Confessions of an airline baggage handler

[Hvr]

We'll have robot handling when we all agree to standard checked luggage size and style. Basically containerisation of the luggage hold.

When every case is the same size and shape then robot handling will be very easy to implement. The problems at the moment are irregular sized items, or those with bits hanging off them etc. A container has the details in a standard place so that readers just have to scan 2 different places to know where the container is going.

The only problem with this, is that not many consumers would accept having a standard case.

 

[Must...Fly!]

We'll have robot handling when we all agree to standard checked luggage size and style. Basically containerisation of the luggage hold.

When every case is the same size and shape then robot handling will be very easy to implement. The problems at the moment are irregular sized items, or those with bits hanging off them etc. A container has the details in a standard place so that readers just have to scan 2 different places to know where the container is going.

The only problem with this, is that not many consumers would accept having a standard case.

How would the machine remove bags and load them on the aircraft properly, adjusting in all the compartments for weight requirements? Obviously this would not work with non-containerised flights.

 

[drron]

Probably points to a lack of appropriate loading at BKK/NRT

I could believe that at BKK but not from NRT.The Japanese are extremely thorough.
Besides have flown BKK-HEL/HKG/NRT and priority tags work most of the time.
As well NRT-BKK/HKG/ORD/DFW and again the priority tags work.
But fly QF domestic and once again priority baggage is anything but.
Only one conclusion I make sorry.

 

[Hvr]

Containerisation of the shipping industry required an international standard size which all participants were required to adhere to. I believe there are only two sizes of containers for the whole shipping industry.

If it was introduced into the airline industry every airline in the world would have to agree to the standard and have common equipment. Once the bag is weighed at the check in then the rest is basically easy. Weight and priority are noted and it is loaded accordingly.

If it needs to be offloaded then it could be found within seconds.

 

[harvyk]

We'll have robot handling when we all agree to standard checked luggage size and style. Basically containerisation of the luggage hold.

When every case is the same size and shape then robot handling will be very easy to implement. The problems at the moment are irregular sized items, or those with bits hanging off them etc. A container has the details in a standard place so that readers just have to scan 2 different places to know where the container is going.

The only problem with this, is that not many consumers would accept having a standard case.

There is a world of difference between a shipping container and a piece of luggage no heavier than 32kg... It wouldn't be too difficult to build a robot to pick up and move bags around an airport even if they are all different sizes and shapes. Where the plan would come unstuck would be the expense. Whilst there is certainly advantages in building mechanical solutions to take the job of manual labour, they would need to get them to a price point which makes it cheaper than simply hiring people off the street. Whilst they wouldn't need breaks like their flesh and blood counterparts, they would still need "days off" for maintenance, and whilst they would be able to lift much heavier bags than their human counterparts, the physical moving from A to B is unlikely to be any faster (since laws of acceleration and force quickly get involved).

 

[JohnK]

The only problem with this, is that not many consumers would accept having a standard case.

That is not going to be easy.

Is it too difficult to have strict security for baggage handlers? i.e. bags searched before entering workplace and when they clock off? It is embarrassing they are able to get away with stealing so many things from luggage.

 

[harvyk]

That is not going to be easy.

Is it too difficult to have strict security for baggage handlers? i.e. bags searched before entering workplace and when they clock off? It is embarrassing they are able to get away with stealing so many things from luggage.

Well the baggage handlers are suppose to have had a pretty decent background check since they have direct access to aircraft. Plus in one of the cases where the baggage handler took money, how do you prove it wasn't theirs in the first place, and to an even more basic question, how would you even find the stolen money? Strip searched before and after each shift?

 

[vetrade]

It's doubtful that robotics could ever replace humans for baggage handling for the reasons already pointed out such as variable baggage sizes. Thieves are opportunists so the only way to eliminate thefts from baggage is to deny them the opportunity or make detection certain. The problem is that doing that is costly which means the airlines & airport authorities won't act while the problem affects a relatively small percentage of the baggage transported. Cities such as JNB, where theft is endemic, pose a further particular problem because it might be virtually impossible to identify any level of oversight which could be guaranteed to be trustworthy i.e. it's not much good having video surveillance if the guy monitoring the video (or even those above him) might be in cahoots with the handlers.

Comprehensive monitoring is "do-able" right now with present technologies but at what cost? It starts with the design of baggage handling areas to ensure that all areas are under extensive tamper-proof video surveillance 24/7. You probably also need some form of electronic tagging system (of bags and staff) that can match each individual item of checked baggage to whoever handled it. To be efficient that would need to be automatic and not require manual scanning, which could be subject to abuse. Or, at its extreme, maybe it would require all handlers to wear head-mounted cameras so that everything they touch leaves a record. With all the other problems airlines face trying to make a profit and the resistance you could expect from the unions I don't think anyone will bother to tackle the baggage tampering problem in the foreseeable future.

