I believe that airlines are as much to blame for the general quality of service that they receive as the handling agent is.
When the main criteria for awarding contracts is the cheapest quote then what else can you expect. For a handling agent to reduce their charges they have to cut back somewhere, less equipment, older vehicles, less staff and lower paid staff.
Handling agents were foolish to cut their margins to the bone to win contracts when the airlines could afford to pay higher fees, now airlines are tightening the old belts a bit and the handling agents are being squeezed to breaking point.
On a different note ( i know it's a little off track)
Has anyone else noticed that there seems to be a 'little aircraft syndrome' amongst some pilots. By this i mean that on the whole the smaller the aircraft is the more highly strung the captain is.
I know plently of pilots who prove this wrong on an individual basis, but i am sure that most dispatchers will know what i mean.