Baggage handlers

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JohnK

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Don't mean to generalise and I hope there are few decent ones out there but the majority of them seem to be lazy bludgers who do not care about other people's property.

Last month on returning ADL-MEL-SYD I was sitting in the bar in MEL airport near gate 2 having a drink when I see the trolley on the tarmac with the transferred bags from ADL-SYD. I knew this because my black Brosnan golf travel bag was on top of the pile. There were 3 baggage handlers talking to each other while loading the bags onto the conveyor. Loading. Poor word. One would grab a bag from the trolley, pass it to the handler nearest the conveyor who from 1 metre or so away would throw it on to the conveyor belt not even looking at the conveyor while continuing on with the conversation, then the other one would grab a bag from the trolley and pass it on to him and again it was thrown on to the conveyor. This process continued. Throwing. Please. Have some common sense. Place it on the conveyor. When they got around to the pile with my golf bag he just grabbed my golf bag from the top and dropped it to the bottom of the trolley, out of the way, and then continued to grab bags from this pile to load on to the conveyor. This bag has golf clubs in it. Fragile. Anyway I couldn't bear to watch anymore. There was no damage so I said nothing.

After my latest trip to Perth during the week, returned yesterday PER-ADL-SYD, I have noticed damage to both luggage and golf travel bag. The luggage has 2 legs parralel to the 2 wheels, to support the luggage standing when stationary, and these have now almost come apart from the bag itself. The bag does not stand anymore. This is not wear and tear. This bag has been dropped, thrown, onto the legs for this damage to happen. My golf travel bag has 3 holes and scrapes on the bottom where it seems like it has been dragged for great distances. This is supposed to be a fragile item. While all care is taken we accept no responsibility. I don't call this care. This is gross negligence.

I now need a new bag, around $60-$100, and the golf travel bag is only 1 month old and it cost $60. Surely we should expect baggage handlers to use a little more care with our possessions. Surely QF can train and monitor their staff better.

<I better not say too much more or the black vans may start to appear again>
 
Had a very similar experience with the same type of lightweight standing golf bag from MEL-SYD-CNS(INT); however I was able to fix it with bits of shoelace and packing tape. Managed to lug it around Mossan GC and a few others. Of course, no compensation as a fragile item.

When I arrived home I went over it, noting where/how it was broken and the weaker parts. It seems that these bags are often simply placed on conveyer belts where they can flop and twist around, damaging appendages like the stands and the flap on the bottom that pushes the stands out.

Now, when take this bag on my travels, I screw the flap to the base so it can't move, unbolt the stand rods and place them in the bag. I use wing nuts and keep a screwdriver in the bag. It's easy to put back together once you arrive. This sorted those problems out; admittedly after the initial damage was done and it's still quite a PITA.

'Twas a hard lesson, easily learned. :roll:
 
JohnK said:
This bag has golf clubs in it. Fragile.
Hmm, now lets see. A long shaft with a weighted base used to smash a solid object as far you can. Isn't the main aim of using a golf club to cause a significant impact with a stationary object (well, the ball start off stationary, but does not remain that way for long) - that's not my definition of fragile :shock: .
JohnK said:
Surely we should expect baggage handlers to use a little more care with our possessions. Surely QF can train and monitor their staff better.
But when they particular care of passenger's checked luggage, there a outcries and media coverage indicating they are doing bad things? Just look at what happened to the baggage handlers that decided they should take extra care in the delivery of the camel suite to the aircraft 8) .

But on a serious note, the airline's disclaimer about fragile items may apply to the good inside the case, but when there is obvious damage a case that is specifically designed to carry these goods, then I think there is grounds for complaint - even if the fragile goods inside were not damaged.

AA managed to smash the corner of a fibreglass brief case between LAS and DFW. On arrival I showed the damage to the baggage AAgent and was given a damaged luggage claim form. Next day when departing from DFW on the next flight, having repacked the contents into another bag, I was offered either for AA to repair the damaged case or a replacement. As I was on a ATW ticket and really needed a replacement for this case, I took that option. I was shown to a cupboard and asked to select which replacement bag I would like, signed the paperwork and walked away with a brand new replacement roll-aboard case. I was impressed by the way they handled the issue.
 
NM said:
JohnK said:
This bag has golf clubs in it. Fragile.
Hmm, now lets see. A long shaft with a weighted base used to smash a solid object as far you can. Isn't the main aim of using a golf club to cause a significant impact with a stationary object (well, the ball start off stationary, but does not remain that way for long) - that's not my definition of fragile :shock: .
Funny way of describing it. They are used to propel a ball a long way but they themselves cannot sustain any impact in a certain way. You would be surprised at the way graphite/titanium shafts/heads on a driver have snapped. Like putting a putter back in the bag and the putter head comes into contact with said club and said club snaps. I laughed but the person it happened to didn't.

NM said:
But on a serious note, the airline's disclaimer about fragile items may apply to the good inside the case, but when there is obvious damage a case that is specifically designed to carry these goods, then I think there is grounds for complaint - even if the fragile goods inside were not damaged.
There is obvious damage to both suitcase and golf travel bag. I didn't notice it until I got home yesterday. I have sent feedback to QF and I am waiting to see what they have to say.
 
JohnK said:
Funny way of describing it. They are used to propel a ball a long way but they themselves cannot sustain any impact in a certain way. You would be surprised at the way graphite/titanium shafts/heads on a driver have snapped. Like putting a putter back in the bag and the putter head comes into contact with said club and said club snaps. I laughed but the person it happened to didn't.
Didn't notice any graphite and titanium in my clubs. Just cane shafts with lumps of wood or cast iron on the ends.
 