 

[Warks]

Isn't it time for a "Ask the baggage handler" thread? :mrgreen:


I have always wondered why baggage handlers seem to lift bags an extra 30cm ("a foot") in order to drop them heavily onto the cart or conveyor. It seems to be so much extra effort considering these guys must lift in the order of 10 tonnes in a day (wild-bottomed guess). I was watching them do this out the window in SYD a week or so back and I felt like I had to video it. Funnily enough the baggage handler dropped a case straight onto the concrete as soon as I started filming. I was thinking of posting the video but don't think I will, in order to protect the innocent/guilty.

 

[TomVexille]

Isn't it time for a "Ask the baggage handler" thread? :mrgreen:


I have always wondered why baggage handlers seem to lift bags an extra 30cm ("a foot") in order to drop them heavily onto the cart or conveyor. It seems to be so much extra effort considering these guys must lift in the order of 10 tonnes in a day (wild-bottomed guess). I was watching them do this out the window in SYD a week or so back and I felt like I had to video it. Funnily enough the baggage handler dropped a case straight onto the concrete as soon as I started filming. I was thinking of posting the video but don't think I will, in order to protect the innocent/guilty.

It could easily be 10+ tonnes in a days work. There's a reason so many of these guys have serious back problems early in life.

 

[prozac]

Isn't it time for a "Ask the baggage handler" thread? :mrgreen:
..........................................

We had one but he went AWOL. Might have been all the questions. http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/introductions/im-a-baggage-handler-24109.html

 

[prozac]

It could easily be 10+ tonnes in a days work. There's a reason so many of these guys have serious back problems early in life.

Often baggage handlers at SYD are recently qualified CPL pilots waiting their first airline gig. Probably same at other major Australian airports.

 

[TomVexille]

Often baggage handlers at SYD are recently qualified CPL pilots waiting their first airline gig. Probably same at other major Australian airports.

That is one way to get your foot in the door at an airline. However there are many "career" baggage handlers in the States.

 

[prozac]

That is one way to get your foot in the door at an airline. However there are many "career" baggage handlers in the States.

I am sure there are. The airlines do not see this as a career path, baggage handler to pilot or air crew. Just mentioning when I was doing my license there were a few pilots doing CPL that worked at SYD to ensure they were handy if called up for interviews and to have their ear close to the ground for upcoming jobs etc. Johnny on the spot and all that. Maybe they also liked the smell of JetA1.

 

[Hvr]

Often baggage handlers at SYD are recently qualified CPL pilots waiting their first airline gig. Probably same at other major Australian airports.

I guess it helps that they have the requisite security clearance and passes.

 

[RooFlyer]

I hope ?everyone here realizes that its the easiest thing in the world to take pictures of your bags while you pack them, especially of valuable or hard-to-replace items (ie on your phone, at least). But even the every-day things.

The first time I suffered theft from checked bags, it took me about 5 days to recall all the various things that had been taken (not just valuables - a certain jumper, a footy sweater, GPS mount etc). This slowed down my claim (I had to lodge a supplementary).

After that, armed with pics, for the second theft, not only did I remember everything that had gone, but it added to the strength of my claim I could show that the goods were of a certain (higher quality) type ...

 

[drron]

Mrsdrron does the same.

 

[Skyring]

Only for things that can be replaced ; some sentimental things cannot be replaced and are too large to carry on...anyway I digress. Beware JNB if on a long transit!

I went through there three times last year, one a ten hour transit. Every time I made sure anything valuable - camera, laptop, ipad - was in my carryon. This rapidly gets to the stage where there is no room or weight to spare for anything but the bare essentials of toilet kit and a change of undies/socks.

I didn't get the feeling that my checked bags had been disturbed. And I NEVER lock my bags. Kind of pointless when a ballpoint pen can penetrate a zipper, allowing it to be opened even if the zipperydoodah is locked.

 

[Skyring]

Is it too difficult to have strict security for baggage handlers? i.e. bags searched before entering workplace and when they clock off? It is embarrassing they are able to get away with stealing so many things from luggage.

The only times things like that happen is when there are large numbers of complaints - such as for JNB a few years back - and the airport/terminal wishes to improve its reputation.

Otherwise, what's the point? Travel insurance pays up, and no one crime is important enough to make a fuss over.

Besides, who searches the searchers? Look at how drugs get into prisons - via the prison officers.

 

[JohnK]

Well the baggage handlers are suppose to have had a pretty decent background check since they have direct access to aircraft. Plus in one of the cases where the baggage handler took money, how do you prove it wasn't theirs in the first place, and to an even more basic question, how would you even find the stolen money? Strip searched before and after each shift?

Supposed to have had a decent background check doesn't mean much. Some of the people hired at work recently can't do the most basic of things they were hired to do.

I agree the money is not easy but surely the perfume and alcohol are dead giveaways especially if they didn't have them when they clocked on for their shift earlier.