It has never been the job of flight attendants to lift passenger carry-on items unto the overhead compartments of aircraft. Even 5-star airlines forbid their cabin crew from doing so for safety reasons. If you are an abled passenger, do not order the flight attendant to lift your luggage unto the overhead bin of the aircraft. That is your job as a passenger. Your belongings are your responsibility.
However in some airlines, flight attendants are simply encouraged to lend assistance to passengers with disabilities, senior citizens, pregnant women, and incapacitated individuals. Now what do we mean by this? Just like the picture above, both the flight attendant and the passenger both lift the luggage unto the compartment.
Now, if you really can’t stow it unto the OSB, then simply put it under your seat. Or the best thing is to check them in.
Now if you want to see proof that almost all airlines forbid flight attendants from lifting passenger luggage unto the overhead compartment, you may read that here. What are the reasons though?
Flight attendants have to be in tiptop shape incase of an emergency
The primary duty of flight attendants is to ensure passenger safety and security on board. They do also ensure passengers are comfortable without having to compromise safety which is top priority. If flight attendants were mandated to lift passenger luggage to the overhead bins, then that would mean lifting 7kgs 50 times per leg of flight. Two legs then that will mean 100 repetitions. These may have long term back problems on flight attendants which is a safety concern of airlines. Its just like waiting for a time-bomb to go off!
This is why airlines never mandate their flight attendants to lift passenger luggage unto the overhead compartments. They have to be in top shape incase of any emergency which will need their full strength to get more than a hundred passengers to safety in less than 90 seconds.
It is a health risk for flight attendants
In relation to the first point, the repetitive lifting of passenger luggage unto the overhead compartments have already caused injuries to flight attendants. Not only has it become costly for airlines, but they end up facing undermanned flights, forcing them to cancel flights or to reduce capacity. Imagine lifting 7kgs or 15lbs 50 times in a single leg. That would mean 100 repetitions of lifting 7kgs in a day. If they fly four legs a day like domestic flights, that would mean 200 repetitions in a day. This translates to lifting 1,400kgs! Why 50? That’s the maximum ratio of passengers to a cabin crew.
How about those who are physically challenged like incapacitated individuals, seniors, pregnant women, and height challenged people? If a passenger is unable to lift the luggage, then they are encouraged to just put them under the seat or to check them in. They may also request for assistance from flight attendants. This means that both flight attendant and passenger lifts the luggage unto the overhead compartment. However if you are an abled passenger, then they have the right to decline.
As part also of safety protocols due to covid-19 transmission
While flight attendants are now geared up with PPEs, face masks, gloves, and also face shields for some, how sure are we that every passenger who boards the aircraft are not infected with Covid-19. Some may be asymptomatic. Hence, if you asked the flight attendant to lift your luggage, how sure are you that the luggage he or she lifted prior to yours is not own by an infected person. This is also why some airlines totally forbids flight attendants from even touching passenger luggage. This is to prevent any transmission on board.
Airlines are now exercising protocols of less contact while this pandemic is raging.
And for crying out loud, if you can carry it from your home to your car to the airport, then you can carry it yourself
Lets just end that “entitled” crap thing. It was never part of a flight attendant’s job to lift passenger luggage unto the overhead stowage bin so lets not force the issue anymore. If you can pack it, then you can stack it. Plain and simple.
About Post Author
