Cabin crew baggage

[SeatBackForward]

Ok so lets see what heated discussion this starts...

Whenever I'm staying at a hotel that is also used by flight crew, I'm constantly amazed at both the quantity and size of the luggage that the flight crews (in particular cabin crew) seem to lug about with them. My last experience in KL was with Ethiad crew, each of whom was carrying a full sized suitcase, an additional case on the on the handle, and what I assume was a large make-up case then hanging off the suitcase (three pieces altogether!)

Considering that they generally travel point to point, will have one or two days before returning AND that they must do it on a regular basis, I'm at a loss as to why they take so much! As a customer, my goal is to minimise my baggage - more so if I'm doing it regularly in a routine. Anyone have any suggestions that may help me solve this riddle?

 

[williamsf1]

Ok so lets see what heated discussion this starts...

Whenever I'm staying at a hotel that is also used by flight crew, I'm constantly amazed at both the quantity and size of the luggage that the flight crews (in particular cabin crew) seem to lug about with them. My last experience in KL was with Ethiad crew, each of whom was carrying a full sized suitcase, an additional case on the on the handle, and what I assume was a large make-up case then hanging off the suitcase (three pieces altogether!)

Considering that they generally travel point to point, will have one or two days before returning AND that they must do it on a regular basis, I'm at a loss as to why they take so much! As a customer, my goal is to minimise my baggage - more so if I'm doing it regularly in a routine. Anyone have any suggestions that may help me solve this riddle?

I think You will find that Crew may be doing longer trips than you think. For example EK crew will do a DXB SYD // SYD AKL// AKL SYD// SYD DXB with 1-2 nights in each port . They need to carry multiple uniforms along with casual clothing, a large selection of toiletries and other personal items. The other bags would contain paperwork/ manuals they need for inflight along with "personal items". On top of that, depending on destination / roster they could be going anywhere in the world ( ie on stand by) where the weather is not known ( ie could end up in Sydney in summer or NYC in winter)

 

[Daver6]

Crew can easily be away from home for 10 to 14 day stints in differing climates.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Crew can easily be away from home for 10 to 14 day stints in differing climates.

thats true... but my cabin crew friends travel with a huge amount of luggage as described by seatbackforward even on a short 2-3 day hop. many of them use the spare capacity to stock up on food in Europe and clothes in the states.

for them it's all pretty easy too... they get picked up while overseas, delivered to the airport door by their checkin, never have to queue, bags are off first, and when arriving overseas they have only a few metres to walk to their crew shuttle. none of this lugging luggage around like the rest of us

 

[markis10]

Why not travel with a large bag as crew, your not exactly rushing to be first off the aircraft on arrival, and you know the transportation will handle it.

 

[Danger]

I have no issue with the amount of luggage a crew member carries - provided it's not jammed in the coat locker preventing coats from being hung.

 

[Ewing]

I have no issue with the amount of luggage a crew member carries - provided it's not jammed in the coat locker preventing coats from being hung.

Don't be silly. It's much better taking up half the business class overhead space.

 

[JohnK]

for them it's all pretty easy too... they get picked up while overseas, delivered to the airport door by their checkin, never have to queue, bags are off first, and when arriving overseas they have only a few metres to walk to their crew shuttle. none of this lugging luggage around like the rest of us

Are bags always off first? I have noted on more than a few occassions some of the crew hanging around as their luggage is not one of the first out.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Again crew bags were the first off. Not a good look for customers if you ask me.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Again crew bags were the first off. Not a good look for customers if you ask me.

How do you know what their plans are next? Maybe they are on min crew rest, and timely departure will allow them to make a scheduled departure the next morning. There may be more considerations to it than you are allowing for...

 

[Denali]

Again crew bags were the first off. Not a good look for customers if you ask me.

Im find it difficult to care if their luggage comes out first. I mean they have just worked a [insert number of hours] shift so if their bags come out first then good luck to them.

 

[dajop]

Im find it difficult to care if their luggage comes out first. I mean they have just worked a [insert number of hours] shift so if their bags come out first then good luck to them.

Usually though cabin crew are last to arrive at carousel, so often when I've seen cabin bags out first there's not a crew member in sight. It doesn't bother me, but there are certain airlines who have thought this through and you never (or extremely rarely) see crew bags arriving before priority luggage.

On the volume/quantity of bags, crew are just ordinary people. Often on SIN/MEL routes (SQ) will see them with what seems a big amount of luggage for what is probably just an overnight or two away, but is am sure, like me when back in Australia, they stock up on certain things (eg meat and cheese, I've seen a few crew with cooler bags). So some of what you see may be clothing and effects for the trip, but some of it is probably shopping (or room for shopping), with the nature of the shopping depending on the destination. After all why not take advantage of the opportunity!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Im find it difficult to care if their luggage comes out first. I mean they have just worked a [insert number of hours] shift so if their bags come out first then good luck to them.

I agree. But what would be nice would be the automatic inclusion of say First class baggage into the crew container, or at least a container near the crew bags to ensure it is ready for collection as soon as possible.

If ramp staff can be successfully instructed to load crew bags, why not other priority bags? Some airlines get it right, some don't.

 

[ftm]

EK certainly send crew bags off first from my experience. And they are all the same Samsonite, which just happens to be the same as my bag so I constantly thought mine was coming!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Kind of a related issue... what I don't like is crew pushing their way forward on security lines without any acknowledgement or thanks. Sure they may have no idea if you are a premium passenger, or whether or not you are even flying their airline... but there is a possibility you could be! (one of their First class passengers for example).

Singapore Airlines handles it correctly... the flight deck crew arrived at the x-ray and even though I was second in line waiting (and was prepared to let them through), the captain smiled and motioned me to go forward with a polite 'after you'.

 

[under the radar]

Kind of a related issue... what I don't like is crew pushing their way forward on security lines without any acknowledgement or thanks. Sure they may have no idea if you are a premium passenger, or whether or not you are even flying their airline... but there is a possibility you could be! (one of their First class passengers for example).

Singapore Airlines handles it correctly... the flight deck crew arrived at the x-ray and even though I was second in line waiting (and was prepared to let them through), the captain smiled and motioned me to go forward with a polite 'after you'.

That relates more to the type of person they are in general... Personally speaking, during my F/A years, I always thanked/apologized to pax at security lines because I was 'allowed' to go first (many airports have signs at security points related to this)...and I often waited 'to be called' by security officers to proceed before pax.. followed by my 'thank you'/ 'apology' for doing so

 

[Archphoto]

At several airports in Asia, there is a security line specifically for AirCrew, or a sign indicating that AirCrew take priority. I don't really care if they step ahead - usually if I've been asked to wait back for them, they have always given me a smile, nod and a "thank you" for allowing them to go first.

I'm more annoyed by those people who stand in line for ages and then decide to empty their pockets, remove their laptops (or need to be asked to do so!!!) as soon as the get to the conveyor. Uh last time I checked, those enormous signs that show you that this needs to be done to clear security are there for a reason; alas many people live in their own bubble oblivious to the world around them and don't give a toss about anyone else.