

Most points will not apply to all frequent travellers, but he addresses some of the myths that baggage-handlers try to purposely break our luggage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G51qhRXytY

Well, I agree - 60lb for one bag is excessive. I already thought that without giving a thought to baggage handlers.

Anyway, I prefer to imagine it's all done by conveyor belts and robots and stuff. That's why I never get a window seat, in case I see something I don't want to see. :-/
I mean it goes away on a conveyor belt, and next time you see it, it's coming toward you on a belt. Out of sight, out of mind the rest of the time.

Why then does an airline accept bags up to 32 kilos?

My bags usually double in weight on the way home and I often have to buy a 3rd case for hubby and myself!

Does this idiot know he is talking about HIS job? Heck most airports would do away with his job altogether if it wasn't for the unions. And if bags were containerized in the US like in most parts of the world(which by the way would also be safer....)there would be no need for this guy, his poor back and at least 2/3 of his buddies.

Well, a rant is always that: a rant. Still, he does describe Kettles' luggage/packing habits as I would imagine them to be. :p

Because the airlines don't give a .... about their employees.
As a now happily retired 35 year airline employee who did this amongst other exciting stuff. I want all of you TO WATCH that video before you check the next bag. It's not a professional video but the guy is right on.

Hmmm, so serving the needs/desires of the employees should be a higher priority than that of the customers.... that definitely explains a lot!
Actually, I didn't think the "guy" is right on at all - as long as the bag meets the requirements as set by the airlines I see no reason for his "rant". His utter contempt for customers is a an excellent example of why the public has a rather low opinion of airlines.

Please tell me how many years you've done this job ? So many of my former co workers are out on oji & will never work again all because of heavy luggage. Now there are other reasons also & one can get hurt also on bags that aren't "heavy" but again most oji's do come from the heavy bags.

Yup. I thought they used two-man handling on the >50# bags, they should be easier to lift.

Also, broken handles are our fault? Strange how they are much more likely to break in their system than we when have them despite the fact that we do more with them than they do.

Airlines have been price gouging passengers on so many fees lately, that I will take any opportunity I can to save money. If I'm traveling between Europe and the US, I get 1 free bag. If all my stuff fits in it and it's under the weight limit, I'm only taking 1 suitcase. Given the choices of 1 free heavy bag, or paying $100 for a 2nd bag to make both bags light, I will take the free option. The same applies for domestic travel when I would have to pay a considerable amount to add another bag just to make my bags lighter. If baggage handlers don't like it, they should ask airlines to reduce baggage limits, not ask passengers to change what they're transporting. Or they could pay me to use a 2nd bag and make their jobs easier.

There are at least a few airlines (non-US) that set baggage allowances based on weight or a combination of weight/pieces, ie, (IIRC), each pax is allowed 50 pounds total checked or 50 pounds total across 2 (or 3) bags. Gives some pax incentive to carry 2 (or 3) smaller bags instead of one large one, as long as total weight is kept low. Also gives savvy pax incentive to go with lighter weight luggage if using multiple pieces, because bag weight can eat up part of that luggage allowance.

I feel for the baggage handlers, but I think their issue has to be with the airlines (or their unions), not with the pax, many of whom either never give the handlers a thought, assume they are strong from handling so many bags every day, or haven't got a clue what their bag weighs.

Totally agree, I'll only check a bag if I have to. The heaviest bag I've ever had was about 14kg. I just don't get people who consistently need over 30kg of luggage (ok sometimes if work requires it).

This limit certainly applies in Europe for health and safety of baggage workers. One man lift below 23kg and 23kg-32kg bags should get a heavy label and only should be lifted by 2 handlers. Over 32kg things that can;t be broken down smaller need special handling. The airlines are charged more for a heavy bag - so usually limit to FF or premium classes or charge for overweight. But despite being paid more per bag, I reckon the ground services don't enforce the 2 man lift and put the pressure on the individual handlers to get the job done. I guess if a handler hurts themselves on a 23kg+ lift the employer has no liability although morally responsible.

I just don't see how this is the passenger's fault. Right in the job description of baggage handler for DL, it says you must have the ability to lift 70lbs, coincidentally the same maximum weight for checked luggage. The beef is with the employer, not the customers who are playing within the rules of the airline.

Long ago, as a young man, I traveled extensively in the lands of steep hills, long staircases and not a few cobblestones, Europe. Then I spent a couple of decades traveling often by air in the US.

Two lessons learned:

1. Extensive "lugging" of big bags will soon convert one to packing lightly.

2. If it can be ripped, torn, bent or otherwise damaged, airlines and airports will do so.

20 years ago, as my wife and i began annual vacation trips abroad, I found a "real deal", a dozen modest (MSRP $49.00) rollaboards, assorted black, red, blue and yellow, 3 of each color, sized for overhead bins, but checkable, in a "closeout", $100 + $25 shipping, one of the best bargains in my life (since I had a place to store them).

Well, we're down to 3, and still traveling. My wife refuses to use the yellows, but I'm neither proud of fashion conscious. We both have learned to "pack lightly" and carry along an extra bag for inevitable acquisitions along the way. We try to split our belongs between bags, so as to be able to deal with 1 lost/delayed bag. Damaged, but still usable bags, have always found a home, first our daughters, now the lady who comes to clean.

....And my back and the backs of baggage handlers everywhere have benefited. Meanwhile, I've never had to wrestle one of those foot lockers pretending to be suitcases up the hill from the station or parking lot to some Tuscan hill town hotel.

Accept the fact that bags will inevitably suffer damage, no matter their price and presumed durability. Buy accordingly.