JohnK
There were 3 baggage handlers talking to each other while loading the bags onto the conveyor.

NEVER EVER NEVER watch luggage being loaded onto an aircraft, even with an amusing, cheeky Chardonnay in your hand, as IT MAY BE YOURS

I have watched this entertainment from 737-800 3F and realised mine was lying winded on the conveyor waiting for "placement" in the hold. I could hear it land in the hold and wondered about the future sanctity of all the electronics I had stowed in there.

Avert your eyes and concentrate on the sumptuous menu ahead of you!!
 
Several years ago whilst waiting for a (dare I say it) DJ flight to arrive I watched several baggage handlers trashing some baggage onto an a/c. I can't remember all of the details however they were in the rain, working without gloves and paying no real attention to what they were doing. I sent an email to DJ quoting the time and place etc and mentioning several obvious OH&S issues. A few days late I received and detailed response for DJ with a thankyou for bringing the issues to their attention and stating that the baggage handlers in question had been spoken to. Needless to say I was noy only amazes but also very impressed. :D :D :D :D
 
I received a reply from Qantas Customer Care in less than 2 hours! That is what I call customer service, regardless of the outcome.

Thank you QF.

Qantas Customer Care said:
Dear Mr K

Thank you for taking the time to email us regarding the baggage handling situation. I have tried calling on your mobile but there is no answer, the phone just rings out.

I am sorry your golf bag has been damage. You will need to take the bag to the Domestic Baggage Services at Terminal 3 at Sydney Airport to be sighted within 7 days of travel to make a report, this is if you have not already reported it.

The Baggage Master will assess the situation and advise you of any compensation.

I have forward your feedback regarding the handling of the bags to our Airport Manager for his action.

Thank you again for taking the time to bring the situation to our attention.

Yours sincerely


Name Withheld by me
Customer Care Executive
Qantas Airways Limited
QCA5, 203 Coward Street
Mascot NSW 2020
 
I suppose it's the kind of job one can only do for a few users, until you receive some kind of back injury :roll:

Was at Perth recently with me ol' mum and you know how normally the baggage puller takes two trailers, well this one decided to take three! :shock: Anyway he turned a sharp corner and the luggage trolleys turnover and luggage is scattered across the apron..

Yes I don't like to enforce stereotypes but sheesh! They are bad, camel suit or not. (Just don't get me started on Australia Post!)
 
Forgot to mention that QF sent the luggage to be repaired and it is now very sturdy with hopefully a few more years of life in it. It had a good workout last week SYD-BNE-DRW-ADL-SYD and came through with flying colours.

I was expecting the golf travel bag to be repaired but to my surprise I received a brand new one, unopened and still in the box, from QF. :shock:

That is what I call good old fashioned customer service. Thank you QF.
 
Airlines frequently complain that passengers try to carry too much on board "because they want to do a fast getaway". That's not the reason for me, and I suspect not the reason for a number of other people. The reason is the damage they do to my belongings when I check them in. I have had a number of items that are quite sturdy damaged - including an electric toothbrush in a case (had hell of a wack), shampoo bottle (which withstand being dropped 2 m onto tiles) smashed, etc etc. So, I admit to taking up to the limit in carry on bags.

There is no need to 'drop them' like some of them were doing the other day. I estimate the drop height to have been about 2 feet, in some cases even more. It's not safe for them and it's not safe for passengers' bags. I think it's about time they stopped treating other people's belongings with disrespect.
 
I was expecting the golf travel bag to be repaired but to my surprise I received a brand new one, unopened and still in the box, from QF. :shock:
JohnK, did they reimburse/replace all your bent sticks as well, or was this just course rage??
 
Groundfeeder said:
JohnK, did they reimburse/replace all your bent sticks as well, or was this just course rage??
No need as there was no damage to the golf clubs.
 
Commuter said:
Airlines frequently complain that passengers try to carry too much on board "because they want to do a fast getaway".
I'd like to see them complain next time I wear my camel suit onboard. I'm not trusting them with that any more! :eek: :mrgreen:
 
Yada Yada said:
I'd like to see them complain next time I wear my camel suit onboard. I'm not trusting them with that any more! :eek: :mrgreen:
Have you washed it yet? The inside was a bit smelly last time I wore it around the tarmac. :D
 
Damien said:
Have you washed it yet? The inside was a bit smelly last time I wore it around the tarmac. :D
Not yet. It adds an air of authenticity. ;)
 
I saw baggage handler's (not Qantas, not in Australia) do something that would make any golfer cringe.

Luggage was being taken out to plane. Golf bag falls from the top of the bags onto the ground. The luggage trolley then ran over the golf bag!

Baggage handler picks up golf clubs and then just tosses them back on top of the bags.

Oops! I'm not sure how well golf clubs would take that kind of damage. Someone's game of golf may have been a little off from that incident!

Moral of the story - check baggage!
 
Mal said:
Oops! I'm not sure how well golf clubs would take that kind of damage. Someone's game of golf may have been a little off from that incident!

Moral of the story - check baggage!
So that explains why my golf game is worse that it should be :rolleyes: .
 
Mal said:
Oops! I'm not sure how well golf clubs would take that kind of damage. Someone's game of golf may have been a little off from that incident!
Graphite/titanium clubs are fragile. On my home golf course, a few years ago, a golf bag fell off the back of an electric buggy with clubs spraying everywhere and one of the irons came into contact with the head of the driver (golf club, not person) and made a hole the size of 20 cent piece. For those that play golf would understand this type of damage cannot be repaired and the $900 driver was no longer useable.
 
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