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…
In this post:
Baggage handlers seen tossing golf clubs
East Tennessee State Men’s Golf has posted a video to X/Twitter, showing how Delta baggage handlers unloaded their golf clubs from the aircraft, as they were traveling for the NCAA Championships. The 24-second clip has been viewed millions of times, and shows baggage handlers aggressively tossing the golf bags across the apron, and then onto the cart.
The cart on which the golf clubs need to be loaded is maybe 20 feet from the belt from which the clubs are unloaded. So rather than the baggage handlers carrying the bags over or gently placing them on the apron, they toss them with quite a bit of force, both onto the apron, and onto the cart.
Let me of course acknowledge that baggage handlers are largely not working directly for the airline, but rather sometimes work for ground handling companies. Still, passengers choose to fly specific airlines, and airlines should be setting the standard for the services provided (just like Delta has a 20-minute baggage guarantee, regardless of whether Delta or contract employees are responsible).
Do baggage handlers not realize they’re being watched?
Let me start by acknowledging that baggage handlers have tough jobs — they’re under time pressure, their jobs are physically demanding, they work in some extreme weather conditions, and they’re certainly not the best paid people in the airline industry. Furthermore, they don’t get much recognition, since they’re not customer facing.
That being said, I can’t help but be both disappointed and confused by how often we see these kinds of incidents:
- Do some baggage handlers not realize that they’re being watched from both the terminal and from the aircraft? They act as if they’re working in complete privacy
- Do some baggage handlers not have a basic desire to follow the golden rule, and treat other peoples’ bags the way they would want their own bags to be treated?
While it’s common for baggage handlers to maybe not handle bags delicately, only a small minority of baggage handlers are this careless. But still, when you’re working in public and as part of a team, I don’t understand how this is allowed to happen.
Several weeks ago, a baggage handling video went viral for a completely different reason. One baggage handler is seen handling bags rather recklessly, and then a supervisor approaches and “coaches” her. That’s the baggage handling hero we need.
Bottom line
Video footage is going viral of Delta baggage handlers throwing golf clubs. It’s bad enough to handle regular bags without care, but it’s even worse when we’re talking about golf clubs, which are fragile, and which can easily be identified as such. Never mind that this team was traveling to the NCAA Championships, making broken clubs even worse.
Something needs to be done to create more accountability among baggage handlers, as some of them seem to think that they’re working in private, and aren’t being watched.
What do you make of this golf club baggage handling situation?
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.
Guess moving that cart up next to the offloading belt is harder than tossing them back.
United only breaks guitars.
Plot twist: the baggage handlers only did that because they saw 'Mr T. Dunn' printed on the tags..
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!
Big deal. Buy Kirkland clubs and just return them.
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.
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.
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!
@Antwerp
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.
@David
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.
@Mason
That information is very easy to find. Spoiler: They're paid even less.
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.
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.
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...
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.
Handlers in Europe and Asia tosses bags too.
Don't bring politics into this. Next BS you're going to say is DEI.
Somebody forgot to tip the check in clerk, the gate agent and finally the baggage guy, what do you expect.
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...
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.
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...
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
No, theyre just assholes.
@Marc
"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?
Checked bags are a scam. You literally pay airlines to damage or lose your property.
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? :)
Yes you can ask for a refund. Ill make sure you get one.
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.
@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.
“ 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.
Fake news. Nothing bad EVER happens at the Universe's #1 PREMIUM airline!
These are Unifi employees that are used by most major carriers are smaller airports.
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
Yawn. Bag thrown less than 1 metre
the fish rots from the head.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
I agree. There was probably high turnover rate too.
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 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.
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...
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.