In a scenario that’s all too familiar, a video is going viral of Delta baggage handlers being rough with checked bags. In this case it’s not just any old bags, though, but rather golf clubs…
Continue reading: Caught On Camera: Delta Baggage Handlers Throw Golf Clubs
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Sad to say, it’s difficult to get the best and brightest to work below-the-wing jobs at airports. Low wages, inclement weather, transportation expenses, etc. make it very difficult to recruit quality applicants. I was an airport ops manager for many years. It was a constant struggle.
You show me a golfer who's never thrown his clubs, and I'll show you a golfer who doesn't take his game seriously.
After watching the video, I don't see the problem? Is there anyone who flies with any frequency who doesn't expect their bag to be treated pretty much just like this? It isn't like they're launching the bags out of a trebuchet, they're tossing like two yards. Anyone who doesn't pack their bag for resiliency is kind of asking for items to be broken.
Hello, Butker here, I think you'll find that it's ok to beat your wife and belongings, but most will have something to say if someone else beats your wife or your belongings.
Recent trip on Delta with recently purchased delsey luggage- go to baggage claim and one wheel was completely ripped off. They did replace it with another brand but still beyond infuriating
The baggage handlers need to be paid mor, no question, but no one is forcing them to do this job. So, I don’t get paid enough to do my job the way it is supposed to be is not an acceptable excuse. No one forced them to be a baggage handler. They choose to be one, so can’t use that as an excuse to do a shitty job.
The most interesting to me about the ground handling, is perhaps that the working conditions aren't (or weren't) great even in Japan. I heard that ANA ground handling division is quite a sweatshop (or black company as how it's called in Japan), but it's pretty rare to see the ground handlers working poorly or your luggage lost or not loaded in Japan. Even as a person who dislikes the internet worshiping Japan as if it's the land of the gods, I've gotta say that the cultural difference is playing a huge role in those differences.
But do I blame the US ground handlers? Not sure, given that their working condition is likely worse than that of Japan's, even if they say it's poor. This is the part where union should really work on, instead of just focusing on finding the way which they could be irresponsible and lazy but still earn money.
I've played thousands of rounds, sometimes with decent cash on the line. Since I don't have anger issues like you apparently do, I've never thrown a club once.
Checked bags are a scam. You literally pay airlines to damage or lose your property.
This is what your luggage is for-to protect the contents. The baggage handlers are doing exactly what they are supposed to do. They are taking the bulky and probably heavy bags and tossing them to the cart available to transport them.
Anyone getting into a hissy fit over this should wake up realize that this is how bags are handled. Perhaps its because of the size or weight of the bags, but you can't expect luggage to be handled with white glove service.
People need to be more realistic and manage their expectations.
If I was the manager of these guys, I wouldn't reprimand them nor would I even make an issue out of this
Japan I think is a slightly unique situation where the work ethic and "doing a job well is an honor" type mentality is drilled into people from a very young age. The pressure does crack a lot of people though (as we've seen with some changes in Japan).
The wage growth in Japan has been non-existent until the last couple of years...so black companies abuse people.
I think the US is often the other end of the spectrum where people are constantly told that they "just need to work hard" when the same people saying those things don't know the priviledge they have, and when you do naturally give a sht about your job, a lot of things are still stacked against you.
First, United breaks guitars - and now Delta throws around golf clubs. What will American break?
Maybe a solution could be to 1.) allow people to book a second seat for their fragile baggage (such as a guitar or violin - which already happens). OR ... 2.) charge an added fee to carry specialized items such as golf clubs and put them in a special section of the cargo hold, or package them in a manner that avoids damage. I'm not a baggage expert, so my thoughts on this might be completely impractical.
Somebody forgot to tip the check in clerk, the gate agent and finally the baggage guy, what do you expect.
It's really pathetic to see the comments on this post. This is exactly what is wrong with the service industry in this country. So, let's vote Republican and exploit more of these type of workers.
