Baggage jobs can be quite stressful and it is important that the baggage handler is able to quickly and correctly sort baggage to minimise delays and to ensure that everybody gets their correct luggage. Baggage handler jobs are certainly not suited to everyone but to find out whether these baggage jobs are for you, read on.

Baggage Handler Working Conditions

• A baggage handler needs to be physically strong because they will be expected to lift heavy loads for extended periods of time. Apart from strength, agility is also fairly important because baggage handler jobs involve working in the cramped conditions of an aeroplane cargo hold.

• Baggage handler jobs often require shift work because an airport will be active 24/7. Working nights, holidays, weekends and overtime is commonplace in baggage jobs. Depending on the airport, some baggage handler jobs have working hours of 12 hours at a time in a condensed week.

• To be a baggage handler, the individual needs to be able to cope with working at height because the cargo ramp and the aeroplane itself could be 20+ft off the ground. All baggage handler jobs require a uniform, hi-vis clothing and hard hats.

• Those with baggage handler jobs are expected to work outside in all conditions ranging from the cold and windy weather of January to the heat of July and August and the baggage handler needs to be able to deal with this. During the summer months, an aeroplane’s cargo hold can get very hot.

• The baggage handler needs to be able to work calmly but quickly under pressure as large volumes and baggage and freight can come at once which needs sorting and routing to the correct place (either baggage collection or to an aeroplane). All baggage jobs form part of a team and the ability to work and communicate well with people in the other baggage handler jobs is essential.

• Everybody that applies to baggage handler jobs will be subject to a medical examination as well as stringent background security checks due to the nature of baggage jobs and the proximity of the baggage handler to the aeroplane moments before take off.

If you feel that the work of a baggage handler appeals to you, you can search for baggage handler jobs here on Airport Jobs.

As a general rule, most baggage jobs do not require anything by way of formal qualifications but there are some extra qualities that will be required to be able to perform the role of baggage handler quickly and effectively. To find out the entry requirements for baggage handler jobs, read on.

Baggage Handler Jobs

• The only qualifications that are required for basic baggage handler jobs are GCSEs. However, because of the nature of baggage jobs, an LGV or forklift truck license would be advantageous and set you apart from the crowd when it comes to the interview for a baggage handler. Previous experience of working in a warehouse environment will also be advantageous when it comes to baggage jobs. Further qualifications may be required for more senior baggage jobs.

• Everybody that works in an airport is subject to very stringent background security checks and baggage jobs are no different, especially as the baggage handler will have access to the aeroplane only moments before take off. Therefore a criminal record is undesirable when it comes to applying for baggage handler jobs.

• For baggage handler jobs, a medical will probably be required and you will have to meet some particular physical characteristics. Good levels of physical strength are important for baggage handler jobs because you will be lifting heavy bags and freight for extended periods of time. It is also important for a baggage handler to be able to fit into small and confined spaces.

• A basic command of the English language, both written and oral is essential as you will need to be able to communicate with co workers as well as being able to read the labels on luggage to ensure it gets sorted correctly.

• To work in baggage handler jobs, you need to be able to work quickly and without mistakes as any lost luggage will cause delays and have knock-on effects for the rest of the airport. In baggage jobs, the luggage will be delivered in large loads and needs to be sorted as quickly as possible.

You can search for baggage handler jobs here on Airport Jobs.

The bag room agent has one of the most important baggage handler jobs because they ensure that passenger’s all get their correct bags and that the luggage unloaded by the baggage handler finds its way on to the right carousel. These baggage jobs need to be done quickly and correctly to ensure that there are no delays or other problems. The bag room agent, like other baggage handler jobs, will come under the management of the crew chief. To find out more about the work of a bag room baggage handler, read on.

Bag Room Baggage Handler Jobs

• Because of the nature of the airports, the baggage handler in the bag room may have to deal with the luggage from several flights at once as it is brought in by others with baggage handler jobs and it is up to them to read the labels and ensure that the correct baggage gets sent to the correct carousel. For this reason, good written and spoken English skills are required.

• These baggage handler jobs require the individual to be physically strong as they will be lifting large amounts of heavy luggage for extended periods of time. It is also essential for people with these baggage jobs to be able to work quickly as the baggage will be arriving quickly and the airport needs to deal with passengers as quickly as possible.

• Another aspect of these baggage handler jobs is that they will also involve taking the baggage from check in and loading it onto the correct cart to ensure that the baggage handler loads it onto the correct aeroplane.

• People with these baggage handler jobs need to be able to work quickly and in an organised manner to minimise delays. Physical strength is required as well as good spoken and written English. The baggage handler will be directly responsible for any freight or baggage that is lost of damaged.

You can search for a wide range of baggage jobs here on Airport Jobs.

When it comes to baggage jobs, the crew chief is at the top of the tree and oversees the entire range of baggage handler jobs, reporting to his management in the process. To find out more about these baggage handler jobs, read on.

Crew Chief Baggage Jobs

• Baggage handler jobs carry with them an inherent danger as the baggage handler will be operating in small spaces, around aeroplanes and other heavy machinery, as well as having to lift heavy loads. The crew chief’s primary role then is to ensure that the baggage handler stays safe while performing his role.

• These baggage jobs are concerned with ensuring that the baggage handler does his job correctly and quickly so that all the bags are loaded on the correct plane in the correct way, nothing gets lost and there is the absolute minimum of delays.

• Any discrepancies that are found in these baggage jobs such as lost luggage etc. will have to be reported to the manager and the crew chief and/or the baggage handler will be held responsible.

• The job of a crew chief carries with it a lot more responsibilities than other baggage handler jobs and the pay will reflect this. Crew chief baggage handler jobs require the individual to be able to deal with busy, high pressure situations and work in a calm and organised way. The ability to work well under pressure is essential for these baggage jobs.

You can search for a wide range of baggage jobs here on Airport Jobs.

The job of a baggage handler is one of the most important airport jobs because the baggage handler team ensure that the passenger’s bags are loaded and unloaded in good time to ensure that the passenger turnaround can go as planned and the airport functions as it should. To find out more about a baggage jobs, read on.

Baggage Handler Jobs

• Like all airport jobs, it is essential that the baggage handler team can work quickly and effectively to minimise delays and ensure that all the passengers get their correct luggage. Those with baggage handler jobs will also be tasked with loading and unloading commercial cargo items.

• Those with baggage handler jobs need to be able to work under pressure and although baggage handler jobs may seem simple, they require just as much attentiveness and care as other airport jobs as even small delays can quickly escalate.

• Airport jobs like that of a baggage handler require employees to be physically strong. Although baggage handler jobs are available to both men and women, it is generally men that hold these baggage jobs as there is a large amount of heavy lifting for long periods of time.

• Baggage handler jobs often require shift work because airports are active 24 hours a day. Many baggage handler jobs also work a ‘condensed week’ which means that the baggage handler may work three shifts of 12hours rather than 5 shifts of 8 hours and then have three days off. Adaptability is the key to baggage jobs and weekend shifts are common.

• It is common for a baggage handler to have to work in lots of cramped spaces. Baggage jobs need to be done regardless of the weather conditions so those with baggage handler jobs should expect to have to work in the summer heat as well as the winter cold and rain.

• You can search for baggage handler jobs here on Airport Jobs. The average salary for these baggage jobs is roughly £14k pa rising to £18kpa. Like all airport jobs, especially those that deal directly with aeroplanes, safety is the key and a baggage handler needs to observe strict health and safety guidelines.