Baggage Handlers Industrial Action
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Keeping The Enema Bandit in line
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I'm talking about the ones with the plastic handles, not the love handles! The ones we seem to handle I imagine would be around the 15 to 20 kg mark with the occassional heavy one but then if you can't lift it by yourself, you get someone to help you. 
Join Date: Apr 2007
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EBD
That's spot on. QF9 Mel-Sin would average out to approx 16kg.
QF93 Mel-Lax would come in slightly heavier around the 19-20kg,
that's working on about 10-12 containers and 30 bags per container.
You would get the occasional group check in for the States with an average of 20-25kg. I've never seen an average bag weight for a QF flight exceed 22kg.
That's spot on. QF9 Mel-Sin would average out to approx 16kg.
QF93 Mel-Lax would come in slightly heavier around the 19-20kg,
that's working on about 10-12 containers and 30 bags per container.
You would get the occasional group check in for the States with an average of 20-25kg. I've never seen an average bag weight for a QF flight exceed 22kg.
& probably close to the mark!
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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How about prescribing the baggage handlers a big mug of
>>Harden the F*** Up!!! <<
These days of using the OH&S excuse this, political correctness that...
blah blah blah
>>Harden the F*** Up!!! <<
These days of using the OH&S excuse this, political correctness that...
blah blah blah
Join Date: Jul 2004
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I think its more of a ploy to have QF employ additional ramp staff. As flights, and the size of aircraft have increased, QF have been reducing the number of baggage/ramp staff in MEL over the last couple of years. When sh*t hits the fan, (thunderstorm/fog) the operation takes alot longer than it used to to get back on track as there is only just enough staff to cover the planned workload.
Join Date: Jul 2007
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My bag weighs 7.5kg. That leaves me with 12.5kg. 2 pairs shoes, 2 pair jeans, 5 shirts, 4 T shirts, undies for 5 days, toilet bag , socks and talc powder. Have to leave the straps and chains behind.
Join Date: Apr 2005
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I guess you could save some weight by halving the amount of undies you take by turning them inside out and getting a second days wear out of them...
Join Date: Sep 2006
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'EBD' in actual fact you can get 4 days per undies, although that being the case the baggage handlers wouldn't go near yr bags/cases upon arrivla back home, hey there's an idea, stink 'em out !
CW
CW
Join Date: Apr 2002
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When I was on the ramp, we worked in a 6 man team. One supervising, one driving and helping out, two for the front and two for the back. During a shift the same people would be at the same hold, and you would alternate the heavy lifting. Someone would load on one flight in the hold, and for the next they would be outside putting the bags on the conveyer belt.
The company has moved away from this system, to a system that works by making up a different team for each flight. So potentially someone could be working inside the hold a lot more often.
The company has also cut the manpower numbers, so also this hasn't helped the situation. I think this is more to do with manpower cuts, and o.h and s warnings are the only thing the company will take notice of.
I didn't see Tracey on ACA, but has anyone tried to carry a 32kg (Samsonite) bag throught the terminal without using a trolley or using the wheels on the bag.
The company has moved away from this system, to a system that works by making up a different team for each flight. So potentially someone could be working inside the hold a lot more often.
The company has also cut the manpower numbers, so also this hasn't helped the situation. I think this is more to do with manpower cuts, and o.h and s warnings are the only thing the company will take notice of.
I didn't see Tracey on ACA, but has anyone tried to carry a 32kg (Samsonite) bag throught the terminal without using a trolley or using the wheels on the bag.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: In a time warp
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Whilst at LST, average bags were around the 17- 20kg mark for DJ. But you sure knew if you got a 32kg and didnt notice the heavy sticker. ouch! I only found it hard on bags over 25kg as i'm not a big person. The worst part of the job is in the hold on your knees and trying to lift the extra heavy bags up around chest height or up to the roof of the hold, if you haven't got room to have it on the floor.
I think 2okg is a bit lame though, maybe 25? Anyway - the piece on ACA was total crap.
Oh and those bloody heavy crew bags, should leave them on the tarmac lol.
I think 2okg is a bit lame though, maybe 25? Anyway - the piece on ACA was total crap.
Oh and those bloody heavy crew bags, should leave them on the tarmac lol.
Wally said:
I dunno about THAT. My missus weighs a hell of a lot less than 77kgs..............so I guess that means she's not really an 'average bag'. 
Anyway, what would CASA know about that sort of thing?
average 'bag' weighs? well according to CASA's official estimate for the purpose of weights, 77 kg's
Anyway, what would CASA know about that sort of thing?
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Devonport Tasmania Australia
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Sorry sportsfans, but I can't feel to sorry for today's bag snatchers.
It was normal procedure here in NW TAS in the TN days to chuck bags well above 20kgs into F27s. That and some fairly ugly freight including radioactive mercury that weighed 60K a box (2 loading of course).
Then there were the film cans for the Cinema - about 25kgs each - Old Col, our part time porter at Wynyard was over 80 and could carry and chuck 2 at a time. Also core filters from the Acid Factory.
The traffic/loco blokes did the majority of the carting. Never an injury probem. Never.
