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.

Wonder if he's been fired yet? Kinda looks like it was filmed on company property, and calling the customers a-holes is probably not going to be looked at real well.

While I agree that he has some valid points, he's also pretty far off base on others. As for the weight of the bag, quite frankly that's more a problem with his employer than the customer. With the way luggage fees have taken off, people aren't going to check more than one bag unless they have to, which means that one bag will be stuffed to the limit of their weight. (Although he claims most bags are 60-80 pounds, he's obviously just exaggerating there, since unless you're in first or an elite, you're limit is probably 50 pounds, and most people I know aren't willing to pay the heavy bag surcharge.)

I have checked a couple of bags in the last couple years that were in the 50-75 pound range. It was when it was allowed because of the class of travel I was travelling, and so quite frankly, what the baggage carriers think of that isn't my problem. That's a problem they need to deal with their employer about. When I've done it, it's been because of the travel I was doing, especially on routes that could end up in a number of different climates (like, say a cruise that starts in Rio and rounds Cape Horn, not exactly the same clothing requirements). Generally I travel on vacation, and I'm not interested in constantly cleaning clothes, so I'd rather travel with a few more sets that some of those people that find they can live out of their carryon (quite frankly, my carryon is typically filled with camera and other electronics, so there's no room for clothes there anyways).

My opinion is that those needing more luggage allowance because they're going on cruises, is that the airline needs to compromise a bit and passengers should pack sensibly.

A single bag that weights 60kg+ is no easier on the cruise emplyee than it is on a airline handler, but they often/usually have trolleys to get the luggage to the cabins. Not so with the handlers at the airport. If they have to lift those boulders, they can count on having injureds backs within a few years of employment, which can cause life-time misery for many.

Minimum wage cannot never make up for that. Until airlines can provide a solution, for example invest specail barrows for the heavy bagg (using the surplus cost) there will be disgruntled handlers. I don't blame them at all!

And though one would like to think that people would have the good sense of putting important/essential medications in their carry on's, we mustn't forget that a lot of them are first time travelers. Along with other important information the travel agents, or the cruise lines should make it policy to include this essential information.

I'm with this guy all the way ~ the onus is on the airlines. For passengers who feel put out by his crititisism, I personally feel it's veyr misplaced.

I don't necessarily agree that its grounds for termination - as long as he stays anonymous (which he has). He did have some valid points IMHO.

As someone who lifts things of a similar weight at work (though thankfully, nowhere near as often as baggage handlers do) I can sympathise with getting bad backs etc.

What I cannot sympathise with however, is someone taking a job where your sole responsibility is moving heavy bags moaning about how customers are idiots etc. for taking too much on holiday with them because they don't like lifting those bags. If it's that big a deal to you then you shouldn't be in that line of work.

One word retired:D

+1

Not unlike the guys at FedEX handling big stuff. It's a known part of the job. Lucky if you get a shift unloading boxes full of pillows destined for 'Bed n' Bath'. Not so much fun when it's monster big screen TVs, but it's part of the job. If it's more than you bargained for and you feel your health is in jeopardy but no workplace rules are being violated, then it's time to find another job.

I know age (and prior injury) can be a factor, but if you can't carry your load (no pun intended), then it's time to move on, not expect your co-workers to pick up the slack.

This guy wants pax to understand his situation and accommodate him. Perhaps he could also try to understand exactly why pax carry heavy bags sometimes - and what his own employer could do about it (starting with imposing a free weight limit across multiple bags, instead of a max weight limit per bag).

I didn't mean you specifically!

A while back I had to teach safe handling in the workplace - correct lifting techniques, two-man lifts, etc. It wasn't the airline industry, but it was somewhere where lifting was a regular part of the job.

If employees are not adhering to what they are taught (of which many of the guys I taught were guilty, and were written up accordingly!) then it isn't the customer's fault. If someone cannot handle 30-40lb (half of the 60-80lb load claimed) then I don't think it is the right job for them.

If the union / employer are not enforcing the correct lifting techniques, they are also to blame.

According to the comments below the video, he has since graduated from school and gotten a job as a "Federally licensed Airframe and Powerplant technician working for the third largest defense contractor in the world." :rolleyes:

-S

Actually, I liked the video and think he's 100%. I would even chip in for his bonus. It is a great non-official way to get people off their baggage helter-skelter.

