A video that originally appeared on Twitter in 2018, was re-posted on Instagram by Lunionsuite. It shows a baggage handler carelessly throwing suitcases down a chute.
Four years later, it continues to spark a fresh round of criticism and jokes online. It also makes some wonder whether they should think twice about checking their precious valuables.
According to The Courier Mail, “fears of losing luggage on a lengthy plane trip is now not the only concern, as footage has emerged of an airport crew member tossing bags off a plane.”
Lunionsuite prompted followers unfamiliar with the story, “what airline do you think this is? “
Who Captured The Footage?
Vanessa Marsh, a reporter for Courier Mail, “captured a ground crewmember throwing luggage carelessly at Honolulu while loading up a flight to Phoenix and posted the video on Twitter.”
Marsh wrote in part, “the mystery of all my broken suitcases is solved!”
How Many Times Has The Video Been Viewed?
At the time the video made the news, it “had been viewed nearly 2,000 times.”
This prompted a response from the airline carrier, which condemned the employee’s actions.
They wrote to Marsh directly on Twitter.
“Aloha Vanessa, we’re very sorry to see this and appreciate you bringing it to our attention. The way these bags were handled is not acceptable and our Airport Operations Management team is addressing this situation. Thank you.”
What Was The Instagram Response?
People seemed to be cracking jokes more than anything.
“She’s a hater,” one person wrote. “She don’t like her job, lmaoooo!”
“I don’t get paid enough for this sh*t,” said a second.
In answer to Lunionsuite’s question, one person wrote: “Family Dollar Airlines!”
A few guessed it was Spirit, while others said all carriers handled luggage this way.
Some of the serious responses included:
“Not shocked at all. This is why I don’t like checking bags.. these ppl don’t care.”
“That’s why I do hard shell suitcases only! And most breakable items go on my carry on. I don’t play that!”
How Did The Twitterverse Respond?
Twitter users said that no excuse could be made for the handler.
“Oh god, this is painful,” tweeted Domanii Cameron.
Rosalie Anne wrote, “how many times do we complain to the airlines about damaged or broken luggage only to be told that under no circumstances would any airline be responsible?”
Vince responded to that tweet by saying, a “lawsuit is the answer for these clowns to stop the damage of consumers belongings.”
This Is Not The Only Instance Of Poor Bag Handling
A woman named Melissa Chung struggled to get a response from Qantas, after she found her laptop and cosmetics damaged and destroyed.
In that case, “the bag had been run over by a tug.”
In 2017, a handler at Ibiza Aiport was caught on video kicking and throwing bags around.
And those are just two of many examples.
How Is Luggage Supposed To Be Handled?
Even if the outside of the suitcase reads “fragile,” there are no guarantees.
Handlers know people don’t want to wait ages for their luggage.
Emirates 24/7 reported, “a baggage handler (who spoke to us anonymously), said labeling your luggage as fragile may not be very helpful.”
“Those fragile stickers don’t get noticed very often in the rush of loading bags unless it is an obvious shape, such as a musical instrument or a camera tripod.”
“In most circumstances, truthfully, stickers don’t work. Baggage handlers throw passenger luggage into plane cargo holds quickly and haphazardly.”