In the East West days, the trafficies were crawling around in the back lockers of F28-3000 and 4000 ladies stacking up to 2000kgs a morning of live crayfish in 20kg boxes in fairly tight conditions at speed on a 25 minute turnaround, plus of course baggage and other freight.
Then there is the larger holds of the 146 and the lower loading door. They were much harder work, but it all happened as it always had back to the days of the Viscounts, DC3s and 4's.
Guess what? We never NEVER had a staff member off with back problems.
I do feel sorry - so bloody sorry - for the Tarmac Lawyers who are now complaining about the stresses of stuffing cans on a trolley that will eventually be delivered to the aeroplane and hydraulically lifted into the beast.
The bulk old must be stressful, as must be the narrow bodies. Manual input is required after the bag comes off the conveyor. Quel domage. Thank God for the magic carpet in some aeroplanes.
The total wankers union and their partners have generally been a thorn in the side of a decent operation, but this is a total rubbish call.
It aint that hard girls.
Get over it and figure out how you can support the company that supports you despite their faults.
If you can't hump 30kgs, go work in the staff canteen.
Best all
EWL
It was normal procedure here in NW TAS in the TN days to chuck bags well above 20kgs into F27s. That and some fairly ugly freight including radioactive mercury that weighed 60K a box (2 loading of course).
Then there were the film cans for the Cinema - about 25kgs each - Old Col, our part time porter at Wynyard was over 80 and could carry and chuck 2 at a time. Also core filters from the Acid Factory.
The traffic/loco blokes did the majority of the carting. Never an injury probem. Never.
In the East West days, the trafficies were crawling around in the back lockers of F28-3000 and 4000 ladies stacking up to 2000kgs a morning of live crayfish in 20kg boxes in fairly tight conditions at speed on a 25 minute turnaround, plus of course baggage and other freight.
Then there is the larger holds of the 146 and the lower loading door. They were much harder work, but it all happened as it always had back to the days of the Viscounts, DC3s and 4's.
Guess what? We never NEVER had a staff member off with back problems.
I do feel sorry - so bloody sorry - for the Tarmac Lawyers who are now complaining about the stresses of stuffing cans on a trolley that will eventually be delivered to the aeroplane and hydraulically lifted into the beast.
The bulk old must be stressful, as must be the narrow bodies. Manual input is required after the bag comes off the conveyor. Quel domage. Thank God for the magic carpet in some aeroplanes.
The total wankers union and their partners have generally been a thorn in the side of a decent operation, but this is a total rubbish call.
It aint that hard girls.
Get over it and figure out how you can support the company that supports you despite their faults.
If you can't hump 30kgs, go work in the staff canteen.
Best all
EWL
Yeah, they are all pussies.
I used to love rolling in that asbestos stuff while getting sprayed with DDT.
I think the National standard for single person lifting is some where between 20 and 30 kg.
It's repetitive work while bent over [sometimes].
No-one wants back problems give em a break.
AA
I used to love rolling in that asbestos stuff while getting sprayed with DDT.
I think the National standard for single person lifting is some where between 20 and 30 kg.
It's repetitive work while bent over [sometimes].
No-one wants back problems give em a break.
AA
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try it and see
For all those that are going down the 'pussies / harder the f**k up road' - you are being rather ignorant of how much strain the humble bag chucker puts on his/her body each day. 
Sure we can all talk about how much harder it was 'back in the day' when you saw Jim Bob load 4000kgs of lobster with one hand on his own during a 15min turn and he never got injured.. but the fact is the human body is not designed to work in confined areas constantly repeating the twisting and lifting motions that working in an aircraft requires. It will do damage eventually. Aircraft holds are not specially built to stack bags and freight into.
Something can be said about the level of education that baggage handlers require in the manual handling discipline. Far too often the people who get injured are the ones that don't stretch or warm up and show poor technique. Who's fault is this?
20kg limit? Not necessary. You just need to make sure that check in staff remember to put the bloody heavy tags on the bags!!
32kg limit - I understand. After about 10 of those bastards on you knees, you tend to feel a bit sore.
Peace out!
Sure we can all talk about how much harder it was 'back in the day' when you saw Jim Bob load 4000kgs of lobster with one hand on his own during a 15min turn and he never got injured.. but the fact is the human body is not designed to work in confined areas constantly repeating the twisting and lifting motions that working in an aircraft requires. It will do damage eventually. Aircraft holds are not specially built to stack bags and freight into.Something can be said about the level of education that baggage handlers require in the manual handling discipline. Far too often the people who get injured are the ones that don't stretch or warm up and show poor technique. Who's fault is this?
20kg limit? Not necessary. You just need to make sure that check in staff remember to put the bloody heavy tags on the bags!!
32kg limit - I understand. After about 10 of those bastards on you knees, you tend to feel a bit sore. Peace out!
Join Date: Apr 2007
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na i thinking you all got it wrong. you see 32 kgs means that there is more stuff in between the good stuff that they can steal. now that makes it far more easier to get to the good stuff if there is not so much as the other stuff. and dont forget that this guys get paid very good money to seal your stuff. we cant have them breaking a nail now can we. they make me 
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