I see people getting their LV (esp. checked luggage) and think ... man, if you can splurge on that, why are you flying commercial?

Yeah, I'm thinking on getting this carry-on and this laptop bag, but those are carry-on and will no way get to high weight. Even when bringing wardrobes between countries (depending on my segway between seasons in southern/northern hemispheres) my check-in (yes, singular) never exceed 20kg.

One of the best points was about shipping. It will make your life going through customs much easier!! Whether domestic or intl, taking 5 minutes out to find a good package shop outside the hotel makes the trip home much more enjoyable.

Why rolling eyes? I am happy when people work hard and study to get ahead. Good for him!

IBTL.

Before some of you get all bent out of shape about this video, you need to realize and accept the fact that:

1) Bags are stacked in bins with the largest & heaviest bags going on the bottom. It doesn't matter if you put the world's largest fragile sticker on it. No one is going to stack your oversized, 80 pound bag on top of a bunch of little bags. It doesn't stack properly that way. If you have something fragile then take it with you.

2) These guys, for the most part, are paid between minimum wage and $11. You get what you pay for.

Having worked as a baggage handler before, I have a few thoughts on this. To an extent I agree with most of what he said in the general sense that passengers need to have more common sense when packing their bags, if they're at all concerned about what happens to it. If you don't want to run the risk of something being lost or broken, keep those things that are expensive and/or can be broken with you in your carry on luggage. When I travel, all I really have in my checked bag is clothes, shoes, toiletries, etc...things that wont break. And in theory, that's the bulk of what you should be traveling with anyway.

As far as the heaviness of the bags go, I never personally cared much about that. If lifting 75-100 lb objects was too hard for me, I never would have done the job. But at the same time, obviously the heavier the bag the more difficult it becomes to move and stack. Which wouldn't be a big deal if departure times were based on how many bags there are or how "difficult" it is to unload and load. But unfortunately, that's not the way it works.

And I guess that's what bugs me when I see people complaining about the way baggage handlers "throw" their luggage around. It's understandable if you want your bag treated like it's a newborn baby and handled with white gloves, but then you'd have to be more understanding if it takes the rampers an extra half hour to load the plane and get you on your way. Loading and unloading the several thousand pounds of baggage, freight, mail, etc from the tiny pits of an airplane is A LOT of work. And to do it all within the 40-50 min turn time most planes have on the ground requires rampers to work incredibly fast and efficient. Not to mention having to keep in mind weight and balance issues that affect the safety and performance of the plane itself.

As with most professions, I suppose you'd have to actually spend some time doing it to truly gain an appreciation for how tough, physical, and incredibly dangerous of a job it is. I can assure you one thing, 99% of baggage handlers do what they can, within reason, to assure luggage isn't damaged. But at the end of the day, there is just no realistic way to give each of the tens of thousands of bags that pass through each airport white glove treatment and also expect such a complex operation to run with any kind of efficiency. Just my two cents.

I was surprised that my bags turned up in YVR after I had a rant about luggage at LAX and how it was just wheeled through the airport on a trolley for anybody to touch, steal or worse, put something in.

That's possibly why I ended up being singled out for a body search! I was advised to wait whilst they got a female agent who arrived and said..."now.. I'm going to touch you and when I say I am going to touch you, I mean I am going to touch you ALL over"! Now that was quite fun! Some folks would pay money to see that! lol

Like him I will never understand why people pack important medication in their luggage. A few years ago I was standing next to a couple in line waiting at the lost luggage desk and they were very angry\worried about missing the medication that was in their checked bags. Seems to me that if I needed to take several pills a day to stay alive and healthy I would not put those in a situation where its well known they could go missing or be seriously delayed.

Well, I don't know about you but I don't usually don't handle hundreds of other bags before mine, heft it onto a conveyor belts or stack a lot of other heavy bags on top of it. Not saying right or wrong but I think it would be pretty easy to agree that what the airlines have to do with them is quite often different and likely more arduous then what we do with them

I don't know this for a fact but I would also imagine that was more directed at people who buy the cheapest luggage, over stuff it and then complain to the airlines about it not holding up well.