But, why don't we talk about the sorry state of service in this country, the complete loss of work ethic, we the public who accept this kind of poor service and behavior (poor customer service at fast food, airlines on the ground and in the air, hotel agents.....).
Bags don't have to be flung around. I am still at a loss that narrow body planes are not containerized for cargo/baggage handling. People with bad attitude and want entitlements will never advance themselves in their earning potential if they don't take pride in their work.
These are Unifi employees that are used by most major carriers are smaller airports.
And now we know why U.S. airlines like to keep the window shades down while on the ground. And it has nothing to do with keeping the cabin cool (or warm). They don’t want you to see what’s going on outside.
I would suggest golfers invest in a solid golf bag.
Over the hundreds of flight I took, I've paid quite a lot of money in checked baggage fees and no airline ever damaged or lost my property. So I guess my question is, can I ask for a refund? 🙂
@ole - I completely disagree. Why do they need to be paid more, without question. They are paid fairly and do the job voluntarily. If they had skills worth more, they'd likely be doing something else. Looks like we agree on the latter point.
Over the last few years employees have gotten away with too much. They get paid more and work less. And then they complain.
Unfortunately, for the union jobs in the US, the worker with the biggest “don,t give a sht” attitude sets the standard for their entire crew and shift. If you try and do a better job, that person will be all over you to follow their crappy example.
Embarrassing for someone to claim this is how bags "should be handled" in the comments. No, bags are not meant to be roughly handled which causes claims the airline needs to pay out, time wasted for the customer, and more garbage headed for the landfill.
If relatively thin and small Japanese baggage handlers can do it properly, then there's really no excuse.
Big deal. Many golfers throw their clubs. I have thrown my clubs many a time when missing a putt or landing in water! It would be an honor to see my clubs being thrown by baggage handlers in a video being seen by millions. Those clubs do not bend or break easy!
Exactly @305. Serious golfers don't throw their clubs. Foul tempered hackers throw clubs. In fact, @Mildmidwesterner, you'll find that serious golfers have the best manners on the course. No club throwing, no cursing. I played serious golf in my youth and a thrown club would get you thrown out of a tournament or off your team. And now that I don't play much and basically stink, the worst you'll see me do is look annoyed and possibly put my club in my bag a bit aggressively.
That said - baggage handlers shouldn't throw bags AND I'd bet money that every one of those golfers packed their bag so no damage would be done -- covers on the woods and towels wrapped between the irons.
This is how bags have been handled for years and will be handled further, all over the world. Get over it. What do you expect? Fine art transit logistics? It's airplane luggage, not a transport of Tiffany lamps.
Plot twist: the baggage handlers only did that because they saw 'Mr T. Dunn' printed on the tags..
No. Bags are definitely not handled like this all over the world! In many parts of the world baggage handlers are responsible workers. What a silly statement!
“ Over the last few years employees have gotten away with too much. They get paid more and work less. And then they complain.”
Maybe you get away with too much. And maybe you complain. I know I don’t.
Guess moving that cart up next to the offloading belt is harder than tossing them back.
They throw around luggage all of the time. Sure, they should have been more careful and it looked like they were having fun by throwing around these golf clubs and sure they should have known by the size and shape of the bag that it was golf clubs, but passengers should expect that the suitcase will be thrown around or not treated well.
"This is what your luggage is for-to protect the contents."
Stupid, You don't go crashing your car around because they have airbags do you?
Handlers in Europe and Asia tosses bags too.
Don't bring politics into this. Next BS you're going to say is DEI.
So we have been treating women and minorities differently for years, even millenias.
Your response is
Get over it. What do you expect?
You wouldn't last a day as a slave. Get over it.
If relatively thin and small Japanese baggage handlers can do it properly, then there's really no excuse.
Talk about how much would Japanese ground handling contractors pay their workers and how does that to the that of America. Even as a person who opposes the Democrats I've gotta say that ground handlers should be paid more.