Skycaps Losing Big Time As Airlines Charge Baggage Fees

Tracing their history back to the tradition of the Pullman porters during the railroad era, skycaps used to be decent-income jobs for African Americans who supplemented their meager wages with tips – enough to buy their own homes and send their children to college.

Today, that reality is becoming more like a dream for skycaps across the country, according to a Los Angeles Times article. [Read more]

Airlines “Fee”(d) on Passengers – $2 Bag Fee for Skycap Services

In the latest in a long string of new fees imposed on passengers, many airlines have now chosen to charge passengers a new $2 per bag fee for skycap services.

The airline race to the bottom hurts their low-wage workers too. After airlines implemented a $2 per bag fee for skycap services – which used to be complimentary – many skycaps report that they have lost as much as 60% of their income, as passengers now tip less or not at all.

Skycaps also report longer lines as passengers avoid the bag fee. And after Boston skycaps sued [Read more]