On social media, many viewers were stunned after a viral video showed baggage handlers having to throw luggage at airports.
When traveling by air, passengers often wonder about the process of baggage handling. A baggage handler has revealed why they sometimes have to throw luggage while loading and unloading bags at airports.
The importance of choosing the right luggage for air travel
One baggage handler shared insights on Reddit about the type of luggage passengers should carry. In the ‘Ask Me Anything’ thread, a user asked, “What’s the best/worst luggage to buy?”
According to the baggage handler, the best luggage option is a suitcase with at least two wheels. He explained that in his airline, luggage is manually loaded into the holds, which are not bin-loaded.
This means handlers need to stack the bags inside each hold, and the bags need to be easily maneuverable.
Why bags with no wheels cause issues for baggage handlers
Bags without wheels are the worst, according to the handler. Without wheels, handlers often have to ‘throw’ the luggage.
This method is used to ensure bags are loaded quickly and efficiently, as there is limited time to keep up with the scheduled flights.
“If your bag has at least two high-quality wheels, it makes it easier for us to roll them down the hold,” he said. “Otherwise, we have to throw the bags.”
The struggles with four-wheeled luggage
While four-wheeled luggage is generally preferred, one issue can make them difficult to manage.
The handler mentioned that sometimes a four-wheel suitcase may have one wheel that is seized up, causing the bag to fall over after being moved a few inches. This makes the luggage harder to handle efficiently.
Other luggage tips for travelers
Additionally, Adam noted that while four-wheeled bags are generally fine, two-wheeled bags are acceptable if you can find one with high-quality wheels.
Many people were surprised to learn how important the quality of the wheels can be for smooth handling.
Another baggage handler pointed out the dangers of ribbons and stickers on luggage. John from Dublin Airport, warned against tying ribbons on luggage.
While ribbons help travelers identify their bags, they can cause problems with bag scans at the baggage hall.
John explained, “If the bag can’t be scanned automatically, it ends up in manual processing, which could mean your bag doesn’t make it to the flight.”
Old stickers from previous trips can also cause similar issues, delaying the scanning process and potentially causing your bag to miss its flight.
Inshort, two-wheeled suitcases are preferred, while ribbons and old stickers should be avoided to prevent scanning issues. Keep these tips in mind to ensure smooth baggage handling during your next flight.