Why do baggage handlers throw baggage?

[infrequent_jim]

Not that I fly often, but occassionally while waiting for a domestic flight (maybe once a year) I get to watch luggage being loaded or unloaded. The baggage handlers seem to put extra effort into throwing the bags onto the trolley or onto the conveyor. Wouldn't take less effort to just place the bags gently?

 

[33kft]

I suspect it has a lot to do with selection criteria for these roles and the management who oversee them. It is sad to say that having a bit of respect for passenger's luggage does not appear to be a KPI, and great customer service or empathy skills do not seem to be a hiring consideration either.

 

[mannej]

I'd suggest a throw would take less time then to gently place such bag.

 

[33kft]

I'd suggest a throw would take less time then to gently place such bag.

You're hired!

I'd say the difference would make bugger all difference to flights leaving on time, reduce the instances of customer belongings being smashed and compensation being offered, and generally improve the public's perception of their value to airlines - but that's just me

 

[Matt_01]

Not that I fly often, but occassionally while waiting for a domestic flight (maybe once a year) I get to watch luggage being loaded or unloaded. The baggage handlers seem to put extra effort into throwing the bags onto the trolley or onto the conveyor. Wouldn't take less effort to just place the bags gently?

I wonder the same thing and it is why I travel with HLO. I travel domestic 2-5 times per week and international many times in any given year. I see luggage being tossed onto the ramps and it is one of the reasons I have not skimped on paying for good quality bags. I admit I am hard on travel bags i.e. I bust them quite regularly and will purchase off ebay bag protectors being those clear type things things. If I get a 1-2 years out of HL bags or 3-5 years out of luggage I think I am doing well.

 

[Denali]

If I was hauling hundreds of 20+kgs bags every day, I would be setting fire to them

But, yeah. They can be a little bit more gentle but thats why I do my best to pack for breakages. Biggest concern is when hubby is travelling with guitars but so far we've been lucky

 

[DC3]

.......

I hope that this wasn’t the Pommery big order at Qantas Wine. Looks like the right number of cartons to a certain AFF member.

 

[33kft]

I hope that this wasn’t the Pommery big order at Qantas Wine. Looks like the right number of cartons to a certain AFF member.

It's okay, they were robust reds

 

[Hvr]

Apparently these guys wanted to be baggage handlers.



They were too gentle with the bags at the interview.

 

[The man with no name]

Not that I fly often, but occassionally while waiting for a domestic flight (maybe once a year) I get to watch luggage being loaded or unloaded. The baggage handlers seem to put extra effort into throwing the bags onto the trolley or onto the conveyor. Wouldn't take less effort to just place the bags gently?

Presumably you're a white collar worker that does not have to lift hundreds of bags that weigh 20 - 32Kg all day. I'm quite sure the baggage handlers are doing whatever is best for the protection of their back. If that involves dropping or throwing your luggage so be it.

 

[Franky]

If I was hauling hundreds of 20+kgs bags every day, I would be setting fire to them

But, yeah. They can be a little bit more gentle but thats why I do my best to pack for breakages. Biggest concern is when hubby is travelling with guitars but so far we've been lucky

Looks like what I once saw in BKK when waiting for a flight and was looking out over the aircraft below me anssaw a supervisor doing the same, though not with the same viguor

If I was hauling hundreds of 20+kgs bags every day, I would be setting fire to them

But, yeah. They can be a little bit more gentle but thats why I do my best to pack for breakages. Biggest concern is when hubby is travelling with guitars but so far we've been lucky

Saw this happening at BKK many years ago, with a supervisor doing the chucking, though not with the same viguor as shown in the clip, but just as far. Apart from the suitcases, there was also a bag of golf clubs, and a box with TV branding on it though I don't know if that is what it contained.There happened to be a TG flight crew passing by me as I was watching with 2 four ring captains amongst them, and I asked them over to witness what was going on. They looked a tad disappointed, but I don't know what they did to follow up. When I arrived back home I wrote a letter to TG and received a deadpan letter saying they wouldn't allow such a thing to happen.

