Baggage handlers at airports are one of the people who are responsible for moving your baggage to the right containers and to the right destination. While you probably don’t think about these people every time you fly, for as long as you have done this, there has been an essential position that is even before the airplane takes off. Without airport handlers, these places would be in a world of trouble. But do baggage handlers get paid well?
Baggage handlers at airports are one of the most important people in the entire travel experience. Without them, you couldn’t take your luggage from point A to point B, which is pretty much everything you need to be able to go on vacation.
The salary for baggage handlers depends on where you work and what kind of baggage you’re handling. The average starting salary for a baggage handler is about $20,000 per year, but there are some positions that pay more than that.
For example, if you’re working at an airport with a lot of international traffic (like JFK or LAX), then you might earn more money because of how much more complicated it can be to handle all those bags from different cultures and countries.
If you’re working at an airport that has a lot of private jets coming in and out (like Teterboro Airport), then your job also becomes more important since those flights tend to have fewer passengers than commercial ones do. This means that there is less room for error when it comes time for passengers to pick up their own bags—and if there’s a mistake made by your company’s employees, then they’ll likely be held responsible by their boss rather than having any responsibility placed upon themselves
Salary for baggage handlers at airports
What is a Baggage Handler?
A team of baggage handlers will ensure that passengers’ bags are loaded and unloaded safely, efficiently and in good time from the aircraft. This helps ensure that the passenger turnaround can go as planned and the airport functions on schedule. There are many baggage handler airport jobs in British airports offering regular work.
Responsibilities
As with all airport jobs, it is essential that the baggage handler team can work quickly and effectively to minimise delays, and to ensure that all the passengers get their correct luggage. They will also be tasked with loading and unloading commercial cargo items.
Although the job of a baggage handler may seem simple, it requires much attentiveness and efficiency as even small delays can quickly have an impact on the schedule at an airport. Therefore, you need to be able to work under time pressure and as part of a team.
Working conditions
Most airport jobs, including baggage handler often require shift work because airports are active 24 hours a day. Many also work a ‘condensed week’ which means that the baggage handler may work three shifts of 12 hours rather than 5 shifts of 8 hours and then have three days off.
The job of a baggage handler needs to be done regardless of the weather conditions. You should expect to have to work in the summer heat as well as the winter cold and rain.
Due to the large amount of heavy lifting for long periods of time, a good level of fitness and physical strength is required for this role.
In any aviation role, safety is of paramount importance. Baggage handlers need to observe strict health and safety guidelines and training will be carried out on site once an employee has been recruited.
Salary expectations
The average salary for these airport jobs is £16,512 pa, rising to £20,000 pa with experience. Pay by the hour is between £7 and £9. Often working overtime is an option which increases the earning potential of baggage handlers. Shift work should be expected for most roles.
