Is It True that You Must Use Skycaps at Airports?

When I travel with my husband, he takes charge of the luggage. If it's a short trip and we're traveling relatively light, we carry our own. If we're on a longer trip, he'll engage a bellboy. When I travel by myself, I almost always have someone handle my luggage. But last week flying home from LaGuardia, a curbside skycap was so aggressive, he scared me. I practically had to fight him off. If the cab driver hadn't come to my assistance, I don't know what would have happened. The skycap kept insisting that I HAD to use his services, it was the airport policy. Is this true? I saw other people walk into the terminal with their suitcases. Were they just overlooked?

To get to a safari in Ngorongoro National Park, Tanzania, the friend of an LVA staffer flew into Dar Es Salaam. She related that after clearing customs, she and the other arriving international passengers were besieged by taxi drivers who latched onto their luggage and didn't let go, triggering a sudden desperate tug of war over suitcases, carry-ons, purses, and the like. An unfortunate few lost the struggle with the cabbies; with control of the luggage, the drivers essentially held it hostage and the passengers were at their mercy.

That was, admittedly, an extreme example, but this writer has witnessed and experienced similar tactics, to a lesser degree, in various places: Guayaquil (Ecuador), Tortola (British Virgin Islands), even Paris.

The answer, however, is this: No one -- other than agents at airport security checks, customs officials, and other government authorities -- can or should handle your luggage without your express consent. It's not only not inappropriate to refuse luggage service from bellmen, it's perfectly acceptable and legal and happens all the time.

Something else to remember at airports is that curbside skycaps are independent contractors and not airline employees. That's why they can accept and expect tips, while agents at the check-in counter inside the terminal are actual airline employees and can't. Some flyers don't realize that and stiff skycaps, which is why they can get aggressive about it. But if you don't want to tip to have your bags handled at the airport curb, all you have to do is walk inside and hand them off to the counter agents. It's that simple.

If you're planning on handling your own luggage, when disembarking from a taxi, limo, airport shuttle, or bus in front of a hotel or airport, keep your luggage close and dismiss the luggage handler(s) with a simple, "Thanks anyway; I'm good," or "I always handle the luggage myself." Baggage personnel differ in terms of aggressiveness, but a firm "No thank you" or just "No!" will discourage all but the most Tanzanian-like hustlers.

Keep in mind that baggage handling, along with valet parking, housekeeping, and table waiting, is a service provided by hospitality establishments and airports for the comfort and convenience of guests. Tipping is customary (in the U.S.) and cash gratuities are expected for good service, but they're not mandatory. Don't tip and you'll be considered a stiff, but there are -- or at least should be -- no other consequences.

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Have a question that hasn't been answered? Email us with your suggestion.

Missed a Question of the Day?

Have a Question?

Tomorrow's Question

Has Clark County ever considered legalizing prostitution?

Comments

Kevin Lewis Aug-03-2023

My bags are MINE

If someone--ANYONE--grabs my bags or any other property without my consent, I am legally entitled to use force to recover it. So I recommend leaping on the bagjacker and beating him senseless, then tossing his limp body in front of a shuttle bus. If you lack the strength to do this yourself, make it a group effort.
Of course, thinking in the long term, you might seriously reconsider visiting any country/location where this sort of shit is tolerated. Unfortunately, there are a lot of places where people offering services are allowed to physically attack you. I would be inclined to take my bags and go back inside the terminal and book the next flight for home.
And re Paris in particular: being attacked by a bagjacker is only the appetizer for the banquet of abuse you will suffer as a tourist in Paris. It's still the only place in the world where when crossing the street, I've had drivers speed up and aim for me.

Bob Nelson Aug-03-2023

Um,

Shouldn’t ”inappropriate” actually be “appropriate”?

higesq Aug-03-2023

LGA well known for that

Flew back with friends into LGA and one of them needed wheelchair service.  When we handed the guy $20 tip, he said that wasn’t enough and he get $40 for that trip

[email protected] Aug-03-2023

LAS

A high level Federal Government Nuclear Energy Official was arrested for stealing luggage from a baggage claim. Not sure if it was a man or woman,first name was Sam I believe.

O2bnVegas Aug-03-2023

Bob Nelson

I also had to stop and re-read that sentence.  As written, "It's not only not inappropriate to refuse luggage service..." (I would italicise the second "not" here if that were possible), it is correctly stated.  The problem...too many 'nots'.

Candy

Kevin Lewis Aug-03-2023

Good wording clap clap

Candy, "not inappropriate" isn't the same thing as "appropriate," just as "not impolite" isn't the same thing as "polite" and "not unattractive" isn't the same thing as "attractive" (think of how your last blind date was described to you beforehand). So, not too many "nots." I like the rather precise meaning conveyed.

CLIFFORD Aug-03-2023

Don't stiff a Skycap

Friends were excited about their trip and not inappropriate not to forget to tip a skycap...They never saw their luggage again.  airline gave them $50 a bag with a "take it 'cause that's it."

Doc H Aug-03-2023

violence?

'If someone--ANYONE--grabs my bags or any other property without my consent, I am legally entitled to use force to recover it.'


ha, sure you are entitled one - NOT! You'll get yourself arrested for assault in this day in age in many locales. Plus where is your social awareness these days oh self appointed social justice one? Don't you realize this person might need your things more than you? You got money to throw away gambling, some don't have money to eat after all. And you think I'm joking here, I'm not. You need to read up on the woke NWO on who's the 'victim' these days. Many states, even if someone comes into your home and robs you, if you do violence against someone, even push them, you can get charged. Many states you have the 'duty to retreat'. This is reality.

So stop telling people to do silly violent things or you'll get your fellow LVA folks arrested! 

Now get ready for the 'you can't take a joke Doc, take your meds, I was only joking!' defense lie, 3-2-1....

RichM Aug-03-2023

Paris

At Charles de Gaulle, the skycaps are the only employees who actually want to provide services of any type.

CLIFFORD Aug-03-2023

one word

question answer is no...took 35 sentences.  1st post about this was deleted by host...

Ceylon Aug-04-2023

BS -2

Just as there are staunch supporters of political figures like Trump, there will likely be patrons willing to sponsor this new paywall model. Nevertheless, for those who fall outside this category, there are alternative sources readily available. In fact, this change might motivate us to explore those alternatives, given that this platform has ceased to hold relevance since well before the onset of the pandemic. Furthermore, the appeal of Las Vegas seems to be waning for a majority of individuals, as it has become accessible primarily to the privileged and those dealing with gambling addictions.

Ceylon Aug-04-2023

BS

Approximately 99.9% of the rationale provided seems unfounded. It's evident that the primary driver behind this transition is monetization. The vexing advertisements, particularly the intrusive background ads, have undoubtedly been a major source of income for this platform.

As previously noted, the website appears rather outdated, particularly its forums. It's reminiscent of an unrealized childhood fantasy, stagnant and resistant to growth. This stagnation appears to be a result of sheer indifference from the owner(s).

The quality of discourse has also fallen short. Meaningful inquiries often go unnoticed while absurd questions take the spotlight, rendering the "Question of the Day" facet as more of a farce.

Question of the Day - 03 August 2023

Comments