by paul p. paul

Created on: February 10, 2008

IM a Baggage Handler! I'may need a cyber-security escort to get
out of this blog safely, but heres my two-cents worth.

As a bag loader, I also work the bagroom ( a processing area)
I handle 400 -700 pieces of luggage daily.
most of what you read on this issue from frequent fliers,
pilots and flight attendents is cool info and much of it is
somewhat correct.
but heres some facts you've never been told:

Fact # 1. Airlines have no control of your checked luggage until TSA release
it back to us. when you check-in your bags go to a TSA resolution room
where federal law requires it to be screened.

Fact # 2. Missing luggage-lost damaged luggage totals have TRIPLED
since TSA started mandatory screenings

I work in our Airline baggage-room and I swear to you
( on my life) If you check-in at 9 am for an 11 am departure...
TSA habitually sends us some of the luggage for that flight
-sometimes literally "a few seconds"
before departure. reading the tag time stamp..i see bags checked in about 1 hour before flight time, yet TSA sends it to us 2-3 minutes after my co-workers push the plane off the gate.

Fact # 3 Your packing style can jar curiosity'or cause bag to be ignored

Anything you pack that peaks curiosity' is cause for TSA to
open a suitcase. ie putting a cell or Ipod in your shoe ,
under xray looks almost like "a shoe-bomb" TSA opens your bag.
If you packed tightly they can not duplicate yuour effort.
- airlines hire us if we demonstrate an ability to lift 45 lbs

so if your bag is 46 lbs + we ( with union approval) are not required to lift it..
and YES many employees will drop it and walk off.

until a second worker is located to assist- and with lay-off its rare to find a secondary worker unoccupied.

Fact # 4
Baggage loaders are NOT required nor trained to read your
handwritten messages on shipments... NONE OF THEM!

We are - damn near browbeaten- with the slogan " if you touch the bag - read tag "
TAG only! so when you ( passengers) write things like " fragile ", " this side up "
or " Do not stack anything on top of this" etc..
We NEVER SEE IT!

I could share over 115 seperate items with you regarding all the mis-information airlines spout
and dozens of false reports circulating about air travel , what pist-me-off was when i see " travel experts" on TV offering suggestions and tips' that are so so damn out of line and wrong!
I work there everyday, Ive handled customer complaints
( when i worked as CSR) and Ive issued free meal vouchers,
hotel vouchers et
and now as a baggage handler... I now stuff that I can never tell ( federal security reason) and I know a couple hundred things passengers are never made aware of but should be.

best advice in one sentence: Dont take bags with you, if you must-pack as light as possible
and IF we lose your stuff theres a websiyte called worldtracer that can trace the last known whereabouts of you things based on scan

Learn more about this author, paul p. paul.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.