Here's why your pristine Samsonite bag arrived at the baggage claim a little banged up the last time you passed through Vancouver -- this handler was either having a bad day, or he really dislikes his job. Regardless, he's taking it out on the bags, tossing them around carelessly. Hope you didn't pack anything fragile!
Reader Comments (Page 14 of 28)
196. The people at the Philadelphia International Airport throw the bags that you check right in front of you where you check them. They don't even attempt to hide that they have no qualms damaging your stuff. I have to get a new suitcase everytime I fly out of there. It's disgusting that these people have such animosity to the customers that make it possible for them to be employeed to begin with. It isn't like anyone aspires to become baggage handlers, but it's not the fault of every flyer that it's the job they have.
Posted at 3:44PM on Feb 9th 2008 by Chris
197. "airport baggage handler in Fairfax, VA $65,000" http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=airport+baggage+handler&l1=Fairfax%2C+VA
Guess it wasn't his pay that ticked him off... LoL
now I don't wonder why it costs so much to fly~
Posted at 4:40PM on Feb 9th 2008 by Allie
198. >>I hope they take baggage handlers all over the country and fire any who are doing this.
Well, here's news for you: they aren't going to do a thing about this - because the airline employees are unionized, and protected from any action. Be sure and vote Democratic the next time, so that their unions will continue to be protected! Sheesh - as bad as this film is, I have watched this kind of behavior go on, for years, from my airline window. The airlines can't do anything about it, which is why they don't reimburse you for damages!
Posted at 5:20PM on Feb 9th 2008 by Cindy
199. My tip as a baggage handler to all of you. Throwing is less stressful to your back than actually placing the bag on the conveyor belt. I touch hundreds of bags a day and there's no way I would be placing each bag on the belt gently. Another tip, pack your stuff wisely.
Posted at 6:24PM on Feb 9th 2008 by JDR
200. Remember the old Tourister luggage commercial? The one with the big gorilla throwing the suitcase around? Yeah, a little more realist then we thought...maybe worse!!
Posted at 8:12PM on Feb 9th 2008 by Tammy
201. Maybe it was Samsonite...never the less, point made!
Posted at 8:14PM on Feb 9th 2008 by Tammy
202. I had new luggage get ruined too....hey aohell way to go not posting angthing about the guy,does he still have a job?has he been interveiwed? there are so many things unanswered....How do you become and aol reporter anyway?are you guys all related and work out of a basement?
Posted at 8:46PM on Feb 9th 2008 by dawn
203. You believe this is bad then maybe you need to check out UPS or the Postal Service. If he was taking his time putting the baggage on the conveyer belt management would be busting his ass. I'm not taking up for the guy but just give this some thought. And remember that he is only as good and the people who hired him.
Posted at 8:50PM on Feb 9th 2008 by Gee
204. Not a big deal. Those of us with valuables, pack and send them in other venues. Duh.
These people do not get paid enough to care about what might or might not be in a suitcase.
Posted at 9:10PM on Feb 9th 2008 by Julia
205. I don't know what all the fuss is about. I don't see anything incorrect. He's not supposed to bend over and place every bag daintily on the belt. He would throw his back out after 5 minutes. Bags are supposed to be able to stand up for this kind of handling.
Posted at 10:41PM on Feb 9th 2008 by alain
206. I'm aghast. I have a cousin that works in the airline industry. He told me that this guy would be fired on the spot if he wasn't in the union.
Unfortunately, when this was video taped, someone tipped off the guy and he got a hold of his union bosses before the airline could fire him.
As a result, the guy got moved to another area as per union direction.
The airline is making an appeal to make every effort to have this employee dismissed. Since this will take some time, the airline has stationed a supervisor at the luggage loading ramps to insure nothing else happens next.
Posted at 11:20PM on Feb 9th 2008 by Sherlock Steve
207. this man handles thousands of bags a day...do you expect him to carefully place each one on the conveyor belt gently???? thats ridiculous. i was once in newark airport awaiting my luggage and a baggage handler got on the belt where the bags come out and started kicking my bag because it turned sideways and was blocking the belt. he had the crowd cheering and as a wheel broke off he said "i wont tell if you dont". he caused major damage to my bag..he almost fainted when i said it was my bag..but the airline paid for a new bag and more than mine was worth anyway...i wouldnt want their job
Posted at 5:44AM on Feb 10th 2008 by mary
208. of course he can't be fired. He is in a union. which protects him even if he does a crappy job. You pro union Dem's out there should know that! Wake up. That's why the U.S. loses so many jobs overseas. Over paid, underproducing slugs
Posted at 8:50AM on Feb 10th 2008 by marty
209. He's not exactly gentle with the luggage, but imagine doing this for living day after day after day. Wow!!
Airlines need to make a self loading and unloading system and get rid of the baggage handlers. But, passengers also have to be consider it also. Really now, if you load valuables and or breakables in your suitcase....come on your not that dumb your just looking for an excuse to have it replaced.
Smart thing to do would be to have it returned by express. Less hassle. I'm surprised the airlines haven't really limited passengers to less than 25# and luggage size limits to a small suitcase. Some passengers are so inconsiderate with their on board carry on luggage.
Posted at 10:07AM on Feb 10th 2008 by Marianne
210. With 35 years in the airline business, and having workied ot over 50 domestic airport - this is just a normal, everyday, way of handling baggage. Never pack valuables or fragile items in your checked bags.
Posted at 11:44AM on Feb 10th 2008 by R. Yuskiewicz