 

[tdimdad]

Presumably you're a white collar worker that does not have to lift hundreds of bags that weigh 20 - 32Kg all day. I'm quite sure the baggage handlers are doing whatever is best for the protection of their back. If that involves dropping or throwing your luggage so be it.

That's how I've thought of it, too. The less rotation your body does when lifting heavy object, the more years it will still have ahead. The luggage handler's job happens to be one of the less ergonomic ones and it would put a lot of strain to the body if they extended their arms far from the centre point to gingerly put down our bags in the trolley or the belt.

Perhaps an alternate question is why on earth is this still done using manual labour???

 

[juddles]

Two comments for this thread:

(1) Despite all the viral videos of miscreants hurling bags, I suspect the highest threat to your bag is actually the automated systems - where bags are "diverted" from one conveyor belt to another using hydraulic pistons after the tag is scanned and the destination discerned - your bag is literally slammed off the conveyor onto another in a hundredth of a second - so g-forces are far more severe than those inflicted when a mere human throws your bag. Look this up to see the reality...

(2) having flown quite a bit, I have witnessed from my window seat very frequently the shenanigans of baggage handlers. The best was in Bogota, Colombia. My whole family deboarded from the plane and went and sat in the transfer bus that was to take us from the "remote terminal" position to the main airport. As we waited for the bus to fill we were watching the baggage handlers next to the bus unload all the suitcases. They were having a great time - the jovial faces showing this. But next thing they were having the equivalent of a pillow-fight with bags - OUR BAGS!! Right next to our bus. Our bags are unique and very clearly ours - and these were the ones they were swinging and hitting each other with as they laughed. Nothing found broken, as we pack carefully.

 

[trooper]

Why do they throw them? They have many bags to move and limited time to do it. Throwing each bag a few metres saves a few steps there, and a few steps back EVERY time. I bet that adds up rapidly! We all want to be able to check in right up to the cutoff at times ..and I suspect most would NOT want that cutoff increased...Yet we ALSO want our bags to make it on the flight ...and to appear on the Carousel afterwards ASAP! Strict enforcement of "lift - carry - deposit" by handlers would I think clearly increase the time needed..at both ends. JMO

Why is it still done manually? I suspect until everyone is required to have some "Standard suitcase" the flexibility of human response will remain more efficient and effective than some machine. And to add to what juddles said... If you think bags are dealt with harshly now, just wait until ALL handling is done by machines!

 

[jb747]

Worst I’ve ever seen is a pair of morons in Darwin playing football with a bag. The airport manager enjoyed it too, when I called him to the coughpit.

Why is it still done manually? I suspect until everyone is required to have some "Standard suitcase" the flexibility of human response will remain more efficient and effective than some machine.

I suspect that most of these videos relate to 737s. It can’t use standard luggage containers.

 

[Justinf]

I just came back from japan and every single bag was placed on the carousel with the handle/s facing towards the passengers. EVERY single one of them.
Was a refreshing change.

 

[NoGodsOneQueen]

I just came back from japan and every single bag was placed on the carousel with the handle/s facing towards the passengers. EVERY single one of them.
Was a refreshing change.

Yes! I've seen this at Japanese airports. Every bag handled with respect.

 

[infrequent_jim]

Yes! I've seen this at Japanese airports. Every bag handled with respect.

Ah - respect is what is lacking here.

 

[33kft]

respect is what is lacking here.

When you make it a non-negotiable part of the culture, excuses about time and cost don't fly

 

[Oakdene]

Flying into Wellington once one of our bags had been opened and one item had a definite kerosene smell. Odd it was just one item, and we had to throw it away because it was so strong.

Another time flying into Christchurch the padlock had been smashed off and the bag opened, the zipper busted and we found the padlock inside.