For incoming and outgoing aircraft, a baggage handler sorts, loads, and unloads luggage, packages, and freight. She’s also in charge of directing planes into the proper gates and making sure the ramp is secure and safe for passengers to enter and exit the plane. She could work at a small community or local airport serving small planes and private clients, or she could be part of a team at an international airport serving thousands of commercial airline passengers every day.
A baggage handler may be required to assist the ground crew with aircraft maintenance in some cases. This usually entails cleaning the plane’s lavatories and replenishing the water supply. She may be required to assist in the deicing of certain exterior areas of the aircraft in the event of inclement, subzero weather to reduce safety hazards.
Her responsibilities could also include assisting with the organization and positioning of planes on airport ramps. Normally, she is responsible for assisting in the pushing of planes away from the gate. She could also assist in the parking of arriving planes. If a plane needs to be towed, a baggage handler is usually needed to direct it to the appropriate storage area.
A baggage handler is typically the person who ensures that the items passengers are carrying are safe to take onto the plane as they board and deplane. Strollers, oddly shaped packages, and health aids such as crutches or walkers are all examples of questionable items. A baggage handler is expected to assist a passenger in carrying these items onto or off the plane with courtesy and warmth.
If a piece of luggage needs to be inspected or X-rayed, a baggage handler is usually the one to do it. She may be required to inquire about the contents of passengers’ luggage. If she discovers substances that are unfit for transport, she is usually required to remove them and notify her superiors. Normally, the inspection equipment she uses requires maintenance, and she is expected to arrange for its inspection and repair.
A baggage handler is frequently required to initiate a trace or assess the damage if luggage, packages, or freight is lost, damaged, or misplaced, as per airport and airline guidelines. She is usually expected to arrange for the luggage’s delivery to the customer’s home if it is found. She may be required to seek assistance from a customer service associate or manager if problems with lost or damaged luggage arise.
For this position, a high school diploma or equivalent is usually required. In most cases, no formal education is expected. To meet the demands of the job, most baggage handlers receive on-the-job training and must be in good physical condition. A background in customer service or the transportation industry could help you land a job.